The events of the last three weeks have been extraordinary even by UKIP’s standards. I won’t go over the gruesome details but our Leader Henry Bolton has gone from an assured position to one where he achieved a unanimous vote of ‘No Confidence’ by our National Executive Committee – something unprecedented in UKIP’s eventful history.
When the scandal broke, Henry retained the MEP’s support on the basis that there are always two sides to every marriage break-up story and we were frankly not interested in the details. However, the subsequent revelations about his girlfriend’s alleged electronic communications made matters much worse.
These comments were despicable and disastrous. The MEPs wanted to support Henry, but these comments were the final straw. At the MEP meeting in Strasbourg on 16th January, we voted No Confidence in him by a clear majority.
It is true that concerning the comments Henry is being judged guilty by association, which is unfair. Politics is unfair, but what sealed his fate was his complete ineptitude and inability to handle or close down the media debacle that ensued. He had become a laughing stock. Almost anything can be survived in politics but not ridicule.
Having urged Henry to resign as Leader on 19th January, and his not doing so, I resigned as his Brexit Spokesman on 21st January, and most Spokespersons have followed suit.
What has followed since is even more bizarre. Instead of accepting that his position is untenable, Henry insists on putting the Party through the expense and agony of an Extraordinary General Meeting where the members will be asked to endorse or reject the NEC’s decision. The decision being endorsed, there will follow a full leadership election.
Henry would have us believe that there has been a conspiracy against him by plotters in the Party aided and abetted by a malevolent NEC. Henry seems to think he will be saved by the members riding to his rescue, like the 5th Cavalry at the EGM. This is pure fantasy.
Yes, there are a few people whose ambition far outstrips their abilities but who would nevertheless like to be the leader. Such in-fighting goes on in every political party. Just look at Labour and the Tories.
Yes, NEC meetings are usually extremely long and boring and can be extremely frustrating. But having attended many of them over the years I cannot recall one where Nigel Farage as the leader did not manage to get his own way.
All the talk of the EGM being a way of bringing about a reorganisation of the NEC and the Party is codswallop. The EGM is empowered to consider one issue only: the NEC vote of no confidence, and do the members endorse it or not? If the members did reject the NEC’s no-confidence vote then I think this really would spell the end of the Party.
Henry’s comments about ‘draining the swamp’ are not only unoriginal but deeply insulting to the NEC and Party members who have expended so much time, effort and money over so many years. It also illustrates his lack of political sense.
Any normal person in Henry’s position would realise they have lost all meaningful support and walk away with what dignity they could. While this fiasco continues we risk losing potential candidates, activists, members and donors. Is that the intention we have to wonder?
Some think that either Henry has lost touch with reality or what he is doing is a strategy to collapse the Party from within. There is nothing the political and media establishment would like more than for the Party to no longer exist. That way Brexit can be properly betrayed and other big issues can be ignored.
In a strange way, I think that this debacle could be the catalyst for a resurgence of the Party’s fortunes, as unlikely as that may seem now. After the Referendum, I looked forward to my retirement in 2019. I have no personal political ambitions. All I have ever wanted was to be part of a successful party and to do my bit. But I don’t want to see UKIP disappear – on the contrary, I want to see it prosper.
UKIP really is the only opposition, and it has to survive for the good of Britain. Prior to the NEC meeting on 21st January, I offered my services as Interim Leader. The NEC were not able to consider me, or anyone else, for that position because Henry refused to resign. However, in the attached document I lay out my vision for the Party. I hope you find it of interest.
Gerard Batten MEP
Editor’s Note ~ Here is the document that spells out Gerard’s vision for the Party.
Surely Gerard Batten is better than UKIP could have hoped for at this stage of this current situation. He has laid out a number of issues, important issues, that surely all UKIP followers would agree with as being central to UKIP thinking. He has also given his views on how they should be tackled. In essence, the document attached to Gerard’s article is a mini manifesto.
Contrast that with Henry Bolton. He has mumbled about Brexit and holding the governmement to account without any outline of what he means.
As for the
other important, core issues, Bolton has said nothing.
I and I suspect many, many others have no idea what he thinks and on what path he would take UKIP down on say immigration, if he were to remain Party leader. How could anyone even think of supporting him in the forthcoming EGM under these circumstances?
I cannot imagine that any UKIP supporter would disagree with anything Gerard Batten has said in his attached article and document.
It is a genuine mini manifesto that all UKIP followers could rally around going forward [yes even more issues can be added in time].
Support Gerard Batten’s proposals if you want to see our Party moving forward again with real purpose. Henry Bolton simply must go!
Never mind Interim, Gerard should be Leader pd.
Non-nationals should be barred from buying anything within the M25, not just new-build.
And we have to stop all unacceptable cultural practices.
No. Not if he doesn’t want the job. Diane and Paul didn’t have their heart in it, and look where it got them…
I said ‘should’ deliberately, Rob, and in the interests of brevity.
Let us hope he grows to that view.
At present nobody else of any stature seems to have got the thinking right (apart, ironically enough, from AMW) or shown the same coolness under fire.
That’s not say of course that a period under his leadership won’t bring forward a successor in the same mould.
I have just been passed a tweet from RT (via a member). It states that HB has declared his undying love for Ms. Marney and the interview in which he revealed this fact will be broadcast in full, tomorrow, 10.25pm. Maybe someone can verify this.
Here it is:
https://www.rt.com/uk/417101-henry-bolton-ukip-love/
Never in the history of UKIP has the hard work of so many been trashed by the antics of so few.
… since Nuttall anyway.
It would be counter productive now for Bolton to campaign on any substantial issue, such as opposing the Islamisation of Britain and of Europe. Nothing that he says now will be taken seriously.
A period of silence on his part would be most welcome.
Nuttall was an amateur at f#cking up, but our ‘enery is a pro.
Sam Delaney’s show pays £500 for an appearance. A monkey for a monkey. That’s twice Bolton’s been on it now. He’s doing it to line his pocket . Don’t ever forget that RT is funded directly from the Russian state. Not that there is any Putin-inspired plot to have a pop at Britain through Bolton, as he’s got no influence to spoil. He’s just a comedy foil. A custard pie in the face for him. A slap in the face for us. And he got bunged for it.
Mr. Bav,
Please someone make him go away!
Roger,
Without sounding rude, who really cares, did he say that about his other ‘romances I wonder? I wish he an she would just run away together quite honestly, that would solve all our problems.
The way forward,the Gerard Batten way..yes this speaks to me and mine.
The loss of our freedom of speech, and the pandering for votes by all parties cannot be. In the recent past UKIP has played this “Panda game” morphing into the third Lab party… Nuttal/Stoke,the Halal appeasement leaflet, Suzanne Evans in her leadership blurb: “I can reach out to women and ethnic minorities.” Why use this patronising Labour speak? Oh yes, it might just get us votes. Yes UKIP has to survive but with integrity.
The pro-Islam message was published in the Stoke Sentinel too. It must have lost many thousands of votes. Nuttall was photographed outside the mosque wearing his gamekeeper outfit, published in this local paper. What kind of message did that one photo give to those living in the struggling areas of Stoke, worried about the encroachment of Islam into their city? “UKIP has abandoned you – preferring to side with the toffs and the cultural enrichers.” Sensibly, nobody from the mosque would have anything to do with him. It was a deceitful photo anyway from their perspective. The word would have gone round their community, and so it was an entirely fruitless exercise.
The pro-Islam, pro-Halal “special” leaflet was organised by Nuttall and the local party. I have that on good authority. The main campaign, co-ordinated by the excellent Lisa Duffy, had nothing to do with it.
One of the main employers in Stoke is Staffordshire Meat Packers, located within the constituency. No seniour member of UKIP spoke with the managing director. I know this because four of us grassroots members / supporters did, as we were campaigning in that zone. He told us that we were the first from UKIP to speak with him. Is this lack of connecting with key people a significant part of the problem of parachuting in candidates? That and allowing policy to be dictated by the likes of Tariq Mahmood (who also featured on the “special” leaflet), whilst completely ignoring the concerns of the large majority of grassroots members.
io,
Could not agree with you more.
Are we marking time with the Bolton issue ? did not the lab/dems have a by election win on the IOW yesterday, Gerald Batten is the answer to this conundrum, firstly as an interim leader then leader
Maybe vote into the UKIP constitution a
Dr Daneeka (catch 22 ) clause Then work around Bolton.
Remoaners may regard UKIP as a laughing stock at present, but if God forbid the EU gets its way and bags us with no escape, the last laugh will be on them as they discover too late the trap they’ve fallen into.
Hope to see you at the helm GB.
On leave.EU this afternoon, Arron Banks called for UKIP to be folded and for us to go back to the Conservatives, plain as that.
This explains the gameplan.
This great gift to the flagging Tories in return for Nigel becoming Lord Farage?
No Lord Crowther that’s for sure after siding with the rest on the NEC.
C ‘n’ M,
True, now we know the gameplan, they must despise us grassroot members.
But who will join their wonderful new party? Not me for one!
Resurrection NO.
Renaissance YES PLEASE.
Interesting that you should use the word “ridicule” in your piece Gerard.
This is exactly what Bolton and Farage and many of the 3874 member’s who voted for Bolton did to Anne Marie and her 2755 voters. Big mistake. Such a lost opportunity.
How things may have been different if a more mature approach had been taken to the obvious popularity and ability that Anne Marie commands.
The 3874 need to take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror.
How many of these people will turn up at the EGM and support their man now ?
I wish you luck Gerard, we come from a very similar place.
If a resurrection happens from this situation, maybe an accommodation with Anne Marie and the 2755 can be worked.
A week is a long time in politics.
AMW is a complete myth.
A former Labour party candidate who stood on the policy of open borders and mass immigration.
She and Bolton are a right pair.
Opportunists at the least.
The woman, like her or loathe her, who is fighting islam in this country is Jayda Fransen.
She is probably facing a long term in prison for doing so – a blatant potential political prisoner.
AMW would have finished UKIP in 48 hours.
The MSM would have denounced us as a racist party with knobs on.
It was inviting disaster.
No one could be more worried about islam than I.
AMW was a liability – probably stopped the election of David Kurten for a start.
I warn you now be careful giving your personal details where they can be accessed by a possible ex Labour Carswell.
They could end up with Corbyn and the thought police.
I for one would have resigned on her election.
I hardly know a memebr who didn’t plan to do the same.
Emily,
But Gerard says in his video that he agrees with most of what AMW’s says, although he would not have wanted her to become leader. But if he had become leader he would have found her a place in his shadow cabinet, and would have welcomed the UKIP supporters she took with her back in to the party.
Not sure though whether she would have accepted playing second fiddle to anyone, as she was very annoyed at not winning the leadership election and said on film to Jack Buckby her campaign manager that ‘everyone knows it was f*****g fixed’.
The other thing about this as a side issue is that AMW’s always denied that Jack Buckby a former BNP member was her campaign manger, but he admitted he was when filmed under cover, and he admitted that UKIP members did not like him because of that so they kept it quiet.
When I went to our hustings there was always a young man accompanying her, but I am not sure whether it was him or not.
AMW would never have accepted an offer of Deputy Leader or Spokesman for Immigration etc etc. She has to be the boss or else she won’t play. She openly stated at the hustings that she was “not interested in the NEC, not interested in the Branches”, and for that reason alone she would have been a disaster if she had stayed involved with UKIP.
…there you go folks, the ridicule, the untruths, the miss information continues, as ably demonstrated by a “rabbit” and an “Emily”
That she says things – talk is easy.
She would.
But she was not leadership material and had she been elected leader we would have been finished in 48 hours.
Bolton, it is claimed spoke convincingly too.
There wasn’t massive support for her at our hustings.
Opinion afterwards was – she said nothing but cliches and actually put nothing original forward.
Maybe she did better elsewhere.
Her Charisma was abysmal and her speaking ability just over barely acceptable.
Leader she is not.
However we now know she was out to hijack UKIP and not to stay in and work for it.
So Mr Batten would never have had the chance of her in any cabinet.
She wanted more and ditched UKIP when she didn’t get it.
She already had her new party planned before the leadership vote was announced.
Clearly loyalty to UKIP was not her strong suit.
It was nil, other than her own personal pursuit of power judging by her actions.
I for one welcome the fact she is now someone else’s problem.
Emily,
You may well be right, perhaps we DID actually miss a bullet by Henry beating her and we have him to thank for that, but we will never know, but if her party becomes more popular with more members then we will know what the public really wants.
As far as I know the ‘For Britain’ party as not been registered yet as an official party, I wonder what the hold up is?
Emily,
I don’t think you can really describe AMW’s as a myth, she does exist and she does have many followers, and she certainly does not agree with open borders and mass immigration, in fact, quite the opposite.
I would say I think she is much cleverer than Henry and not so self centred, she appears to be a strong feminist but attracts many men to her party. She wants nil muslim immigration to this country, which I think would be difficult to implement, although in some ways I agree with her, and I also abhor the practice of Halal.
…Mr Duck, For Britain is not officially registered yet due to “delays” at the Electoral Commission. Seems they are taking the matter very seriously !
Jeff,
Perhaps its is just as well considering some of her connections, Have you watched the documentary ‘Inside Britain’s Far Right’, I know it may be biased as it was done by Momentum, but you cannot deny what was filmed whilst under cover.
Her party.?
I have been told – correct me if necessary that the Electoral Commission has refused it.
Interestly she didn’t have the commitment to stay in UKIP – just set up in opposition.
I think that tells you all you need to know.
She was in UKIP to take it over and Yes one thing we can thank Bolton for.
It refused it he first time round and they were supposed to be told whether they would accept it yesterday, but there has been no word yet from them.
AMW is a myth.
She may exist but I think she is a self publicist who has hyped herself up and done very little.
Very like Bolton.
The heroine of Britain – fighting islam is Jayda Fransen
AMW doesn’t come near.
Emily,
I have to admit I know nothing about Jayda Franson (had to look her up), but am very wary of ‘Britain First’ myself, how many members do they have?
You could be right perhaps AMW’s was trying to hijack UKIP, a bit like Farage is now.
“she is much cleverer than Henry” but not as good at following orders, anyone who thinks ‘enery isn’t taking orders from above has some screws loose.
Emily, so what if AMW used to be in the Labour party?
She left Labour because they know damn well what Islam is about, however they do nothing to save us from it.
Labour needs the Muslim vote. Their supposed concern for women and gays is clearly fake. AMW has spotted that.
UKIP has, or maybe squandered now, support in less well off areas. Those are the areas most severely affected by the encroaching of Islam. By the time it gets to affecting wealthier areas it will be too late to do anything to halt it.
A vision which I can agree with at last. Only one potential issue with regard to re-industrialisation; let’s not have a return to state owned enterprises where the trade unions are allowed a say beyond the welfare of the individual worker.
Edit: of course the industries will, for the most part, be very different from those of the past.
Mr Batten I applaud your policy document.
But I think important matters need to be added.
From the party point of view – we must start very vocally and publicly fighting for Fair Voting and PR.
21 European countries use the system.
We elect MEPs under the system.
We elect our three regional parliaments using a form of the system.
It must be adopted before the next General Election.
We cannot continue with the tyranny of the marginal seats which will be largely controlled by islam next election – giving them the power to decide the next government.
And if the English had their rights – an English parliament must be established – ensuring a large UKIP representation as an English parliament would do for UKIP what the Scots parliament has done for the SNP.
With PR UKIP would have taken 83 seats in 2015 and probably held the balance of power.
UKIP under Farage has as good as ignored the issue.
In fact from personal experience with the party and to my own knowledge, have deliberately missed chances to support it including exposing an outright and potentially damaging Cameron lie. .
Stopping free movement is not enough.
EU citizens in this country are stinging the British taxpayer upwards 10 BILLION a year.
Some estimates claim its costing 4.5 BILLION a year in benefits.
Does that include BILLIONS a year in tax credits – I think not.
Then the mass use of the NHS., our schools etc adds Probably a BILLION or more on to that.
Once we leave the EU this EU occupation of Britain should end.
These people become foreign nationals – and as such all benefits should stop.
Health insurance will be a necessity.
Free houses — no more.
I don’t think we can object about people here working, paying tax – not receiving tax credits and paying insurance – the living off the Britsih taxpayer must stop.
We should also look at child benefit.
Claims for two children only.
Islamics with three wives are producing 20 children.
Its outrageous the money they are getting.
Many Brits are paying so much tax – keeping islamic and other immigrant children – they can no longer afford their own.
This must stop.
We must also look at council house allocation.
Locals must have first go.
And in high price areas this must include affordability which is breaking British families apart.
I am delighted that you, Mr Batten, will reverse the apparent Farage bans on Islam and immigration as issues.
This has held the party back for years and only the realistic adoption of them will give the party any future.
Emily,
If you watch the interview with Gerard outside the houses of parliament with MBGA TV, you will see he covers most of the issues you raise, however, I am not sure of his views on a English parliament unless he has stated them somewhere else.
DD
I have been around UKIP for a long time.
At one point it had the superb policy of a Federal Britain – in line with most other Western democracies – the USA, Canada, Australia, Germany etc.
The concept being four regional houses of which we have three – to a degree self governing as today – with a Federal government – at Westminster – largely cut down in size.
The Lords – which is a insult to democracy must go – and to save money – at lteast in the short term – it can be argued an English parliament should be centred in the Midland region in the future – not London – the Lords Chamber and the Lords financial costs would cover the expense of the new house.
The lib/lab/con intend to break England apart.
Setting up regional ‘parliaments’ which they will gerrymander and share out between them.
Its the PR factor which terrifies them – and is holding their hand at present.
Any English person who loves their country must rally around and stop this political destruction.
All polls show strong support for such a parliament.
I do know that Paul Nuttall is a supporter.
I would be interested in Mr Batten’s views.
Another policy point we should be emphasising too is the scam of ‘citizenship’.
No one on benefits should qualify to be given it.
You should have paid tax and contributed for X number of years for a start.
We are handing out citizenship like sweeties.
Enabling islamics and others to vote in our elections and vote for ever more and in ever greater numbers.
We should have that as one of our top policy issues.
No citizenship unless you are paying tax and have been doing so for a reasonable period – and thats for a start.
Emily,
I don’t disagree with you, Sturgeon and her Welsh equivalent get on my nerves and they were given far too much attention during the referendum and GE. However, at least ‘fish face’ got a kick in the butt from the Scots in the GE.
In a way I quite like the idea of devolution because we give them the money and it is their fault if they miss spend it, but that does not stop them complaining does it<
So, the idea of a an English parliament sounds good to me, and cut down on the amount of people in the HofL to equal that of the HofC. I do not believe in getting rid of them altogether as they are useful in some ways, but some of them are getting a bit long in the tooth.
Gerard, you may have to hold off the retirement,
for the good of the country.
UKIP need to think big. Survival and flourishing without Nigel Farage. Whatever Nigel is up to from his MSM ivory tower, he needs to be stopped from pulling the strings of the party. Well done Christine Hamilton (on This Week) for stating this.
She’s not known as “BritishBattleaxe” for noth8ng ?
particularly by Neil
Rob,
I like Christine she is a good egg, and Neil is an asset to our party, I notice he has not said much about ‘our ‘enry’, but then Christine always does all the talking!
Thank you Gerard for putting forward simple common sense policies that must surely rescue UKIP if supported by members. If Bolton wins at the EGM, when there is the alternative of Gerard’s temporary leadership and guidance available, then UKIP is indeed surely lost.
JF,
I agree, at last common sense prevails!
I find myself thinking that this was the plan all along. Get rid of the only party leader since Nigel with the balls to tackle the massively unpopular NEC, the organisation that has done more to thwart Ukip and. Recut than anyone, and put your choice Mr Batten in place to oversee the complete collapse of Ukip. Gerard is a man I highly respect and admire, but he is no leader. His TV appearance lack passion, get too far down into the tall grass so that the point of the question is often lost in technicalities. He is a clear thinker and writes well buts quite frankly he is a charisma free zone.
I remind the NEC that it was not that long ago that the Membership tried unsuccessfully to force an EGM to get rid of the NEC so please, when you load the bases at the EGM as you undoubtedly will, a huge number of true grassroots members would like nothing better than to see Henry defeat the NEC and force them to stand down. Perhaps if the great and the good input parties higher echelons had supported and helped Henry through this difficult period instead of publically lambasting him we would not be where we are now.
An EGM (apart from a no-confidence in leader EGM) cannot remove the NEC. If those calling for a new constitution started with a better understanding if the existing one – and why it was created in its current form – we might make more progress.
It would be helpful if the Constitution were available as a pdf as is the the Rules of Procedure.
Dear Forthurst,
I think you will get what you need at:
http://www.ukip.org/the_constitution
Regards, Toby, 01932-873557
Rules of procedure as PDF is my fault when I reformatted a few years back as part of adding AA and BB.
The constitution is available on ukip.org, and I find the format perfectly readable.
Readable, yes but pdfs have far superior search facilities to html files, certainly with my browser. I agree I can save the html file then export to a pdf, but it’s a bit of a rigmarole.
Dear Forthurst
I have got the constitution in Word format.
If you want it, phone me and I will email it to you as an attachment.
Regards
Toby, 01932-873557
AG,
How can you compare Henry to Nigel? He is not a patch on him, that is why he has become his lapdog, and why would Gerard Batten bring about the downfall of UKIP?
Gerard has already stated he only wants to be interim leader, so why not wait and see how he does? anyone at the moment would be better than Henry IMO, even if they were a remoaner.
Unfortunately, you need to look at our present situation through the eyes of the public who probably know nothing of the NEC, but every sordid detail of Henry’s love life, you cannot gloss it, over the press won’t let you I’m afraid.
So, in Henry’s words ‘Let’s move on’ and elect someone with more sense and not in Nigel’s pocket. In conclusion, I have mixed feelings about the NEC but we did vote them on, and they do not get paid for their services, so perhaps we are expecting too much.
However, I find it difficult to believe we voted in Henry after the way he behaved during the leadership election, and I bet Nigel was behind all that too.
Dear Andrew,
You underestimate Gerard, and you also clearly have no idea of what the NEC have been doing since the Bolton Fiasco started. This time the NEC have got it right. They are representing the overwhelming majority of grassroots activists. I urge you to read the letter I wrote yesterday in order to get the big picture.
There is the common problem. What have the NEC been doing both before HB was elected and since? The members never find out. Oh I forgot they organised a rebranding which was a sham and cost £10,000? which we didn’t have in the first place ‘cos we are bust.
As a result the shop is shut so there is no steady input stream.
Perhaps if Bolton had the slightest inkling of what’s going outside his personal, mid life crisis bubble, you might be right. Sadly you are as stubbornly deluded as he is. No bases will be loaded. 90% of members! or those that are left want him out ASAP.
ANDREW
PLEASE please state WHAT exactly has HB done during his three and a half months prior to the shenanigans with the intent of ‘Tackling the……NEC’ ????
WHAT has he done ?
Did he present a plan for constitutional reform in general ‘
Of for reform of the mechanism of election to the NEC ?
John Bickley has posted elsewhere that the NEC have been EAGERLY AWAITING HB’s proposals ever since September but they have NEVER BEEN FORTHCOMING !
Whatever he comes up with now ( presumably written by Nigel, who also had three years at least during which he declined to present any proposals for reform of the NEC ) will just be a last desperate effort to cling on to the stipend / expenses account.
Don’t be taken in !
“WHAT exactly has HB done during his three and a half months prior to the shenanigans”
Surprised you didn’t notice, here it is, a long list
.
[snip by editor: lack of space]
.
ends
I agree that UKIP is the only real opposition and it has to survive.
The only political party that can deliver BREXIT is the Conservatives.
The Conservative PARTY is paranoid about UKIP: the Vote Leave campaign consider UKIP to be “the enemy” despite working towards the same objective; help offered by the World Expert on leaving the EU (Nigel) has been pointedly shunned.
So the only way to force the Conservatives to deliver the “BREXIT means EXIT” we voted for is to threaten them in the Parliamentary constituencies. Only a political party can do this. There is no time to form another one.
There is currently only one political issue that matters – BREXIT. Everything else is secondary. If the UK does take back control then everything else can be address in due course. If the UK is not in control of its own destiny then everything else is, to a greater or lesser extent, in the hands of the EU.
So, it makes perfect sense for an Interim Leader to be the person best placed to address the most important issue. And Gerrard Batten is clearly that person.
My strong suggestion is that UKIP must change the nature of the BREXIT debate within the UK. There are three issues of which our so called deal with the EU is but one, and in the long term the least important.
Most important is the UK’s future relationships with the rest of the World: a long term UKIP policy of “out of the EU and into the World”.
Second is the future nature of the EU; we need to paint vividly the nature of the EU the Remainers would have had us bound to. From where we are now a return to the status quo anti is not an option, even we wanted it.
Third priority is deal – or no deal. Future World relationship will become far more significant to the point where we can say to the EU this is our offer take it or leave it.
If UKIP is successful on BREXIT then the Party will be seen as of consequence and relevance, and will attract support for the many other worthy policy positions being advocated.
If UKIP fails to become a significant, ideally determining, player on BREXIT all the other issues, no matter how worthy, are pointless as the Public will, rightly, be of the view that if UKIP can’t deliver BREXIT, the heart and soul of their existence, then they are no hopers on everything else.
Developing your second point, Remainers are putting forward the myth that we have the option of REMAINing in the EU, as it used to be, without an EU Army and everything else that has emerged since our Referendum victory.
Is there a better label than ‘Fossilized Remainer’ for them? It would be an uncomfortable talking point for the BBC. 🙂
Going back in time is even harder than fixing the EU.
Gerard is the only person that I will support as Interim Leader as 1. He has put out a full manifesto and 2. He is an elected MEP.
I.e. can afford to hold the job ?
Gerard, what a breath of fresh air !
‘The Way Forward’ with the £ logo will energise UKIP and attract public support.
Good news at last for UKIP.
Yes totally agree. We have to get rid of Lenny the Lion anyway as it is not registered and Gerard will be a safe pair of hands.
Plus the Lion would turn into an unrecognisable smudge on Ballot Papers (probably) whereas the £ logo is instantly recognisable, especially when ‘they’ allow fake UPIK parties to appear above UKIP on ballot papers to confuse voters.
Plus Plus the Lion is already used as a logo with Britain First, Football ?, Tate & Lyle (Abram Lyle & Sons) golden syrup tins,
well those spring to mind.
I have downloaded the emblem agreed with the Premier League and reduced it to 2cm square: UKIP is legible; the Lion is discernible but ‘For the Nation’ is not, so it does not comply with our agreement with the Premier League.
thanks forthurst for sharing the research
I gather the plan was that the logo on ballot papers would be same as the twitter and facebook one, i.e. UKIP in a circle…
thanks Rob, I believe I do not use facebook or twitter and therefore have not seen UKIP inside a circle. To be honest the important thing is just to get Gerard in as interim leader as soon as possibe.
Agreed.
What lion? You mean the Smudge? Or the Blur?
Alec,
But has’nt Lenny the Lion cost us a fortune in the rebrand?
I don’t really know Donald but I am sure you are right. It was never put to the membership for approval only voted on by those at the Torquay Conference. If Gerard becomes Interim Leader it will be ditched and we will be back with our instantly recognised £ logo.
Alec,
Okay, but I like the Lion, perhaps we could do the democratic thing and vote on it. Just an idea.
Totally agree.
Nigel’s strategy – sorry Bolton’s – is Bolton v the NEC and from Nigel’s previous destructive intervention that spawned the unhinged Woolfe Pack he is probably hoping for a similar Corbyn Momentum style take over of the party.
It needs to be re-framed as Bolton v Batten, no matter that Gerard would only be an interim leader. Bolton v Batten guarantees Bolton loses.
This is why I keep suggesting that instead of waiting till the date of the EGM the NEC needs to NOW nominate Gerard as its ‘Prospective Interim Leader’ for the event that the EGM supports the NEC.
If anyone agrees they need to support my suggestion and maybe email the NEC members individually to that effect ( addresses in the December Independence mag )
Simple, straightforward but common sense from beginning to end. How difficult might it be to convince the electorate that this is the way forward for everyone?
In the “Document” I would have liked some greater emphasis on the avoidance of an Islamic Caliphate, by “Default” i.e. the inevitable progress of percentage increase in the population by Muslims through birth and immigration to critical mass in we are told the next 20 or 30 years – egged on of course, by rogue Imams and mosques
Roger,
He does touch on this in his interview with MBGA TV which I have asked Kippers to watch on previous threads.
So why not on the document?, surely the document is more important than the interview.
Also I did watch the video and maybe you are right, but unfortunately I am ancient and limited hearing and I don`t think my lap top speaker is up to much anyway, so I got the general gist, but to me the document is highly necessary and I would guess I am not the only one.
I`m glad you agree with my point, that this aspect of the Islamic threat must be included in the UKIP narrative.
Along with this I would like it brought out, how they treat their own womenfolk legally (in their eyes) as second class beings and make sure that through a mixture of lack of education and threat they are kept in -abouts and discouraged from mixing socially and becoming integrated British citizens.
Roger,
That meal as a prize with Henry, cannot imagine anything worse, will it be held at the Liberal club and will he be bringing his girlfriend along?
You saying she’s the raffle prize? O dear
Roger,
I don’t know, you would have to ask him.
But you must admit that was a pretty comprehensive interview and very honest I thought. I just want a true patriot who does not lie and is not out for the leadership for self glory, it is not a lot to ask for is it?
“However, in the attached document I lay out my vision for the Party. I hope you find it of interest” – we do!
Someone should have a quiet word with Nigel. His intervention in the Bolton débacle is destructive not constructive. He risks being remembered for undermining or destroying his own party or of being humiliated along with Bolton at the EGM.
Bolton’s entire career has been one of following orders. Nigel was probably pleased to have found the perfect puppet therefore after all his previous choices proved disastrous. We do not know if he is motivated to help Bolton because he fears a future leader who will not do his bidding or because he wants an attack on the NEC to fail to provide an excuse for a new 5 star style party that he and Banks fantasise about. Whatever the misjudged motive the divisive and destructive effect is the same. Nigel overestimates his (blind) support in the party. Yes, there are still members who will think and do as he directs but their number is down and diminishing. So, yes, someone needs to have a quiet word. And if that person or persons really cares about the party and respects the many members who have sacrificed much for our cause don’t pull the punches. Bullies are cowards at root so let Nigel know that where the bodies are buried is also known so back off.
I hope there is massive attendance at the EGM. It will help if the poll of members is as definitive as possible. Nigel needs to realise that the fake news show that was his obviously scripted theatre with Diane James repelled more members than it fooled.
UKIP does indeed need to survive for the good of Britain. Apparently Nigel does not share that view.
Dear Stout Yeoman,
I tried to have a public word with Nigel yesterday in my letter that was published. Of course we have no idea if Nigel reads ukipdaily, probably not. He’s too busy jetting around the world and fighting battles on a bigger stage. Perhaps I’ll print it out and post it to him by snail mail.
nigel.farage@europarl.europa.eu
Might be quicker?
His inbox used to be managed by George Cottrel. George is out jail now but I don’t know if he is back reading emails for him. Suspect it may be Laure Ferrari now. I doubt email is the best way to communicate with Nigel.
The chap who was arrested in America?
SY,
Agree, try buying him an expensive meal that may work, then charge it to UKIP’s account that will definitely work, it has in the past it would appear.
Rob,
Yep, that’s the one.
To DD,
Talking about expensive meals, I seem to recall there was one offered as a prize in the “draw” with the infamous HB – did anybody win it – who pays – what`s the likelihood of his turning up.
Dear Stout (Yeoman),
You say “Someone should have a quiet word with Nigel.”
Unfortunately John Moran is no longer with us.
John was totally loyal to Nigel. As a result when John did whisper advice into Nigel’s ear it was often listened to.
John Moran died, in Weybridge, before the referendum. I was the last person to visit him in the nursing home.
Nigel attended the funeral in Leatherhead.
Regards, Toby, 01932-873557
Tragic news, I liked John.
He once told me he so,d a set of Brittanicas to a family with three encyclopaedias already!
Dear Rob,
You say “sold a set of Britannicas to a family with three encyclopaedias already!”.
Yes. That’s the man.
By the time the story reached our branch (at an AGM) the family, on a US base in Germany, already had 5 encyclopaedias.
A lot of staunch members, who worked incredibly hard, died before the referendum result, which I find sad.
Regards, Toby, 01932-873557
Thank you for that sad info Toby. As past London members we liaised with John a lot.
Good luck, Gerard!
Damn right Gerard. It was abundantly clear that Bolton was useless or a wrecker within a few weeks of taking office; he didn’t even do the basics of proper communication with the party members, we heard nothing interesting for weeks. He had no plan about better UKIP output, all we saw were a few weak media appearances and the inevitable dull tweets BUT nothing bold, punchy or stirring. His truly pathetic Christmas video (which went out late on Boxing day) was embarrassing rubbish, most teenagers could do better. I urge Kippers still supporting this walking disaster to read the comments following his article in the Daily Telegraph on Wednesday 23rd – what readers say tells us everything we need to know, this is free market research and if Bolton had ANY integrity, he’d apologise, then walk away in shame, quietly –
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/01/23/let-get-leading-ukip-will-hold-complacent-pro-eu-elites-feet/
Thanks for link, humorous comment by ‘Tim Fallon’ on “safe pair of hands”
On the technicality that you could not be nominated ‘Interim Leader’ until HB actually resigns or the EGM votes to confirm the NEC’s decision that may be correct.
However, the situation is analogous to that in Parliamentary constituencies prior to a General Election : No~one may be a ‘candidate’ for whatever Party as no election has been called. BUT Parties do nominate well in advance their ‘ PROSPECTIVE Parliamentary Candidate ‘ for each seat.
Similarly, at the present time ( late Jan ) it would be perfectly proper for the NEC to nominate you, GB, or Steve Crowther or whomever as ‘PROSPECTIVE INTERIM LEADER’.
I do not see what you / SC should not assume that title ( the NEC agreeing, of course, which could be done by a round of emails, rather than requiring a full on Meeting ) .
Armed with that title it is urgent that you confront the ludicrous narrative being hyped up by Nigel / HB that the EGM will be a Battle Royal between Plucky Little Hero with loads of Ideas vs Reactionary Old Guard who stuck Spokes in Nigel’s Wheel.
You should not wait till the date of the EGM to start countering the Nigel ~inspired fantasy as Nigel has a powerful platform at LBC / The Telegraph and at the moment his is the story which risks gaining traction.
To repeat : you ( or Steve ) should be nominated P.I.L. ~ Prospective Interim Leader ~ forthwith. Then send your arguments out to all Branch Chairs and ask them to distribute to each member of their respective Branch. ( As well as in the national media of course ).
rhys burriss
( who has been ‘Prospective Parliamentary Candidate’ for about four months in Bishop Auckland, prior to the G.E. of 2015 )
Someone sent me Gerard’s excellent blueprint last night – too late to screech Typo, that classic January special where you forget to change the year.
Gerard thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this article – if only it could persuade Henry to come to his senses and resign
Dear Purplepottymouth. I agree 100% with what you say. However, it is difficult to get someone who is deeply deluded to come to their senses.
Beverley,
I am of the opinion that only Nigel can persuade him to resign now, and he will probably want a big pay off, as he has a lot of bills to pay. He should be made to pay back to UKIP all his extravagant expenses IMO, especially, if it can be determined he spent it on ‘that female’.
I couldn’t help wonder who paid the £52 taxi fare for JM from Henry’s flat back to her parents’ house the other night, or who is paying for their candlelit dinners at the Liberal Club. I was thinking of making a few quid myself actually, by hiding in the bushes and taking their photo then selling it to the MSM.
If you want a few quid you can sell me one of those proxy votes Paul Oakden promised you ?
Rabbit,
Yea, that would be good, I see you are not called Rabbit for nothing, if I come with you in my duck disguise can I share in the proceeds?