The path is now clear for a larger patriotic movement, after members of Advance UK voted decisively to throw in their lot with the Great British PAC. The merger unites the two behind a single mission: campaigning, policy development, legal action and public advocacy.
The numbers were emphatic. Of the 7,363 votes cast, 6,442 members backed the proposal while 921 opposed it — an 87 per cent endorsement against 13 per cent opposition.
Voting opened on 5 June and was held open until 10pm on 7 June, with the deadline extended so that as many members as possible could take part. Independent verifier David Atherton certified the outcome on 8 June.
The membership ballot followed a green light from the Advance UK College, the organisation’s elected governing body, which had already endorsed the proposal before putting the question to members at large.
Advance UK leader Ben Habib hailed the outcome as a “clear and strong result” and thanked members for what he described as a strong mandate for change.
Under the proposal, Advance UK will join the Great British PAC, a cross-party body that works to shape public policy, back legal challenges and build campaigns on questions it judges to be in the national interest.
Those championing the move say it lets the movement wield greater influence by reaching across party lines and concentrating on practical results rather than electoral politics alone.
A campaign that made the PAC’s name
The Great British PAC has earned particular prominence through its fight against the Government’s proposed handover of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands. To delay ratification of the deal, the organisation has supported judicial review proceedings for the Chagossians, commissioned polling, drawn up policy proposals and assembled cross-party support in Parliament.
Its work has reached well beyond Westminster. The PAC helped organise the democratic election that chose Misley Mandarin as Interim First Minister of the Chagossian Government-in-Exile, assisted in setting up that administration, and supported legal action that won court protections allowing Chagossians currently living on the islands to stay there while their case is heard.
Claire Bullivant, Chief Executive of the Great British PAC, welcomed the decisive vote by Advance UK members to support the proposal.
She said: “We are absolutely delighted by this result and grateful for the confidence that Advance UK members have placed in this vision.
“The Great British PAC was built on a simple principle: Britain’s problems cannot wait until the next election cycle. We need people willing to act now.
“We are not a political party and we are not interested in tribal politics. We work with anyone prepared to do the right thing for Britain. The PAC’s loyalty is not to a party, but to the country itself.
“The Chagos campaign has demonstrated what can be achieved when determined patriots come together behind a common cause. We have worked with Conservatives, Reform, Liberal Democrats, the DUP, independent parliamentarians and Labour MPs such as Graham Stringer because achieving results matters more than party labels.
“By developing policy, supporting legal action, commissioning polling, building public support and creating cross-party coalitions, we have shown that citizens can influence national debate and hold decision-makers to account.
“Bills, amendments and campaigns are far more powerful when they have support from across the political spectrum. It’s remarkable what can be achieved when patriots from different parties put the country first and work together.
“Advance UK members bring enormous talent, experience and passion. They are patriots through and through and we are excited to welcome them into the PAC. Together, we will continue to build a movement focused relentlessly on outcomes, defending Britain’s interests, challenging bad decisions wherever they come from and supporting good ideas wherever they emerge.”
A ballot not without controversy
The vote did not pass off entirely smoothly. According to Advance UK, an internal dispute flared during the voting period after the party’s former Interim Chief Operating Officer, Tim Power, circulated an email challenging aspects of the proposal and raising concerns about governance and procedure.
Advance UK said Mr Power was subsequently removed from his role and alleged that he tried to disrupt the ballot. The organisation said the matter had been referred to lawyers and that legal action might follow.
Mr Power has previously questioned the legality of the process and flagged concerns over governance arrangements. Advance UK says those issues are now in the hands of its legal advisers and that it remains confident all necessary governance, legal and regulatory processes are being followed appropriately.
Whatever the disagreement, members ultimately delivered their verdict by a substantial margin.
Mr Habib said the result would let the movement keep pursuing its goals through a larger organisation, while leaving open the option of a future political vehicle should circumstances demand one.
“Joining with the Great British Political Action Committee gives us greater reach and greater strength to fight for the things that brought us together,” he said.
He also paid tribute to the volunteers and staff who worked through the weekend helping members and running the ballot.
What happens next
The two organisations will now start working through the practical steps needed to complete the transition. Supporters argue the merger will forge a larger patriotic movement able to develop policy, support legal action, build public campaigns and work with politicians from every party in pursuit of specific objectives.
More detail on membership arrangements, governance structures and future campaigns is expected to follow in the coming weeks as the transition moves forward.