Residents Action Movement
Residents Action Movement | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Oliver Woods and Grant Brookes |
| President | Grant Morgan |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Dissolved | May 2010 |
| Headquarters | Auckland |
| Ideology | Democratic Socialism |
| International affiliation | None |
| Colours | Sky blue, white |
| MPs in the House of Representatives | None |
| Website | |
| Official Website | |
The Residents Action Movement (or RAM) was a political party in New Zealand. RAM described itself as "a mass membership, broad left, grassroots movement of social change."[1] Its national chair was Grant Morgan and its Co-Leaders were Oliver Woods and Grant Brookes.
History
Foundation
RAM was formed in 2003 out of dissatisfaction by Auckland community activists with the control of local body politics by centre-left Labour-supported City Vision and centre-right National-supported Citizens and Ratepayers.
RAM ran eight candidates for Auckland Regional Council in the 2004 local body elections, and polled over 87,000 votes. One candidate, Robyn Hughes, was elected to the ARC.
2007 Auckland Local Elections
RAM expanded its activities in the 2007 Auckland local body elections, running seven candidates for the Auckland Regional Council and six for Auckland City Council, as well as candidates for Auckland's three District Health Boards and Auckland City community boards. Despite receiving more than 117,016 votes Auckland wide, no RAM candidates were elected. In the Auckland Regional Council elections, its vote decreased, from 87,000 to 76,000.[2] Across the board, the right made gains in Greater Auckland's 2007 council elections at the expense of both the centre-left (Labour-aligned tickets) and the left (RAM).
2008 Parliamentary Elections
In early 2008, RAM began to actively recruit to meet the 500 party member threshold required by the New Zealand Electoral Commission for party registration. Later in the year it achieved more than 2000 registered members, to contest the 2008 elections. It applied for a broadcasting allocation.[3]
The party was registered by the Electoral Commission on 29 July 2008.[4]
RAM received 465 party votes in the 2008 Parliamentary elections, coming second-to-last.
Policies
RAM advocated a policy of free and frequent public transport, with the aims of alleviating traffic congestion, allowing improved transport means for Auckland residents and fighting against climate change. The other core messages of RAM were reducing rates on homeowners, shifting local taxation onto big business,[5] and removing GST from food.[6] The organisation had a very strong policy of anti-racism and particularly of supporting Muslim migrants to integrate into New Zealand society. It also called for an "Auckland parliament" to co-ordinate local democracy in Auckland's five local cities, as an alternative to what it sees as an undemocratic "Super-City" body.[7]
RAM also organised against racism and Islamophobia in the city.[8] They have sponsored peace marches in Auckland with Global Peace and Justice Auckland.[9]
Demise
In May 2010 the party was deregistered by the Electoral Commission at its own request.[10]
References
- ↑ "The RAM Plan (PDF)". 2008-07-01. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
- ↑ Declaration of result of election for the Auckland Regional Council 2007 elections, ARC, 17 october 2007
- ↑ Commission to hear parties on broadcasting time and funding
- ↑ "Electoral Commission meeting summary". New Zealand Electoral Commission. 2008-07-29. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
- ↑ RAM stands in 2007 council elections
- ↑ "Taking GST off food big help to family budgets" Howick and Pakuranga Times, 21 April 2008.
- ↑ Orsman, Bernard (9 September 2006). "Supersized rates bill for super city". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
- ↑ Scoop: Leaders abhor mag's negative Muslim stereotyping
- ↑ Please take a stand for peace!
- ↑ "Amendments to the Registers of Political Parties and Logos". New Zealand Electoral Commission. 2010-06-04. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
External links
See also
Category:Residents Action Movement politicians
