The Alliance for Democracy and Freedom (ADF) is a minor political party in the United Kingdom led by Mark Conway. It has been broadly described as "conspiracy-oriented", "anti-vaccine", and "radical right".
Alliance for Democracy and Freedom | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | ADF |
| President | Mike Hookem |
| Leader | Mark Conway |
| Deputy Leader | Dr Teck Khong |
| Founded | 20 August 2020 |
| Headquarters | 328 Shaw Road Oldham, Lancashire OL1 4WH |
| Political position | Right-wing |
| Colours | Blue |
| Website | |
| https://adfparty.uk/ | |
History
editThe Alliance for Democracy and Freedom was registered as a political party in 2020.[1] The party was co-founded by Mike Hookem, a former Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the UK Independence Party (UKIP), who served as the party's first chairman. It was described as an "anti-lockdown party".[2][3]
The party targets voters disillusioned with the mainstream establishment parties, claiming to stand for freedom of speech and calling for the UK to withdraw from all “non-democratic supranational bodies” including the UN, the WHO, the IMF and NATO.[2] It has stated that “ADF Candidates are not whipped", and are free to serve local residents and businesses, if elected.[4]
At the 2023 local elections, 23 candidates were nominated for the ADF, including former UKIP candidate Mark Vallance, who had posted online about "eradicating" Muslims, and former British National Party (BNP) candidate Colin Burrows.[5][6]
The party stood candidates in nine constituencies at the 2024 general election, polling a total of 1,586 votes.[7] Dr Teck Khong, a GP and former police surgeon for the Leicestershire force, who also served as the party's leader at the time, stood in Melton and Syston.[8] He placed seventh with 348 votes (0.8%).[9]
In the May 2025 local elections, the ADF fielded 6 candidates across England, securing no seats.[10]
At the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, the ADF fielded three constituency and four regional candidates, polling 2,385 votes overall.[2][11] David Ballantine contested the 2026 Aberdeen South by-election for the ADF; he placed seventh with 59 votes (0.2%).[12]
References
edit- ↑ "Alliance for Democracy and Freedom - The Electoral Commission". search.electoralcommission.org.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 "No alliance: The fringe parties competing for Scotland's votes". Holyrood Website. 2 April 2026. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ Gerrard, Joseph (2 May 2023). "The candidates standing from outside big three in local elections". Hull Live. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "Preston local elections 2023: Mini manifestos for city's Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem, Green and Independent parties". Blog Preston. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ Gregory (2 May 2023). "Local Elections 2023: Candidate Round-up". HOPE not hate. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ Searchlight (28 April 2023). "Searchlight analysis: Fascist and far right candidates in local elections, May 2023 | Searchlight". Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "UK Parliament election results: Results for the UK general election on 4 July 2024 - Elections contested by Alliance for Democracy and Freedom". UK Parliament election results. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "ELECTION 2024: Dr Teck Khong - Alliance for Democracy and Freedom (Melton & Syston candidate)". Melton Times. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "Melton and Syston - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ Candidates; Data (29 April 2025). "2025 local election candidate data summary". democracyclub.org.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ Bridges, Elliot (6 December 2026). "Scottish Parliament elections 2026". House of Commons Library.
- ↑ "Harbouring ambition: Voters' hopes ahead of Aberdeen South by-election". BBC News. 9 June 2026. Retrieved 16 June 2026.