Since the start of 2018 there has been something of a “down” feeling, even of depression, in some members. The media keep bashing their drum of “UKIP’s finished” and some branches have seen the momentum slowing down. Here at Head Office I thought we might need cheering up… so I’m here to sprinkle some magic happy dust.
Things really are looking up. We’ve had a thousand new members join UKIP in the last two weeks, and (fingers crossed) the membership will continue to rise (though don’t expect that rise to be on a constant upward curve; it doesn’t work like that).
This is partly because those who thought “UKIP’s done its job. We’ve got Brexit”, now realise we haven’t got it, we might not get it, and even if we do get it, the Brexit we’ll end up with won’t be the one we voted for. Mrs May is hamstrung by the splits in her own party. That’s the nub of it.
In those circumstances UKIP is the only game in town.
Also, of course, Gerard Batten is doing great things as the new Leader. Finances are healthy (though we always need more) and the Patrons are coming back on-board, helping to support the expected Autumn General Election campaign. Also, candidates are coming forward in many constituencies, so there is still a hunger to strap on a UKIP rosette… as the disaster of hapless Henry Bolton recedes into well-deserved obscurity. That man inflicted so much damage on UKIP it isn’t true.
But most of the reason for the recent surge in membership (and we’re getting new joiners from all around the world) is because three “internet warriors”, with millions of online followers between them, publicly announced two weeks ago they were all joining UKIP because of its stance on Freedom of Speech, and standing up against the Leftist PC agenda which is stifling public life.
I have no idea how long the surge in membership will last, but things are looking very encouraging from here. Stick with it. I think (certainly hope) things are looking up. It might take a while to translate to local level but it’s vitally important UKIP keeps the lights on. Pulling down the shutters is exactly what the opposition wants, and we have no intention of giving them that warm glow of satisfaction. Quite the opposite. We’re going to stick it up them.
There are various pieces in the Guardian and Independent etc currently trying to smear these three individuals as “extremist” or “alt Right” or even of wanting to “stage a coup”. Ignore them. A sure sign they are worried. When they start flinging mud, you know they’re needled and getting nasty. As the saying goes, there’s comfort in the familiar. It’s what the Left do. Play the man, not the ball. They wouldn’t be Left otherwise.
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The ‘expected General Election campaign’……………are you being serious. Highly unlikely I would have thought this side of 2022 and even more so this side of 29th March 2019, especially since the EU Withdrawal Bill gained royal assent. Theresa May is too afraid of the public to do that. A high risk strategy too far It ain’t gonna happen.
May screwed up in 2017 so maybe she will do it again. She is certainly not on the side of the (native) British people so anything is possible. She might even prefer a Labour government in place to take the flak.
We need to prepare for all possibilities.
Who was it who said: ‘First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.’? They missed out smearing – which is what’s happening now.
But we know we’re in the right and if we keep going, we’ll prove it to all the naysayers.
Ghandi?
Hello David
Your good news does not cheer me up. On the contrary it makes my membership renewal more unlikely. UKIP was formed as an anti EU party and drew is “strength” on that single policy. Listening to UKIP’s lacklustre leader (LLL) stating UKIP as being the only British Political Party that believes in the freedom of speech is not a general election vote winner. The Great British Voter need other policies to attract him/her and I doubt that Freedom of Speech (and Tommy Robinson) is high on his/her list.
I would suggest that the GBV is more interested in taxation (a wide subject that can include local government taxation), Police presence on the UK streets (the main view being law and order to which will include all UK residents complying with British Law), the NHS with local government after care (a wide topic) and education (both schools and apprenticeships etc.)
Leaving the EU is a priority for many GBVs who would like to see the UK leave the EU with no EU tentacles attached. When the UK does a trade deal with the US of A I would not expect the UK Judicial system to be bound to the US Supreme Court so why should the UK Judicial system be bound to EU courts which do not have the breadth of experience that the UK Judicial system has.
Finally David, how many UKIP branches have had increased membership numbers? Which UKIP regions are these branches in?
Regards
D. Turgoose
Well you really are a misery! Given where ukip has been in the last two years, David is spot on. Gerard, Tony and Sebastian have pulled us back from oblivion, and people of our beliefs now have a party to vote for again. Get used to the fact that we are not in government, are frozen out of most of the media, and are having to manoeuvre our way back into public consciousness. Of course leaving the EU is goal number one, and Gerard is saying plenty on that, but the sad fact is that there is a treacherous jellyfish as PM, and two thirds of the Commons are open or closet Remoaners. We must do the best we can with what we have.
Sussex man
G Batten wants UKIP on a General Election footing. What do we do? The same as the last waste two years and live on the result of the referendum. Get real and think about what happens after the UK leaves the EU. UKIP will be forgotten by the Great British Voter. There have been two wasted years with no indication from there lacklustre leadership on how it sees the future of UKIP. UKIP’s future has to be decided quickly. You might be happy about the lack of action, I am not. If trying to get UKIP’s head out of the sand makes me a misery then I am happy being a misery.
UKIP’s help during the 2017 general election was basically non existent and I would not like to see that lethargy repeated.
D.Turgoose
Sussex Man: I couldn’t agree more: We now have a credible leader in GB whom we can trust.
My local group for one are, I believe, soon to start street stalls again: plus the likes of Paul J Watson are reaching where the MSM won’t reach.
Incidentally my own big gripe has for years always been the ukip.org website. Anyone looking at it wouldn’t learn much. Why not add to it some of the material eg from this website and Kipper Central?
I see Ebeneezer Scrooge is alive and well 🤣
Ebeneezer Scrooge changed to be more positive. Will UKIP.change to become more positive?
David T It was touch and go whether the patient would live or die only a few months ago. One consultant had to be dismissed from service for his sheer incompetence and messing around with the nurses. Totally incapacitated and on life support, the patient came through this dark period with the nuturing skill and patience of a new committed consultant and his selected team. Great spiritual help and support was given from close family.
The patient is now out of bed and gaining strength daily. The consultant and his team expect the patient to make a full recovery but added that these things do take time and particulary after such a trauma.
Maxima enim, patientia virtus
I would suggest that the average reader would not know what a GBV is. For your enlightenment see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guided_by_Voices or the numerous references to Gender Based Violence.
If he wished to do so, would Tommy Robinson be permitted to join UKIP?
If there are restrictions on former members of other parties joining, would it be wise to also bar former Lib Dems?
Thanks…but if we are going to have a membership drive and not just leave it to the new internet warriors and the disgruntled leave voters can we use the UKIP Facebook page and all the branch pages to have an appeal by Gerard to join us. If you look at the page ,just look at all the likes and followers,join in all the branch pages,plus the Internet warriors,FLA,Veterans against terrorism and maybe the Tommy Robinson page and you have maybe a couple of million like minded souls.
I suggested on another thread using the old Lord Kitchener appeal poster as a start…Your country needs you to join UKIP..as a start and this could be changed at election time to ..Your country needs you to vote UKIP.
Anyway good luck,keep up the fine work….also what are the membership numbers now ?