However, the party lost all its parliamentary representation in 2009, after a financial crisis hit the country.

The party was a strong supporter of the free market, against subsidies and monopolies, and in favour of civil liberties.

While Reykjavík-based large-scale fisheries became rich, some coastal villages that were dependent on draught became impoverished.

[citation needed] The party conducted a members' poll in January 2009 in order to determine its EU stance.

The party sought to represent those coastal villages that felt left out as the ownership of the quotas was consolidated in a few Reykjavík-based fisheries.

[6] The party supported Iceland's membership of NATO, but was firmly opposed to the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq.