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22ANDUK · 03-05-2008, 10:40 AM

OK, the results are in, nothing really great to say about UKIP's campaign. A few Councillors nationwide have been gained, but other than that it seems almost a step backward - I have barely heard the word 'UKIP' mentioned at all.

Rather than put a spin on things (I'm sure UKIP are better than that), what do you think is the way forward.

There'll be a European Election next May and a General Election within two years so surely 'root and branch' reform is on the way?

Do people favour the sustainable growth theory, one favoured by the Liberal Democrats, Greens and BNP, that a minor or fringe party has to build upon Council election successes upwards? Or is UKIP better placed to fight 'national' seats - targetting 10 top areas and going big guns for MPs and MEPS?

I would personally see a party start from the bottom and build a party, having Councillors doing good work across the country rather than going for a 'top heavy' approach. UKIP should be much more about real 'Independence', not just from the EU, but also from big British government and a real sene of freedom - it would be no good having a UKIP MP in Parliament if the Constituency they represent has an over-zealous, controlling bureaucracy of a Council - undermining the principles of its MP. I would also like to see at least 8/9 solid MEPs gained at the Euro Elections.

Fair enough, a poor 2008 so far, but why not now identify 10 Consituencies (now), put 90% of money and effort in targetting them (now) for the next election - going for a win of 3/4 Councillors in each (so a target of at least 30/40 Councillors gained).

In addition to this, do the same in Bob Spink's Castle Point constituency in Essex so that it shows that UKIP can win its own seat - especially despite a national swing to the Tories.

I'm not a expert political strategist, maybe UKIP is already doing this, but perhaps in two years from now UKIP will have, from here to then, gained 30/40 Councillors, 8/9 MEPS and have an MP re-elected, as well as perhaps coming at least 2nd/3rd in Parliamentary seats?

03-05-2008, 10:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
22ANDUK Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,438	Where from here? OK, the results are in, nothing really great to say about UKIP's campaign. A few Councillors nationwide have been gained, but other than that it seems almost a step backward - I have barely heard the word 'UKIP' mentioned at all. Rather than put a spin on things (I'm sure UKIP are better than that), what do you think is the way forward. There'll be a European Election next May and a General Election within two years so surely 'root and branch' reform is on the way? Do people favour the sustainable growth theory, one favoured by the Liberal Democrats, Greens and BNP, that a minor or fringe party has to build upon Council election successes upwards? Or is UKIP better placed to fight 'national' seats - targetting 10 top areas and going big guns for MPs and MEPS? I would personally see a party start from the bottom and build a party, having Councillors doing good work across the country rather than going for a 'top heavy' approach. UKIP should be much more about real 'Independence', not just from the EU, but also from big British government and a real sene of freedom - it would be no good having a UKIP MP in Parliament if the Constituency they represent has an over-zealous, controlling bureaucracy of a Council - undermining the principles of its MP. I would also like to see at least 8/9 solid MEPs gained at the Euro Elections. Fair enough, a poor 2008 so far, but why not now identify 10 Consituencies (now), put 90% of money and effort in targetting them (now) for the next election - going for a win of 3/4 Councillors in each (so a target of at least 30/40 Councillors gained). In addition to this, do the same in Bob Spink's Castle Point constituency in Essex so that it shows that UKIP can win its own seat - especially despite a national swing to the Tories. I'm not a expert political strategist, maybe UKIP is already doing this, but perhaps in two years from now UKIP will have, from here to then, gained 30/40 Councillors, 8/9 MEPS and have an MP re-elected, as well as perhaps coming at least 2nd/3rd in Parliamentary seats?