UKIP – Focusing on Winning and Policy Development After Brexit
By Diane James MEP
The result of the UK’s EU Referendum was not only a world class example of democracy in action but will be seen to be an event that will have great historical ramifications for Britain’s place in the world.
It is within this context that the United Kingdom Independence Party’s next leader must have ambitions for the Party to become Britain’s Official Opposition. In some ways this is easier than many people think. UKIP is not a single issue pressure group nor a transient ‘Movement’. It is a properly constituted political party which had the support of several million people at the last General Election. Of course, leaving the European Union was a key theme for UKIP not least because the EU interfered in almost every aspect of a Briton’s daily life. Under Nigel Farage, UKIP’s manifesto at the last General Election was the most professional of all the major political parties. As UKIP leader my vision is for UKIP to continue to lead with innovative ideas driven by a professional policy team which includes the broader range of the talents that we have in Party nationwide because over the next few years’ policy substance will be seen to win support and elections.
If substantive policy development is a strong card for UKIP, working within the constraints of the real world is our card deck in a bankrupt two-party system where an unfair and undemocratic first-past-the post electoral system is close to bankrupting our country. For this reason UKIP will campaign for Proportional Representation.
Here’s a real world fact that all political parties need to face up to if their policies, ideas and representatives are to be seen as credible: The size of the UK’s national debt has soared under David Cameron, from £1 trillion in May 2010 to £1.61 trillion in May 2016. When expressed as percentage of the UK’s economic growth (GDP), debt has increased from 71.7 per cent in 2010-11 to the current level of 83.7 per cent. All of this debt has been accrued for payment for future generations of at the same time that income inequality in our country is increasing. UKIP will not seek to destroy our country’s future by promising grandiose plans which involve unfunded billions in public expenditure. It will however, ensure that monies freed from paying into a broken EU Federalist project can be re-directed within the UK to benefit enterprising small businesses, working mums and sole traders.
Our policies are predicated on the British Government fully implementing the wishes of the British people as expressed in June’s EU Referendum by 2020. No ‘ifs’, ‘buts’ or ‘maybes’. Not Brexit-lite or ‘Associated EU membership’ status. I shadowed Theresa May for the past two years. Her record in the Home Office is one of broken promises. Missed migration targets, prisons in crisis. She says, “Brexit means Brexit”. I say, “Trust but Verify!” We want to see a global trading, outward looking Britain, outside of the EU. In the years (if not months, if a snap election is called) to come, UKIP must be able to stand Westminster candidates in all parts of the Kingdom but particularly against those sitting MPs who do not support or try to frustrate the will of the British people for Brexit. I will lead UKIP to ensure that we have a laser focus on how the government is implementing its ‘Brexit means Brexit’ promises so that decisions are made in Westminster by accountable politicians and that quality bi-lateral trade deals are negotiated with the dozens of countries around the world who want to increase prosperity with an Enterprising Brexit Britain.
Mrs May must show leadership and make a decision in a clear and straightforward way to invoke Article 50 before the end of 2016. She does not need Parliament’s approval for this. It is quick, decisive and immediately puts the EU on notice that the UK is serious about Brexit. Once Article 50 is invoked we must rapidly probe the EU’s negotiating stance on such things as financial services ‘passporting’ and UK access to the Single market bearing in mind that not paying into the EU budget, controlling our borders and our traditional fishing waters should be red lines in any UK negotiating stance.
UKIP needs a transparent, ambitious, motivated leader who can make the Party a formidable winning machine which can fight elections based on disruptive new constituency boundaries. I am that woman.
Dear Panmelia, I will make a note of that.
Mr or Ms AJAX, I have seen the same unpleasant personal attack on Diane James by you 3 times on this site, if you feel the need to publicly express your toxic opinions, then once should be enough, to keep repeating the same poison, once even, after the ballots have been sent out, proves you are either a vile and dishonest troll, or worse?,(you say you have watched her” in action” for a couple of years?), such public behaviour, doe’s not reflect well on the party as a whole.
Anyone in UKIP, who is not prepared to voice their opinions proudly in their own name, should not be in UKIP.
Steven, it is of little use to address Ajax personally to exhort him/her to refrain from uncalled-for unpleasant remarks about the candidates, or indeed about Nigel; and if Nigel doesn’t deserve the utmost respect, I don’t know who does.
Ajax has made personal attacks on two of the women candidates, either about their appearance or personality, or both. He/she seems to believe that repetition of derogatory comments about Diane will convince everyone that they must be true and that it would be a mistake to vote for her. Of course, the contrary effect is achieved because the British in general, and UKIPpers in particular, dislike unfairness and prefer to judge for themselves rather than listen to someone else’s malice repeated ad nauseam.
Just an observation on using one’s own name when posting comments: my real name is not ‘Panmelia’ as you might have guessed. But a few years ago I found out the hard way why it is not a good idea to use one’s actual full name. What is posted can be hacked, edited and quoted selectively by ill-wishers who want to attack UKIP and its members. There is little or no opportunity for comeback or clarification, so it’s not worth the risk.
Thank you, Pamela, for your advice and it is heeded, I do use another name on all other site’s though wanted to be completely open on this site, however, your right and one should not assume we are amongst friends, though with different views, I had noticed a hardcore of 3 people(I assume it was 3) on various other sites single minded in this same sustained unpleasant personal attack, and hoped this site had only positive commentators, with UKIP’s overall best interests at heart. Which 99% it has.
I completely understand people not using their real names, and my comments were only directed towards one commenter. I had hoped to shame and deny legitimacy to one of these commentator’s using my name, but, it sound like it can eventually rebound on the party, so I will change it.
Some people in UKIP do not have the best interests for UKIP at heart. I agree those people should not be in UKIP at all. Many of us know who they are. I am one who watched Diane throughout the EU referendum campaign in the media and also addressing the European Parliament. She is measured, cool , intelligent woman and will make in my opinion, an excellent leader.
Ajax, In some way I agree with you but did not like to say so, but I don’t wish to make derogatory personal comments about any of the candidates. Unfortunately, there are plenty of others that have and will do that, but actually I think personality does come into it quite a lot.
Correct me if I am wrong, but two parts of Nigel’s massive pulling power was his huge ego and personality which enabled him to get his message across. He won that debate (not on his own obviously) but never the less he was the main protagonist. In other words ‘blandness’ will not do but the message also needs to be big, like you I don’t know what Diane’s message is except that she appears to be the ‘heir apparent’.
I think the reason for Nigel’s successful time as leader is his honesty, his policy, his work ethic and the way he gels with many ordinary British people..
I had though the heir apparent as you put it was Steven Woolfe? But I don’t think that is relevant . In my view Diane has leadership qualities. I particularly like her ideas of being collegic in approach and in using all the best talent for UKIP. I believe her idea of having two expert deputies with duties for the North and South of the UK was good too. She will I think take UKIP on to the next stage brilliantly if she is elected. You say ” I don’t know what Diane’s message is” well I’m not sure why exactly.. she had mentioned policies.. but actually what she said about not promising policies ” on the hoof ” makes sense.. until you have a chance to properly review the manifesto, gather ideas from the membership, MEP’s and candidates so as to learn what is going to be realistic after BREXIT.. She gave herself 100 days to finalize things.. sensible !
Ajax, I take it you do not like Diane James very much.
@Debbie Lovell – It’s not a question of not liking her personally (I’ve had only a limited personal interaction with her – which admittedly was depressingly unimpressive), it’s more an issue of being pretty convinced having watched her in action for a couple of years that she’s not the right person for this job, & if UKIP gets lumbered with a dud leader at this crucial point in its history it could fall apart & fade away with the June 23 victory having been attained, which will re-shore up the rotting Labcon Party paradigm for a few more years that’s governing the Kingdom so disastrously.
There’s far more at stake here than personalities & preferences.
I shall be voting for Diane, but not with a great deal of enthusiasm. I feel she should explain her broad political philosophy. I have no idea what she stands for. However, she has a better chance than the other candidates of securing the future votes of Middle Britain. I would have preferred Steven Woolfe, but, like Steven Attwood above, I look forward to her speech at the UKIP conference.
I have voted for Diane. I believe she has fairly well explained her broad political philosophy. I have been reading her answers to questions online and what she said at Rotherham and Eastleigh helped. She seems to have no scandal attached and seems to be an honest person. But for more detailed policies.. I agree with Diane .. ” not making policies on the hoof”.. ( see my answer to Debbie above).. I very much want to see someone sort out UKIP’s management structure and rid the Party of the wreckers and troublemakers..
Two things I would like to know. When will the results be published and when will we find out what is happening on the election cheating review?
Leadership result Friday 16th Sept around lunchtime or early afternoon.
Now, this is interesting, Yeoman, because I have heard from various sources that the new leader is to be announced on Thursday 15th September. It didn’t make much sense to me because the votes can be received by the Independent Scrutineer up to noon on 15th Sept, which doesn’t leave much time to determine the result. Plus, why announce it on Training Day before everyone has gathered in the Conference Hall to hear it together? So Friday 16th is obviously much better, but where did you get the information from? I’m beginning to wonder if you are a member of the Party hierarchy in disguise!
Paul Oakden announce it at the London hustings that he chaired on 25th Aug. I assure sure I am not part of the party’s hierarchy!
Apologies to Panmelia for the typos in my reply. I was in a rush this afternoon. The post should read: Paul Oakden announced it at the London hustings that he chaired on 25th Aug. I assure you I am not part of the party’s hierarchy!
I hope he will not change that. Other pronouncements from the hierarchy have been changed at short notice without explanation.
Ms. James is a bland, cold & philosophically vapid politician, who offers little for UKIP beyond being able to get through a television interview competently (an important skill, but not in itself enough), as indicated by the banal content of her candidacy flyer which I received yesterday.
Elizabeth Jones would be a better prospect for UKIP’s leadership in my view.
But, Ajax, isn’t Liz a bit overweight, her hair too long, and her clothes unsuitable? These were some of your criticisms of her on another page of this site: ‘Elizabeth Jones, UKIP Leadership Candidate’.
Constructive criticism Panmelia, presentation matters in the age of televised politics, as Ms. James knows.
Yes. An Diane James is very good in the media and in the European Parliament.. IMO
Well I tried folks, I have noticed AJAX you post the same, negative comments about Diane on many sites, and little else, and claim a personal, but unspecified knowledge, I suspect your preference is not for Liz Jones, and she would not like her name to be associated with your efforts. My name is Steven Attwood a UKIP member from Sidcup, What I want to know, What we all want to know is, Who are you?
Pamela, I am not trying to defend S.Y. he can do that himself, but he will be at the conference (displaying the bear) and I’m sure happy to engage with a fellow Kipper.
Once again, Good Luck to all the candidates, lets get this show on the road.
Mr. Attwood, I don’t frequent “many sites” posting about UKIP, there’s this one & the Daily Express & that’s about it, & I post about far more interesting issues that Ms. James, so you’re wrong about that one too. Also, my critique of Ms. James in the vicinity of an election is based on substance in these posts, which you conveniently side-step uttering another untruth in the process.
Don’t try to tell me what I can & cannot do, & who I am & what I choose to reveal online is my business, not yours. Vindictive personalized attacks on me because I’m saying something you don’t like (which you’ll notice I haven’t replied to in kind) are a waste of your time & my effort reading them, & don’t interest me. This is the last time I’ll reply to you doing it.
Totally disagree with you. My perception of Diane is that I find her an intelligent, determined and confident woman who has the presence and tact to achieve much for the UKIP party in its next stage.
Elizabeth Jones is not mature enough.
I voted yesterday and I have a feeling most kipper’s will also do so by return post, even Steven Woolfe!
(only kidding Steven) I think a lot of members had a preferred candidate from the start, and now the votes are more or less cast, there will be no negativity towards any of the candidates, at least not from member’s.
Good luck to all the candidates, I look forward the conference and especially Diane’s speech on Friday afternoon.
Steven, I am keeping an open mind until 8th September when Diane is to appear in Newcastle upon Tyne, a North East venue that was missing from her original tour calendar to the chagrin of members who did not have the chance to see her at the first Hustings. Liz Jones did not turn up to that hustings either, but now that Diane has rectified the omission of her appearance in the NE, I feel duty bound to attend.
As in any party election, it does not do to be too negative, publicly, about any of the candidates because whoever wins deserves the support of the membership. Like you, I wish them all luck and look forward to Friday afternoon in Bournemouth.