Whilst the Prime Minister, Theresa May, has not made things easy for herself, she has been dealt an unplayable hand, and it would have been just as bad, perhaps even worse, had she secured a workable majority in the 2017 general election. The current saviour of a proper Brexit are the DUP; more Conservative MPs may have taken the opposite view. In a sense, I have some sympathy for her predicament, though the lack of leadership and competence all round is likely to spell the end of her tenure sooner rather than later.
Of the suggested political solutions made by various parties, their tenor determined solely on whether they wish to remain or leave, none address the problem, which is:
The people made a firm decision to leave the EU, yet also populated the House of Commons with people who were determined to oppose that decision. The problem, although exacerbated by the Prime Minister, would remain, whoever were to take over the Conservative party leadership or the Prime Ministership.
The fact that MPs overwhelmingly voted for the referendum and to invoke Article 50, as well as passing the repeal bill, was illusory. It was a strategic move by people who would bide their time for a later opportunity to frustrate the referendum decision within a technically complicated parliamentary process that allows them to attribute all the blame to another party, currently Theresa May.
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If the Tories remove Mrs May and install Boris Johnson or anyone else as Prime Minister, a Brexit cabinet will be united, but the votes in the house for a clean Brexit still wouldn’t be there.
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If there is another referendum, it is highly likely that Leave would win with a greater majority, the rationale being that, when the referendum was won, Leave stopped campaigning but Remain continued with 80% of the airwaves and the press behind them. However, another referendum means another campaign, together with the enforcement of broadcasting impartiality. In the original referendum, those who voted to leave didn’t like the EU, its detachment, its intransigence or its undemocratic constitution. To that end, and as a Brexiteer, I give hearty congratulations to the EU, throughout the ‘negotiations’, in reinforcing the stereotype of a dictatorial classroom bully with exemplary exactitude.
If there is a general election, somebody will win most seats, but the overall make-up of the Commons in term of the anti-Brexit majority will remain. People tend to vote for parties and will return to form, or abstain, depending on how angry they are. There is no third option now that UKIP has left the field of play to court the anti-Muslim and anti-foreigner ‘Tommy Robinson’. Hardly a day now passes without a senior and longstanding UKIP member walking away. There is no time, even if the next general election were to be as late as 2022, for a new party to build the infrastructure and membership to contest a general election (though it is perfectly possible for European elections, should Article 50 be delayed, because of the voting mechanism).
This is a conundrum within which there appears to be no route to Brexit. The above options, and all others, work extremely well for remaining in the EU, but that’s not the mandate.
The answer is a coalition of independents.
Well, I say the answer, it may not be, but it is a feasible, practical and innovative solution, that could not only change the constitution of the House of Commons but also change the face of the political landscape forever. It would certainly cause a stir.
The impasse is inbuilt, with a Parliament that wants to remain, and an electorate that wants to leave. There is no certainty, that even if the Conservatives with a new leader, won a significant majority, those new MPs would be any more favourable to Brexit than the current crop.
The awful thought occurs, that with a big majority the Prime Minister may well have got her terrible deal passed.
If Parliament opposes the people, to achieve resolution one of them must change. Changing the referendum result is the purpose of the second referendum campaign. Nobody has considered a practical and feasible way of changing the other, until now.
I’m currently in the process of building the COI website, but there is much to do. We need supporters and helpers and we musts get the message out that there is an alternative. If you would like to help, then please let me know.
In part 2, I’ll explain more about how this would work in practice.
Read part 2 here.
If you would like to know more please contact me directly at david.allen@coailtionofindependents.org
I am so sad. I have met Dave Allen and he is a political activist and inspired to do something to help. Like so many others he is frustrated that no-one seems to be picking up the batten to finish the relay race. He has some good ideas like First-Two Past the Post that is so logical and decisive that no-one in Westminster could possibly support it without it destroying the present two-party system.
Like huge numbers of people, some who have stayed with UKIP-Daily and now Independence-Daily and many who have moved on. Some who have remained tribally dedicated to UKIP and many who have moved on. Most looking for a new party or cause to attach their future to.
The Democrat & Veterans Party is in the majority veterans and public service supporters, leaving non-veterans and non-public sector people feeling disenfranchised. The direct democracy heart of it doesn’t work with less than 1% of the membership actually engaging in the parliamentary bill debate blog.
UKIP is suffering from the deliberate starvation of the oxygen of publicity by the elitist supporting media, all part of the revolving doors of the capitals’ upper crust.
The problem as really outlined elsewhere is the 66% majority of the House of Commons who are Remainers, whilst 66% of constituencies voted Leave. Unfortunately when the vote comes on 12th January, Treason Chamberlaine May will make it quite clear that the choice is support her Remain-forever deal or reject it and head for a no-deal Brexit. About 85% of MPs will not accept a no-deal Brexit. That means that taking into account abstentions there will be a low vote and they will accept her deal. Remember 66% don’t like her deal and 85% don’t want no deal. Simple arithmetic. If by some ploy they avoid both options by an amendment or by delaying Article 50 or whatever we are then in dangerous territory. The House of Commons will in effect create a situation contrary to the will of the people in the Referendum/
it is then Parliament against the people and even many erstwhile Remainers realise the dangers of moving into a situation where Democracy has broken down. If there is no legal and peaceful way of resolving issues of governance between Parliament and the people we have anarchy and the prospect of civil war. It won’t be the people who have created this situation but those who supposedly represented us.
Does anyone know where Yellow Jackets can be obtained. i haven’t looked on Ebay or Amazon yet but I am sure there is a brisk market for them in the rest of Euroland.
I bought a yellow jacket on Ebay for £1.99 including postage yesterday. Look for EN471 standard since there are cheaper cut-down versions. I shall keep it my car on the parcel shelf.
I was given a yellow jacket for Christmas and I am fully prepared to use it!
I am sure you mean’t to write ‘baton’ as opposed to ‘Batten’. Isn’t he the same person who leads UKIP.
Yellow Jackets? Any supplier of construction equipment and tools. Most towns of any size will have one.
Its a shame but the real enemies are always within your own party. UKIP will strangle the Farage party at birth. Just like when the SDP split away from the Lib Dems the Farage group will be too small to survive. People who cant get behind Tommy and his movement do not have the stomach for the fight that is coming. Demographic replacement, immigration and its effects on incomes, housing and the community are issues that will get votes not Brexit
According to the European Parliament website (I checked only last night), Nigel Farage is still an MEP for UKIP. It indeed begs the question as to whether he has really resigned from UKIP at all. I hope the answer is that he hasn’t, and that he will challenge for the leadership of UKIP this spring The hype surrounding the creation of a new Brexit party has all come to nothing (so far). Like many others I re-registered my details with Leave means Leave to assist with a local branch network and campaign. That was over two months ago now, and thus far I have heard absolutely nothing. Somehow I don’t think it will occur. Leave means Leave is rapidly turning into a Leave.eu mark two and becoming totally ineffective. Thank goodness Vote Leave won the nomination to run the ‘Leave’ campaign in 2015, otherwise the ground campaign would never have got started.
John,I have just re-read your comment. The SDP (Social Democrat Party) merged with the Liberal Party and became one political party namely the Liberal Democrat Party. Are you suggesting that the SDP have since broken away from Lib Dems and if so, when did that occur. I have to say I was always at a loss as to why the SDP ever jumped in bed with the Liberal Party in the first place. I have never voted Labour but I did vote SDP several times, but had never voted for the Liberal Party, and most certainly would never ever vote for the Liberal Democrat Party. Certainly David Owen was Eurosceptic in his views and campaigned to leave the EU during the Referendum Campaign.
A full my exposé of the party system and why Independents ought to be the way forward is revealed on the UK Column website under heading Introduce Yuorslef and then The Party Game. You have to join to read it
Martin, if you would like to know more please contact me directly david.allen@coalitionofindependents.org
Being a member of a party is not about agreeing with everything. I haven’t posted this as a ‘reply’ but to my mind Mike Maunder put his finger on it when he said below ‘Although we have differences between groups/Parties, they have to remain secondary’.
I want to be able to ‘do something’ that is very hard on your own.
There are some glaringly obvious issues and wrongs to right, but right now, for me, it has to be Brexit.
No one will be convinced or persuaded by waverers or ship jumpers, only puzzled. As another commenter has pointed out, TR is not an issue for the general public, but will be if you make it one. As for the MSM, they are already tarnished in the eyes of the public and any more mudslinging is the mud they are digging out from their own hole.
All those ‘dignitaries’ who have left, bite your tongue, be brave and get back in an organisation, UKIP, that is going to be a real, holistic grown up party. If you don’t like something debate it, argue it. Life will be getting a lot messier before this is all over.
Unaware that there was a three month grace period to membership I have, at the very last minute, renewed mine.
“Independents, The Way Forward …”
David let me tell you about my experience with ‘independents’. Down here in little old Thurrock, we had a UKIP candidate who, with a lot of support from our local branch and because I live here, me, became the councillor. She won by the highest margin in the country. She was top of the pops. She has done very well as a councillor but is no longer the toast of the town. That’s because she first became a so-called independent, and then, just recently, a Conservative.
She doesn’t attend our forum meetings as often as she once did, and when she does she still gets a warm welcome, but now, not in a good way.
The referendum has brought all the traitors, the crooks and the charlatans out into broad daylight. It’s quite staggering to see just how many of our MPs are hopelessly compromised, not fit for purpose.
As I see things, the ONLY way forward is UKIP.
Michael ,I thoroughly concur with that view. UKIP isn’t perfect by any stretch of imagination, however it is the ONLY way forward. Thurrock until recently was a major UKIP stronghold where the local party was a well oiled machine led by Tim Aker and his team. Even though I don’t live in Essex, they were a pleasure to work for, and felt as if we were getting somewhere. I sincerely hope the Thurrock Independents can be coerced into getting back with UKIP. Onwards and upwards………
As opposed to political party MPs, independents can truly say that the people voted for them, so joining a political party after being elected, for whatever reason, is morally justifiable. I suspect, though, that in the longer run it might be a mistake. When people choose to vote for an independent, they do so because no party fits their bill, or they are so angry at their party that they choose the only available alternative. To betray that motivation is probably the wrong thing to do.
I am perfectly happy to see the UKIP swamp draining itself. I do not want pro-muslim politicians in any party I am a member of. Islamic imperialism is the most serious danger the Western world faces today. Anyone who denies that belongs in LibLabCon andI say to hell with the lot of them.
UKIP couldn’t win any seats when it was soft on islam so what have they got to lose by naming the threat?
Indeed Badger, first we must take down the EU supporters then we must take down the supporters of Islam; a far more difficult fight which has the real potential to develop into civil war.
If we wish to preserve our country for our descendants then we have to win both.
David Allen, please quote Tommy Robinson’s words that convinced you he is “anti-Muslim and anti-foreigner”. Not what others have said about him. Quote his words directly please, and explain why you think those words show he is anti-Muslim and anti-foreigner.
Mr Allen, UKIP most certainly have not ‘left the field’, but I fear you so obviously have. I would ask that you desist from whingeing, spouting fallacies, being divisive and counter productive in fantasising about creating yet another splinter group. What a complete waste of time! It is imperative that ALL EXISTING pro-Brexit organisations UNITE in a show of solidarity and strength. If you are genuinely serious about a clean Brexit, get behind the only principled political party which is fighting for the clean Brexit we all voted for; UKIP. I shall not be wasting MY time reading Part II of your nonsensical ‘Independents – The Way Forward, which should be entitled ‘ The Way Backwards’!
This already is Part 2 !
Part 2 of Operation Split Ukip.
Mr Allen knows all about that.
Not words Keith, acts. ‘Tommy Robinson’ is a serial offender with convictions and prison sentences for assault and fraud, including mortgage fraud, which is quite a self serving action. Unless you’ve been living on another planet you will know that the British people will not vote for a party that has at it’s head, or very close to it, a violent thug and crook. If you believe his past history won’t be mentioned by opponents in an election campaign, you would be wrong. You may not agree, but the exodus of UKIP people would seem to suggest that the sentiment is with my view. Whatever you might think of Nigel Farage, his political antennae is very acute. One reason why UKIP used to get rid of such people rapidly, because the opportunities they create for mud slinging are enormous.
Any message would be drowned out.
This is true but irrelevant. Criminal convictions do not prove someone is “anti-Muslim and anti-foreigner” unless for example they were convictions for beating up Muslims or foreigners, which in Tommy’s case they aren’t.
I therefore ask again: please quote Tommy’s words that convinced you he is “anti-Muslim and anti-foreigner”. If you can’t, why do believe something you can produce no evidence for? A conviction for mortgage fraud convinced you someone is anti-foreigner?
‘There is no third option now that UKIP has left the field of play to court the anti-Muslim and anti-foreigner ‘Tommy Robinson’
David, I’m afraid there are three fictions in that single sentence.
1. UKIP has definitely not left the field of play; quite the opposite in fact. Gerard is steadily building a ‘coalition of the many’.
2. Tommy Robinson is not, and has never been, anti-Muslim; only anti-fundamental Islam.
3. Tommy Robinson is not, and has never been, anti-foreigner; only anti-uncontrolled immigration.
I don’t think that helps the central thrust of your article.
COI…snappy title. Sounds like mr allen can’t wait for the Nigel Farage Party to get going so he can join up and fight for brexit by slagging off UKIP.
Where, indeed has the idea come from that Ukip has left the field? Under Gerrard’s leadership it has again become the Third Party to fight elections.
May is a terrible PM. Corbyn would be even worse. There is a majority in the Commons for Remain in the EU. That is because most MPs are wifully blind to just how totalitarian the EU has proved itself. They will do anything rather than lose their seats – that includes betraying their country. Long term there are possible ways to improve our Constitution so that The House DOES represent the Voters.
Meanwhile, DON’T SLAG OFF THE ONLY PARTY FIGHTING FOR BREXIT. Also accept that a Political Party needs more than one issue. Ukip will not become the Government overnight. There is a good chance that next election we WILL get some MPs.
Meanwhile my hope is that May’s so called deal will be chucked out. Nothing else will be agreed. And we will leave on the due date. Call it Crashing out if you like who cares so long as we are out.
“There is no third option now that UKIP has left the field of play to court the anti-Muslim and anti-foreigner ‘Tommy Robinson’. ”
David, in campaigning in my area as a Kipper I have changed my messaging to keep pace with events. I’m now pointing out that there is only one party to vote for in both local and national elections (UKIP) if one wants the UK to leave the EU fully and completely and keep it that way afterwards.
A surprising number of remainers have expressed the view that they support democracy and respect the majority vote of the people and want Brexit to go ahead as expeditiously as possible.
And Tommy Robinson? Sorry to disappoint but I don’t mention the name and so far nor has anyone else.
Dear ‘Friends’ at Independence Daily. Where on earth are you getting the absurd idea that UKIP has left the field of play ? Any political Party should be able to prioritise issues, but also be able to handle more than one issue at a time. The top issue for UKIP is the same as the other groups that are singing from the same song sheet. – EXIT FROM THE EU ! If nit picking within these groups continue, the life of Lib/Lab/Con will be made too easy ! ….. We must be united and cooperative with Brexit. Although we have differences between groups/Parties, they have to remain secondary, as in your tolerance of Islam and dislike of Tommy Robinson. – It’s strange how at the beginning, I thought Tommy was a bit of a yob, but then I started to read and listen to the guy, and blow me backwards, if he was not saying what I had been thinking. ….. Some items need to be held in a flexible way, with the ability to study facts. Tommy is just such an individual, and the internet is a mine of information, with The Holy Bible and Koran, showing to me, that Islam is only an Insurance Policy, now in its fourteenth century, and taken out by Mohammad. To call it a ‘religion’ is stretching English way too far. – Because Islam is followed by millions, it takes more than that to equate it as religion, it requires facts. Remember that text, taken out of context, becomes pretext. Study Islam, and it falls at that first fence !
The problem also lies in the UKIP hierarchy that still wishes to destroy all the hard work for a principle that is actually a propaganda myth. Tommy Robinson is fighting for raped girls. Both white and Sikh. Which is a stain on our society.
The conservatives and the Labour Party have MPs who will remain wedded to those parties because they believe in the fundamental ethos, for the sake of keeping the message strong. UKIP needs to think carefully as to why so many of their members are so ready to destroy the party when we are still seen as the Brexit party. I think they are just fans of Nigel and will not support Gerard, whatever the message.
Starting a new pro-leave group is yet another strategic mistake. The Leave contingent is already dangerously split. It is consolidation not further fragmentation that is needed. Everyone needs to put ego and seeking perfection aside in favour of pragmatically supporting one of the existing Leave groups. Pick a Leave group that most suits you, but don’t expect perfection from any one group. A more politically astute and pragmatic approach is needed not splintering.
The COI is not intended to be a ‘group’. It has no central political ethos other than Brexit and voting reform and would be intended to support independent candidates, of whatever political persuasion, provided that they also support them. Their chances of electoral success are increased because they do not seek to change political allegiances, only individual ones. Where a Conservative voter is so angry with the Conservative party that they may not vote at all, an Independent conservative may provide the very option they are seeking. Likewise, other parties.
Would it be enough to win a seat? I don’t know, but it will do two things. The Independents will certainly take votes away from the party candidate and they will individualise the seat. As you know, in FPTP, considerable national support means little.
In the expectation that COI stands for Coalition of Independents, David, I would be quite willing to give you a hand if you let me know what you’d like me to do .
not quite sure where you are coming from?
I just want to help, Barbara.
Thank you Debbie, please drop me an email david.allen@coalitionofindependents.org
There is already too much fragmentation of those who would oppose government and seek a clean exit from the EU, including the declaration of a new party to come by Nigel Farage.
It will be interesting to see how you intend to bring the various factions together, which we must do of course to defeat government. Slagging off UKIP, although I agree it is failing on many counts, doesn’t seem to lie easily with the spirit of cooperation..
Nigel Fararge jealousy of Gerard, in ensuring Ukip is a Political Party, has sent him into a spiral of pathetic nastiness. He will not start and be Leader of a Political Party, he only knows Brexit and can’t manage other burning issues in UK. He should accept Ukip is now Politicised, at last, and use all his negative bad behaviour to better use in being positive, supportive and understanding of our country.
Follow the money….Nigel is earning a lot as an LBC presenter and as an MEP. He gets a full EU pension in April, and as long as he is not a party leader he retains his LBC cash as he pulls in good ratings. But he can’t do both. He also likes his luxuries, chauffeurs, hangers-on and bodyguards, who do not come cheap ( one reason for UKIPs previous financial problems )
The same would all apply if he were to launch another party. His circus alone would cost them over £1,000,000 a year. That takes deep, deep pockets.
I’m not saying he is not worth it, just that he will not do it free of charge / free of perks. That is the essential difference between him and Gerard. Gerard is extremely ‘cheap to run’ and does not ( AFAIK ) have the same expensive tastes or it seems the need for his own permanent coterie that follow him everywhere.
There is no time to talk new parties now anyway. Our lines are drawn. There WILL be an election soon, best prepare for that .
Are the Tories behind all these new splinter groups that claim to be to unite brexiters, but in fact split the Leave vote further and then lead their followers into a dead end or rather into the maw of the EU? Sounds like the sort of thing they would do.
What does COI stand for? Conservatories Out Indefinitely?