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Why I resigned from the WikiLeaks party - Daniel Matthews
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/22/wikileaks-julian-assangeI was a member of the WikiLeaks party national council and have been a friend of Julian Assange since university. Here is why I am resigning from my position
I am resigning my position on the national council of the WikiLeaks party.
There are several reasons for this resignation, detailed below, but they have been simmering for some time. The WikiLeaks party has arguably suffered serious problems from the outset, being pulled in radically different directions from its base and membership, on the one hand, and the figurehead and associates on the other. These contradictions must eventually resolve themselves, and my resignation today is part of that resolution.
The immediate cause of my resignation, however, is the recent fiasco over senate preferences. The preferences submitted to the Electoral Commission caused a catastrophic loss to the party, including a great deal of distress for members and volunteers who I greatly respect. I have given the party time to put out a statement on the matter, and an independent review has already been announced. However it was immediately undermined. In a desperate move, several members of the council attempted to convene an emergency meeting — to no avail. The public, and supporters, deserve to know what has happened. As such, I have written this account myself, alone.
Preferences had been a simmering issue for some time. Views differed within the party, but in order to understand what follows, it is important to note the structure of the party.
Under the party constitution, the national council of the party is its governing body, ultimately responsible for its actions and overall direction. Its decisions are binding on the party. It has 11 members, including myself — a founding member of WikiLeaks — as well as the founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, and his father John Shipton.
I am resigning my position on the national council of the WikiLeaks party.
There are several reasons for this resignation, detailed below, but they have been simmering for some time. The WikiLeaks party has arguably suffered serious problems from the outset, being pulled in radically different directions from its base and membership, on the one hand, and the figurehead and associates on the other. These contradictions must eventually resolve themselves, and my resignation today is part of that resolution.
The immediate cause of my resignation, however, is the recent fiasco over senate preferences. The preferences submitted to the Electoral Commission caused a catastrophic loss to the party, including a great deal of distress for members and volunteers who I greatly respect. I have given the party time to put out a statement on the matter, and an independent review has already been announced. However it was immediately undermined. In a desperate move, several members of the council attempted to convene an emergency meeting — to no avail. The public, and supporters, deserve to know what has happened. As such, I have written this account myself, alone.
Preferences had been a simmering issue for some time. Views differed within the party, but in order to understand what follows, it is important to note the structure of the party.
Under the party constitution, the national council of the party is its governing body, ultimately responsible for its actions and overall direction. Its decisions are binding on the party. It has 11 members, including myself — a founding member of WikiLeaks — as well as the founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, and his father John Shipton.
Much, much more at link.
Sid
12 replies
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well worth the read. That whole Nazi party thing is really incredible. How does one accidentally preference a Nazi party? 
Bad enough that Assange wanted to align with the right wing. Says a lot about his character.
Theres an article linked to the one you posted where Assange is blaming all this on: I was busy trying to save a mans life! Speaking of Snowden. FFS, Julian, get over yourself. 