United for Change (UfC) is a British political movement, founded on a centrist platform.[2][3][4][5] The movement gained attention after fundraising through large donations from philanthropists and donors was reported.[6][7][8] Although only launched in August 2018, it had reportedly been in the process of development for at least a year.[9] It has subsequently been rebranded as the United Party for its launch as a political party.
United for Change | |
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Founded | August 2018 (officially) |
Headquarters | 5th Floor Orwell House, 16-18 Berners Street, London, W1T 3LN[1] |
Ideology | Centrism |
Political position | Centre |
Website | |
unitedforchange formerly: www www | |
In April 2018, British press reported that former Labour donor Simon Franks had set up a company, the Project One Movement, aimed at potentially forming a political party and fielding candidates at an election.[7] It received commitments of roughly £5 million in funding from founders, and was compared to En Marche! in France.[10][11] In August 2018, United for Change was launched as the political campaign name of the Project One Movement.[12]
In late August 2018, one of the founders of the movement Adam Knight left to set up his own political organisation.[13][14] He later voiced his support for the Liberal Democrats.[15] The founders of United for Change are Simon Franks, Dr Saima Rana, Alex Chesterman OBE, Richard Reed CBE, Ceawlin Thynn, Ryan Wain, James Woolf.[citation needed]
Simon Franks has said he wants to make United for Change a grassroots movement,[16] with the aim of launching United for Change as a registered political party just after Brexit.[17]
As of June 2019, it has reportedly scaled back its ambition to win the next general election as a new party but still seeks to launch fully as a political movement once Brexit is resolved.[18]