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Lewkip · 06-05-2006, 04:23 PM

Andy,

I can share your pessimism. But look at the results in my borough Lewisham: The Lib-Dems steamed ahead with ten new seats and the Greens picked up five new ones too. But nationally, both parties failed to replicate this upset result.

Why?

Because local action on the ground irrespective of national feeling is a decisive factor in elections. Had these parties been as hard core in all wards as they were in their target ones then the news headlines would be very different.

There are only so many resources one can use to target but is that the only way?

Why can we not take a leaf out of the franchise industry that develops territories irrespective of the demographics that we use to justify our targetting. I suggest that a random sample of 5% of any community in the UK will probably throw up the same kind of preferences and fears, regardless of location. These communities are probably more alike than we care to realise, and while there are specific causes and concerns, they can essentially be boiled down to issues of neglect that is common to all.

It seems to me that our response ought to be based on tackling causes of concern as a business need: Identifying, reporting, following up and communicating on issues rather than dwelling on the concerns itself. And just like any franchisee's obligation to keep the shine on the franchisor's name plate, there ought to be systematic and continuous marketing and promotion of the business.

No, I think there is a lot we can still do, without a name change, without merging with other parties. There are countless stories on companies being brought back from the brink of disaster and UKIP is not unusual in this regard. And yes I appreciate UKIP is not a commercial entity but much like a company, we will thrive or die by how relevant we are to the public.

It's not all lost.

06-05-2006, 04:23 PM	#16 (permalink)
Lewkip Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Lewisham Posts: 214	Andy: It's not all lost Andy, I can share your pessimism. But look at the results in my borough Lewisham: The Lib-Dems steamed ahead with ten new seats and the Greens picked up five new ones too. But nationally, both parties failed to replicate this upset result. Why? Because local action on the ground irrespective of national feeling is a decisive factor in elections. Had these parties been as hard core in all wards as they were in their target ones then the news headlines would be very different. There are only so many resources one can use to target but is that the only way? Why can we not take a leaf out of the franchise industry that develops territories irrespective of the demographics that we use to justify our targetting. I suggest that a random sample of 5% of any community in the UK will probably throw up the same kind of preferences and fears, regardless of location. These communities are probably more alike than we care to realise, and while there are specific causes and concerns, they can essentially be boiled down to issues of neglect that is common to all. It seems to me that our response ought to be based on tackling causes of concern as a business need: Identifying, reporting, following up and communicating on issues rather than dwelling on the concerns itself. And just like any franchisee's obligation to keep the shine on the franchisor's name plate, there ought to be systematic and continuous marketing and promotion of the business. No, I think there is a lot we can still do, without a name change, without merging with other parties. There are countless stories on companies being brought back from the brink of disaster and UKIP is not unusual in this regard. And yes I appreciate UKIP is not a commercial entity but much like a company, we will thrive or die by how relevant we are to the public. It's not all lost.