Introduction

Q: Do you – as members and readers alike – want to see an active policy of promoting reindustrialisation?

All reasons that contributed to our industrial decline aside, what is undeniable is that when we were a prominent manufacturing nation, the country was more socially balanced.

But today, as surely as we all breathe air, it is London and the Home Counties that have the lion’s share of the prosperity this country now generates. The seeds of this started with the decline of manufacturing, the rise of services and the changing of London into a financial colossus.

Some will argue that this was for the better given that our once industrial might had over 30 years become the greatest mill stone around the country’s neck, dragging it down into ruin.

Harsh as it sounds, our industries had to die. But only to allow time to pass so they could be rebuilt by learning the lessons of all that we got wrong before.

The State of the Party

The one thing that can be said for all other political parties is that at least you know what they’re about. For UKIP however, it’s now totally aimless. Prior to the EU referendum, it was the reverse – getting the UK out of the EU was its raison d’etre and the whole world knew it. But now, no-one knows what it’s about other than some vague notion of being a pro-British party.

Let’s face facts here – every issue that’s been raised in recent manifestos and hustings are all minor, fringe, won’t change lives, won’t rebuild depressed cities, won’t create meaningful jobs, won’t put money in families’ pockets, won’t make people actually give the party any serious consideration. Aren’t you all sick to death of seeing UKIP constantly trashed in the media, because of the latest internal shambles or yet another fringe policy announcement?

What’s so frustrating is that the party is still not able to be associated with something truly good and meaningful. No-one will actually stand up and promote a policy that would be overwhelmingly well received by the country as a whole.

UKIP became world known for its desire to leave the EU – a huge, radical and utterly monumental stance to take in the face of crushing odds, yet pulling in support from everywhere. Every person knew what UKIP stood for then. So we know it can be done – and it needs to be repeated.

I believe that if UKIP were to drop most of what passes for policy today and decide to be the only party in British politics that actively promotes a policy of reindustrialisation, along with all associated sub-policies to support it, then the party has a genuine chance of revival. And as a matter of natural consequence, be considered a serious alternative due to common sense forward thinking ideas.

Foundation Principles

Q: What is the most improved sector in the UK economy since the EU referendum?

Everyone knows the answer – and through gritted teeth, even the media admits it. Manufacturing.

Why? Because our exports are more appealing and thus competitive, due to the devaluation of the pound.

Right there – there is the key to start making the country more prosperous as a whole.

We’ve become so wedded to the EU and have gradually changed our entire economic outlook to fit in with their business structure that the devaluation of the pound has become a problem. We hardly make anything anymore, we buy almost everything in and the country has essentially become a place in which to reside and little else. So naturally, the pound has adapted to the reality of the past 40 years or so – thus perpetuating the inability for this country to manufacture and export.

The car industry remains the sole manufacturing industry success of any note left – with next generation vehicle design, manufacture and associated technologies taking root here too. But it also shows what could be possible with other industries that this country used to be well known for, such as shipbuilding, steel manufacture, railways/trains etc. But also for industries of the future such as artificial intelligence, certain space technologies, energy production etc. In other words, to be a world leader again.

It is widely recognised that rebalancing our economy in favour of manufacturing is the only true way of bringing back prosperity to the country as a whole. Numerous political commentators and journalists of all colours have made this point – you can hear it on an almost weekly basis.

Why UKIP?

But still no political party is making the public case for reindustrialisation.

UKIP should – in fact, it must.

Such a mammoth policy would show that only UKIP have the right idea for how to change the country’s direction by promoting a professional, credible yet popular policy base for making the country better. Everything that the party has achieved will be literally for nothing if it doesn’t pursue such a policy platform.

The party states that only it represents the working class. But what work are they referring to when they say this? Coffee shop workers, call centre workers, retail workers? Working people primarily means those who worked/work in industry. Well paid, rewarding careers in manufacturing design and production exist all over the world – this country is crying out for the same. Manufacturing industry is not the sole domain of cheaper countries; for example, 99% of all cruise ships are designed and built in the West; not China, not Korea, not Japan.

Conclusion

If we leave the EU but do nothing different, if we keep everything the same by using predominantly the same ‘business model’ as before – then leaving becomes hollow, as no real change will occur in people’s lives.

Rebalancing the economy by taking advantage of the pound’s devaluation, creating skilled and well paid manufacturing jobs, boosting our already growing export base through new and revived industries, helping to rebuild communities especially in the North of the country – as well as being able to state as a 100% fact that only UKIP is the party for working people.

All this could happen, but only if UKIP’s raison d’etre is focused on promoting reindustrialisation in all its forms.

 

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