Preceded by Vacant Preceded by Vacant Education University of Glamorgan | Preceded by Position established Majority Co-option Party Pirate Party UK | |
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Born 1 February 1987 (age 30)
South Wales ( 1987-02-01 ) Political party Pirate Party UK (2014–present) Alma mater University of Glamorgan | ||
David "Dave" A Elston, is an activist and politician and described as a parentician in the same style that Birgitta Jónsdóttir is described as a poetician. Elston was Deputy Leader of Pirate Party UK from 7 July 2015 to 28 February 2016.
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Elston has given interviews and campaigned on digital rights, copyright law and civil liberties in the past.
Professional career
Elston has a University education. Elston is primarily qualified in IT but his education extends to Business, Admin, Management and Psychology.
Elston is also a founder and trustee for the charity SAINTS set up in St Athan to help improve the areas of play and set up the local Neighbourhood Watch
David is also currently a director of East Vale Residents Company Limited
Political career
David Anthony Elston is the first Pirate Party UK candidate in any level of Government. Elston founded the Wales branch; Pirate Party Wales which supports increased recognition of the Welsh language, including reform of the Welsh Language Act 1993 and free Welsh courses for all Welsh nationals. They also support further devolution to Wales and increased powers for the Welsh Assembly.
Elston supported the Green Party "rebel" and MEP candidate Andy Chyba's bid for Wales Green Party Leadership and shares Andy's view on being anti-fracking. Elston is an environmentalist but concedes that some popular environmentalist views are unsustainable.
Elston is an opponent to the IP Bill and has been on CNBC explaining our civil liberties are rapidly eroding.
Elston has been known to take part in some eco-activities such as a litter pick with the local school.
Elston was first elected uncontested as a Governor on the Board of Governors of the Pirate Party UK in January 2015 and 15 April 2015 was announced to be the official Pirate Party UK candidate in the 2015 General Election, where he signed the Muscular Dystrophy UK Manifesto along with the Frack Free Promise from Greenpeace and later received 106 votes (0.3%). Elston brought the Pirate Party into the same League as the established Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition and beat the National Front (UK).
As a member of Pirate Party UK, Elston has been in press intermittently but mostly advocates for increased Openness at all levels of government and is a believer in Direct Democracy. Elston expresses that Pirates should focus on winning in local elections first. Naturally with a name like Pirate Party, the press often feature Elston with other unusual parties.
In 2016 Elston was successful in his co-option to become a Community Councillor for the ward of Flemingston and Eglwys Brewis on the St Athan Community Council and gives comment in local press around local issues such as road safety.
In July 2016 the UK release of Pokemon Go was announced and Elston was invited to an interview with Russian Military TV regarding the dangers of its data gathering.
Elston was re-elected Deputy Leader in 2017
Electoral Performance
Parliamentary elections
Community elections
Internal elections