More United will raise funds for candidates that support a core set of progressive principles

Paddy Ashdown has announced the formation of a new cross-party progressive platform, More United.

Speaking on the Andrew Marr show this morning, Ashdown said that the movement is for people who ‘hate to see our country dragged away to the extremes’ and ‘want a means, not necessarily through a political party to express their views.’

More United — its name taken from the late Jo Cox’s maiden speech in parliament —will use crowdfunding to provide financial support to progressive candidates from across the party space, with a view to ‘creating a new centre of political gravity in the UK.’

The movements core principles are:

A fair, modern, efficient market based economy that closes the gap between rich and poor and supports strong public services

A modern democracy that empowers citizens, rather than politicians

A green economy that protects the environment and works to reverse climate change

An open and tolerant society where diversity is celebrated in all its forms

A United Kingdom that welcomes immigration, international co-operation and a close relationship with the EU

Ashdown also made clear that if a second EU referendum were to be held, More United would campaign against Brexit.

More United has not begun fundraising yet, but is inviting supporters to join. According to Ashdown, if more than 25,000 people have signed up by September, they will launch the next phase.

As you’re here, we have something to ask you. What we do here to deliver real news is more important than ever. But there’s a problem: we need readers like you to chip in to help us survive. We deliver progressive, independent media, that challenges the right’s hateful rhetoric. Together we can find the stories that get lost.

We’re not bankrolled by billionaire donors, but rely on readers chipping in whatever they can afford to protect our independence. What we do isn’t free, and we run on a shoestring. Can you help by chipping in as little as £1 a week to help us survive? Whatever you can donate, we’re so grateful - and we will ensure your money goes as far as possible to deliver hard-hitting news.