Thread: UKIP NOT to stand?

UK Independence Party - UKIP MEP applauds Davis stand

UK Independence Party MEP Godfrey Bloom has paid tribute to Shadow Home Secretary David Davis following his resignation from the House of Commons over the 42-day detention of terrorist suspects and his decision to fight a by-election on the issue.

Mr Bloom said: "As Yorkshire's UKIP MEP and as his constituent, I applaud David Davis's stand in defence of our fundamental British rights and freedoms.

"I hope, of course, that this includes the Treaty of Lisbon, which represents a much larger threat than any laws being debated in Westminster.

"In this case, I would be happy to campaign for David Davis in this by-election."

Mr Davis has been Conservative MP for Haltemprice and Howden, near Hull, since 1997. In 2005 he won a majority of 5,116 over the Liberal Democrat candidate. The Lib Dems have said they will not fight the forthcoming by-election.

FT.com | Westminster Blog | Going out in a blaze of glory

As it is, he will still win - not least because the Lib Dems and UKIP will not put up a candidate (Labour is undecided for now). But how will anyone know whether this is because the good people of Haltemprice and Howden, in North Yorkshire, are committed to the ancient liberties of the United Kingdom?

www.thelondondailynews.com

The Liberal Democrats, who supported Davis in the vote, will not field a candidate, nor will UKIP and the Greens - Labour is considering following suit.

Comments?

Originally Posted by blueblood1920

UK Independence Party - UKIP MEP applauds Davis stand



FT.com | Westminster Blog | Going out in a blaze of glory



www.thelondondailynews.com



Comments?

How about a comment from you thicko,its your thread as you started it.

It would be amazing if UKIP did not stand.
Don't forget Davies belongs, and will be a candidate for a party dedicated to Britain's membership of the EU.

If UKIP back Davies, then they are backing Britain's membership of the EU.

Originally Posted by Jeff

How about a comment from you thicko,its your thread as you started it.

I hope UKIP dont stand and that BNP do stand, but I think the comments from UKIP members are more important.

UKIP will not contest the Parliamentary By-Election at Haltemprice and Howden according to the Daily Telegraph this evening and the Labour Party may not field a candidate either the newspaper also reports:

David Davis's 42 day detention resignation 'may backfire' - Telegraph

Originally Posted by Anthony Butcher

I wonder if the real reason that UKIP is passing up the biggest opportunity in four years is because its new MP, Bob Spink, screwed them over by voting with the Government. If the entire by-election (if it can still be called that) is about the 42 day detention, then UKIP's position would be very awkward.

Or is it simply that the other parties are all conspiring to make Davis look slightly ridiculous standing in a by-election against... himself.

I think your scepticism on both counts is completely justified. I have come to the same conclusion myself.

Originally Posted by harryaldridge

I think it is fair to simply say that because Bob Spink was elected on his own manifesto, and not a UKIP manifesto, that the party therefore awards him slightly more latitude than they would a directly elected UKIP MP.

It is not incosistent for UKIP MEPs or the party generally to oppose 42 day detention just because Bob Spink voted the other way. Admittedly it does look a little odd, but I don't think it is inconsistent.

I think our decision not to run is partly due to Spink's vote. I think we could have got around the issue of Spinks vote by saying that the party allowed Mr. Spink to vote his conscience. We could then have attacked DD by asking how many Tory MPs were whipped into voting against 42 days against their consciences. We could also have asked him about his role in whipping. Tory MPs to vote for Maastricht, a treaty that removed our ability to govern ourselves, and about his role in whipping Tory MPs to vote for illiberal legislation put forward by Michael Howard when he was Home Secretary.

I think we could have seriously embarrassed Mr. Davis into a position where he either had to take a more Eurosceptic stance (in order to protect his position that he is defending civil liberties) or risk looking a hypocrite.