The Alternative UK was launched on March 1st, 2017, as a "political platform" inspired by the Danish party Alternativet (the "co-initiators" are Pat Kane and Indra Adnan). Under the slogan, "Politics Is Broken - What's The Alternative?", A/UK (as it is abbreviated) is a space of networks, events and editorial media (see the daily blog). Its aim is to refresh the practice and reimagine the language of politics, currently defined by the bubble of the "Two Percent" (ie, that percentage of the population who are currently members of official political parties, and share their culture and priorities). By facilitating localities (from parishes to cities) to express their deep needs and aspirations, as fully-human and complex citizens, The Alternative UK hopes to grow a new culture for citizenship and empowerment on these islands, and beyond. See more at The Alternative UK website here.
In 2012, after being active in the Scottish independence movement for over 20 years, Pat was asked to join the board of Yes Scotland, the lead campaigning organisation for a "Yes" vote in the Scottish Independence Referendum of September 18th, 2014.
Pat was a regular advocate on UK and international media, both electronic and written, for the Yes cause. Scots voted against Independence by 55% to 45% on the day - but Scottish politics, and arguably UK politics, has never been the same since.
Part of Pat's commitment to independence was supporting the development of citizens' media outlets, which sprang up during the indy campaign. He maintains this commitment by his writing for pro-independence newspaper The National (launched a few months after the referendum result), and in his board memberships of Common Weal and Bella Caledonia.
Launched on 11th April, 2015, Move On Trident was a multi-media campaign, in partnership with the Compass network and think-tank. Its aim was to put pressure on Westminster MPs who were considering the renewal of the Trident nuclear missile/submarine system (they eventually voted it through on 18th July 2016).
The campaign generated strong media coverage, pulling in supportive figures like the Nobellist Peter Higgs, Helena Kennedy QC, Vivienne Westwood, Frankie Boyle, Massive Attack, Sir Micheal Atiyah, and others.
An animated video for Move On Trident, with music by Young Fathers, was also produced (see below):