Should Roger Knapman resign?

eublues · 07-05-2006, 09:18 PM

This business does revive nagging thoughts of who amongst the MEPs is really giving 100% of their efforts to getting us out of the EU (as loyal foot-slogging UKIP members would reasonably expect), and who is playing along very nicely with things as they are as MEPs, together with parallel money making activities the real priority.

Independent UKIP · 07-05-2006, 10:08 PM

As he is going anyway in a few months is it really in the best interests of the party to give a load of free publicity to the press & broadcast media as in "UKIP leader quits in immigrants scandal" etc? Unless there was some illegality I can't see the broadcast media bothering with the original story but they would sure run it if he is forced out now. And I doubt majority of UKIP members let alone voters are even aware of the story right now & fewer will care.

Christina · 07-05-2006, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Independent UKIP

As he is going anyway in a few months is it really in the best interests of the party to give a load of free publicity to the press & broadcast media as in "UKIP leader quits in immigrants scandal" etc? Unless there was some illegality I can't see the broadcast media bothering with the original story but they would sure run it if he is forced out now. And I doubt majority of UKIP members let alone voters are even aware of the story right now & fewer will care.

Well it is in today's Independent for starters. I would not be surprised if millions are made aware on Have I Got News For You as well.

Anthony Butcher · 08-05-2006, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Independent UKIP

As he is going anyway in a few months is it really in the best interests of the party to give a load of free publicity to the press & broadcast media as in "UKIP leader quits in immigrants scandal" etc? Unless there was some illegality I can't see the broadcast media bothering with the original story but they would sure run it if he is forced out now. And I doubt majority of UKIP members let alone voters are even aware of the story right now & fewer will care.

What will the consequences of him not standing down be?

Christina · 08-05-2006, 12:18 AM

If the UKIP membership demanded that RK resign, it would show that UKIP as a party will have no truck with such hypocrisy. Yes, it will be reported in the media, but the report would be of a party that gets rid of their leader on grounds of hypocrisy and badmothing British workers. The alternative is to be seen as condoning it.

mkpdavies · 08-05-2006, 01:12 AM

If he doesn't resign, then UKIP has to sack him to prove it is still a party worth supporting. He has let us down in a big way and nothing more than wift removal is acceptable.

With these actions, he has shown himself up as being no better than the old style politicians. Indeed, I now don't trust him AT ALL.

Get him out now.

Wessex · 08-05-2006, 02:44 AM

Obviously here the global labour market comes before national interests. This is really the policy of big business that supports the Conservatives. Roger Knapman is still a Conservative at heart and doubtless will return when he steps down. This and the single issue aspect of UKIP has prevented the party from becoming other than a side-chapel for unhappy Conservatives over Europe. But then UKIP will have to develop other policies if it is to grow and attract the votes of those who hate the Blair/Cameron centre-ground model. I am still not convinced whether it really wants to be anything other than a pressure group.

Mikeuk · 08-05-2006, 09:47 AM

Personally I think Roger Knapman has been an excellend leader of UKIP, just as he showed great principle when he was a Tory MP.

All this bleating comes from people who would be very likely to do any better, in the unlikely event that they were placed in his shoes.

harryaldridge · 08-05-2006, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkpdavies

If he doesn't resign, then UKIP has to sack him to prove it is still a party worth supporting. .

UKIP cannot afford to have leaders that make stupid mistakes and destroy the hard work of its loyal supporters who put in the work trying to build faith in the party.

Biscuitman · 08-05-2006, 11:30 AM

Quote:

It's not all politicians, BA. You need an honest one, that's all.

I'm not top of the ple with grammatical terms but isnt that an oxymoron, (as opposed to a ukipmoron).

For what it's worth - I like Roger very much - but this has made his position unattenable - he must do the honourable thing and resign as leader and MEP.

A very sad day in UKIP's history I'm afraid.

View Poll Results: Should Roger Knapman resign?
Yes	64	77.11%
No	19	22.89%
Voters: 83. You may not vote on this poll

08-05-2006, 01:12 AM	#26 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,615	If he doesn't resign, then UKIP has to sack him to prove it is still a party worth supporting. He has let us down in a big way and nothing more than wift removal is acceptable. With these actions, he has shown himself up as being no better than the old style politicians. Indeed, I now don't trust him AT ALL. Get him out now. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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07-05-2006, 09:18 PM	#21 (permalink)
eublues Uber Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,951	This business does revive nagging thoughts of who amongst the MEPs is really giving 100% of their efforts to getting us out of the EU (as loyal foot-slogging UKIP members would reasonably expect), and who is playing along very nicely with things as they are as MEPs, together with parallel money making activities the real priority.

07-05-2006, 10:08 PM	#22 (permalink)
Independent UKIP Uber Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Posts: 2,142	As he is going anyway in a few months is it really in the best interests of the party to give a load of free publicity to the press & broadcast media as in "UKIP leader quits in immigrants scandal" etc? Unless there was some illegality I can't see the broadcast media bothering with the original story but they would sure run it if he is forced out now. And I doubt majority of UKIP members let alone voters are even aware of the story right now & fewer will care.

08-05-2006, 12:18 AM	#25 (permalink)
Christina Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NW England Posts: 1,521	If the UKIP membership demanded that RK resign, it would show that UKIP as a party will have no truck with such hypocrisy. Yes, it will be reported in the media, but the report would be of a party that gets rid of their leader on grounds of hypocrisy and badmothing British workers. The alternative is to be seen as condoning it.

08-05-2006, 02:44 AM	#27 (permalink)
Wessex Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 22	Obviously here the global labour market comes before national interests. This is really the policy of big business that supports the Conservatives. Roger Knapman is still a Conservative at heart and doubtless will return when he steps down. This and the single issue aspect of UKIP has prevented the party from becoming other than a side-chapel for unhappy Conservatives over Europe. But then UKIP will have to develop other policies if it is to grow and attract the votes of those who hate the Blair/Cameron centre-ground model. I am still not convinced whether it really wants to be anything other than a pressure group.

08-05-2006, 09:47 AM	#28 (permalink)
Mikeuk Uber Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fareham Posts: 5,279 Party: UKIP	Personally I think Roger Knapman has been an excellend leader of UKIP, just as he showed great principle when he was a Tory MP. All this bleating comes from people who would be very likely to do any better, in the unlikely event that they were placed in his shoes.