|
Administrator
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Long Ashton, Bristol
Posts: 10,192
Party: None
|
UKIP Local
http://www.ukipforum.co.uk/ukip-local.doc
By Denis Brookes (I think)
Quote:
UKIP Local
Working for the Community
Introduction
We need to be aware that the UKIP has to adopt a three-pronged approach to ‘marketing’ itself. Firstly, we have to strive to obtain Party representation at Westminster. Secondly, we have to maximise the inbuilt advantages of a ‘PR’ electoral system to have MEPs elected at the European elections, and, thirdly, we must achieve a firm foundation of UKIP councillors throughout the country at town, district, borough and county levels.
The second goal has been achieved handsomely in 2004 when we had 12 MEPs elected. The first goal has so far eluded us and, at the current rate of increase in our level of support, it is hard to see the UKIP being even an Opposition within 20 years – never mind a Government.
During the recent election campaign, mention of the EU/constitution/euro elicited the same response from many people – that these issues are rated very low on their scale of priorities. Unfortunately, the emphasis on these and other related matters left the UK Independence Party in an awkward position, as the public’s perception of UKIP then became one of a ‘single issue’ party.
Surely, the answer is for us to promote the problems of EU membership only at European elections; to emphasise our Manifesto commitments at General elections, and to deal solely with local issues at local elections.
The Party has to grasp the fact the it is able to offer what the voters want to hear at different times. The question that now has to be asked is – how do we convince the public that we are not only different from the other three parties, but do have something different to offer?
We have to have a track record of involvement with the community and seen to be making a difference at grass roots level. We have to persuade the public, with deeds not words, that we are a viable alternative to the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat political monopoly.
How can we achieve this? We feel the answer is simple – UKIP Local. Remember, there is no political party which has managed to have an MP elected without having local representation. Remember also, this is a long term project that will require time and sustained effort, but the prospect of increased membership and seats in local councils, and ultimately Westminster, must surely be worth that effort.
Regional Organiser, West Midlands. Denis Brookes
Registered Nominating Officer. Denis Brookes,
40 Stokesay Road, Buntingsdale, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 2HD
Tel. 01630 639523 E-mail. dbrookesukip@aol.com
(Our thanks to David Samuel-Camps for the original document on UKIP Local)
Aims and objectives
UKIP Local is now being launched in the West Midlands Region. It aims to help either individuals or groups with problems in the local community and we have classified problems INTO phpbb_two categories – Residential and Rural.
Residential problems may concern street parking, private development, the state of roads and pavements, local amenities and so on, whilst Rural Contamination may cover environmental, pollution, and farming issues.
The aim is to contact the council or any other organisation on behalf of the public to try and resolve any difficulties they may be experiencing.
The objective is to involve the UK Independence Party in local issues in order to raise the profile of the Party locally and thereby encourage people to join the Party and achieve success in local and general elections.
The people involved in UKIP Local are not politicians, but are happy to use the resources at their disposal to bring pressure to bear where necessary in order to determine whether plans, ideas or proposals are in the best interests of the local population and what course of action might be useful in achieving a satisfactory outcome.
If any organisation, group or individual has a problem, maybe UKIP Local can help. We cannot guarantee a successful outcome but a problem shared is a problem halved. The following pages are examples of how to approach local problems and have already been proved to work in areas where UKIP Local has been in operation.
Aims
To engage with the public to help resolve problems:
· Residential - street parking, noise, housing development, roads & pavements etc.
· Rural - environment, pollution, farming issues etc .
Objectives
For the UK Independence Party to be involved in local issues in order to:
· Raise the Party’s profile locally
· Increase membership
· Win seats on local councils
· Create the springboard for success at General Elections
Getting Organised
Find out the names and addresses of all your local and parish councillors and which wards they represent. It will be necessary to contact them in order to facilitate any action you are taking on behalf of an individual or organisation. However, in any successful outcome it is important that UKIP Local gets the credit for resolving the problem. It is useful to find out the names of the council, highway, etc officials who are responsible for various departments so that you can contact them direct.
The local newspapers are a good source for local issues and a letter to any potential client will make them aware of your existence (an example of a standard letter follows).
“Dear Resident
UKIP Local has just been launched by …………..Branch. It aims to help either individuals or groups with problems in the local community and we have classified problems INTO phpbb_two categories – Residential Contamination and Rural Contamination. Residential problems may concern street parking, the state of roads and pavements, local amenities and so on whilst Rural Contamination may cover environmental, pollution, and farming issues.
We will contact the council or any other organisation on your behalf to try and resolve any difficulties you may be experiencing.
The people involved in UKIP Local are not politicians, but are happy to use the resources at their disposal to bring pressure to bear where necessary in order to determine whether plans, ideas or proposals are in the best interests of the local population and what course of action might be useful in achieving a satisfactory outcome.
If you or your organisation has a problem, maybe we can help. We cannot guarantee a successful outcome but a problem shared is a problem halved. Call or write to the address below.”
Find out if any of your members belong to other groups or organisations such as Resident Associations, Road Safety, Town Centre Development or local clubs. This can be a useful source of information for problems or difficulties that could be taken up by UKIP Local.
Many of the problems you set out to resolve may appear minor or petty, but to those people who are involved it may be inflicting on their daily lives. Uneven pavements are a nightmare to the elderly for example; abandoned vehicles; noisy neighbours and so on.
As a general rule don’t go on about the EU. Stick to local issues – that’s what your electors want to talk about.
Getting Organised
· List of local and parish councillors and their wards.
· Use of local newspapers. Issue press releases and write letters – always state UKIP Local. Find out about local issues. Remember to visit your local reporters and introduce yourself.
· Utilise UKIP members who may belong to other groups – Residents Associations, local clubs etc.
· Find out the names of council officials for further reference.
· Standard type letter to inform groups/individuals:
“Dear Resident
UKIP Local has just been launched by …………..Branch. It aims to help either individuals or groups with problems in the local community and we have classified problems INTO phpbb_two categories – Residential Contamination and Rural Contamination. Residential problems may concern street parking, the state of roads and pavements, local amenities and so on whilst Rural Contamination may cover environmental, pollution, and farming issues.
We will contact the council or any other organisation on your behalf to try and resolve any difficulties you may be experiencing.
The people involved in UKIP Local are not politicians, but are happy to use the resources at their disposal to bring pressure to bear where necessary in order to determine whether plans, ideas or proposals are in the best interests of the local population and what course of action might be useful in achieving a satisfactory outcome.
If you or your organisation has a problem, maybe we can help. We cannot guarantee a successful outcome but a problem shared is a problem halved. Call or write to the address below.”
Examples of letters to the local newspaper and a resident association informing them that UKIP Local has started in your
Conclusion
UKIP Local will require dedicated and sustained team work and a lot of research and letter writing. It is important to take time and trouble investigating any problem before pen is put to paper.
One example of this is the proposal to form a Primary Care Trust in the Eastleigh area. Complaints were received from a number of people, worried that working relationships – set up over ten years - between GPs and other health care providers would be ended. A quick straw poll of surgeries in the area revealed that 50% of family practices were in favour, provided the funding was in place, whilst the remainder were against any change, and all were worried that extra administration and an added layer of bureaucracy would result. Consequently a letter was sent to the NHS Chief Executive (of the area NHS) querying the possible benefits of the of the new proposals.
A letter criticising the project, without proper research, might alienate those responsible leaving UKIP Local in a poor light. In Southampton, action by the branch has resulted in the Chairperson of a local Residents Association joining the Party! So intervention by UKIP Local has already borne fruit.
In Market Drayton, Shropshire, a survey was carried out over four weeks to obtain residents’ views on car parking charges. Over 1,200 doors were knocked in order to obtain 650 signatures. This was able to run in the local press for weeks and in part resulted in five UKIP councillors being elected to the Town council and one on the District Council.
Also bear in mind that UKIP Local is basically non-political – it is a means to raise peoples awareness that we exist as an alternative to the other main parties which will result in more members and elected representatives.
Lastly, but most importantly! Don’t think you will get yourself elected by coming out of the woodwork a month before an election, putting out a few thousand leaflets and sitting back waiting to be crowned. You won’t be!
Start your work at least one year before the local elections are due to be held and in that time KNOCK ON EVERY DOOR IN YOUR WARD AND SPEAK WITH ALL THE ELECTORS (IF THEY ARE OUT, KEEP GOING BACK UNTIL YOU MAKE CONTACT).
Use the electoral register so that you can keep a record of who you have spoken to and can greet people by name when they come to the door. If you need authority for the register ask the Party’s Nominating Officer, Denis Brookes, for an authorisation letter.
Follow this advice and you will be elected.
Good luck!
|
|
28-05-2005, 12:59 AM
Linear Mode
