IS UKIP RICHMOND BRANCH tactless with its campaighn?

SponPlague · 12-08-2005, 09:13 PM

I asked Petrina Holdsworth to clarify policy, a while back, before launching my candidate/ branch service for the election.
www.ukip-reigateepsommolevalley.org being an example. [Idea was that non-technically savvy branches/ candidates should still be able to have access to a simple website...

] The following was posted to the party website shortly afterwards, is still there (albeit not so visible - search on manic), and I quote:

By Petrina Holdsworth – Party Chairman

There has been a great deal of discussion in regard to the Party’s policy on branch websites. I would like to make our policy clear to everyone.

It has been our intention to introduce a generic look for the national website, the individual MEP sites, the regional sites and the sites created for the branches and constituency associations. The idea is to create a co-ordinated websites programme that gives the Party a professional internet profile. It is clear that the other parties have a similarly organised approach. What we want to avoid is dozens of new UKIP websites coming on line that all look completely different and of hugely variable quality.

To that end we asked Manic Monday Limited, the designers of the national and MEP websites to create a generic website for branches and associations. This is available and ready to go for anyone wishing to create a UKIP web presence. The cost is £170.00 plus VAT (£199.75). For that one-off charge, Manic Monday will provide you with a working website and train one person from your branch/association in how to update it. They will also provide an e-mail query service, so that you can write to them for advice with any problems that may crop up.

However, the Party does recognise that some branches and constituency associations have limited funds. The suggestion we would make is that you approach other branches and/or constituency associations in your area and club together to meet the cost. You could then create a single website which represents all of those who chip in towards the cost. Obviously, you would need to agree a suitable name for the site e.g. if it were branches in Lincolnshire, it could be called www.ukiplincs.co.uk

Obviously, we would prefer branches/associations to work with Manic Monday Limited but if you do approach other companies or individuals, please liase with UKIP’s Website Co-ordinator, Stuart Gulleford at stuartgulleford@ukip.org He will want to examine any site that is created for your branch to ensure that the UKIP logo and colours are used in the correct way.

Please also ensure that your website is regularly updated. Be aware that some enthusiastic amateurs offering you low cost websites are often not able to provide you with the post launch support you need to help you to keep your site up to date. With the Manic Monday Limited solution, a branch representative is trained to take on this vital work, so control is in your own hands.

I hope this clears up any misunderstandings about our website policy and that you will agree that this is a sensible way to prepare our websites programme for the next election.

Petrina Holdsworth
Chairman – UK Independence Party

=======

As part of preparation for the above, [out of work, time to spare...] I trawled the 'net for rogue UKIP sites, and contacted the branch offering an update service. The most notorious is UKIP Eastliegh -

ops: http://www.ukip.20m.com/index1.htm

ops: which features a picture of "MEP and UKIP Leader Jeffrey Titford" on its banner! :?

Last thing I heard, the branch authorised a revamp, then nowt. I wouldn't mind losing the business [I'm back in work], so long as someone updated the damn thing :!: :evil: :!: Oh well... :roll:

Oliver · 12-08-2005, 09:18 PM

Gimlet is spot on. the easiest way to regulate, would be to use templates (free) and get the branch/assoc to sign up to regulation and agreed terms to use the free templates

Bluemerle · 12-08-2005, 09:50 PM

The official UKIP site needs a makeover. I am not impressed with Manic Monday.

SponPlague · 13-08-2005, 09:04 AM

ManicMonday are probably working to a UKIP specification. Suggest you clariify with Stuart Gulleford how much input UKIP have, as per Petrina's statement above.

Roger Gough · 13-08-2005, 10:18 AM

Matt, completely agree with your freedom plea, but my point refererred (unclearly) to those sites run by branches and their members. I think our 'brand' talks at Lechlade touched on this. 2nd.
: Thank you sponplague - exactly the type of response that was needed, I appreciate it and sure others do too. We're hopefully all rowing the same boat. Long may it continue.

ChrisB · 13-08-2005, 11:31 AM

What UKIP really need is a fully integrated and automated site. Once they have a good design etc, they could have an automated system for each branch's site. For example, "doncasternorth.ukip.org". That would give the branch, for free, everything already set up for them - an empty template, they just need to fill in things that are relevant to their local branch.

With a bit of CGI, this is simple to set up. Heck, I'd do it for them for free.

And best of all, simple to operate and maintain - maybe a blog-like system where the branch can update with news, etc. The design and other elements automatically update as the main UKIP site updates. For example, there could be a section with "national UKIP news" which automatically updates with the main UKIP feed. The branch is given pre-prepared areas where they can simply enter the details from local elections, councillor information, local policies, etc etc.

Alex McKee · 13-08-2005, 04:56 PM

Ladies and Gentlemen: I have developed a template for UKIP websites, which, providing you contact me and not steal my existing sites code, can be provided to you free of charge, with attribution.

Or, I can set up a fully powered website for just £55.

See it in action http://www.ukipgloucestershire.org.uk/ and contact me, alex@agmckee.co.uk for more info.

(mods, if this falls under advertising, please note that I'm doing this out of the kindness of my heart as I can't make any money off that offer. Delete it if you must)

John-C · 18-08-2005, 05:42 PM

M F-M, in opening this thread, said "especially when Richmond is in London".

Richmond is NOT in London, it is in Surrey. It is NEAR London, but not in it. The falsely created Borough of Richmond Upon Thamnes, as opposed to Richmond, Surrey, itself, covers areas of Surrey, Middlesex, and the London postcode area.

See the discussion under the topic "Policy Issues", in the threads "Re-instate Middlesex County Council" and "Traditional British Counties".

Thanks,

John.

Bellatrix · 18-08-2005, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluemerle

The official UKIP site needs a makeover. I am not impressed with Manic Monday.

Wee chat about it at conference?

arden forester · 19-08-2005, 06:08 PM

Alex, your site is great! Couldn't you help your mates out in Eastleigh? They're still mentioning Referendum Party defectors, Foot and Mouth disease, etc, let alone thinking Jeffrey Titford is leader! Must be six years out of date! Were they the only ones to suffer from the millenium bug! :wink:

View Poll Results: Should UKIP head office?
monitor branch websites more regularly	13	81.25%
allow branch websites to create their own views	3	18.75%
Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

12-08-2005, 09:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
SponPlague Uber Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Zurich Posts: 3,157	I asked Petrina Holdsworth to clarify policy, a while back, before launching my candidate/ branch service for the election. www.ukip-reigateepsommolevalley.org being an example. [Idea was that non-technically savvy branches/ candidates should still be able to have access to a simple website...] The following was posted to the party website shortly afterwards, is still there (albeit not so visible - search on manic), and I quote: By Petrina Holdsworth – Party Chairman There has been a great deal of discussion in regard to the Party’s policy on branch websites. I would like to make our policy clear to everyone. It has been our intention to introduce a generic look for the national website, the individual MEP sites, the regional sites and the sites created for the branches and constituency associations. The idea is to create a co-ordinated websites programme that gives the Party a professional internet profile. It is clear that the other parties have a similarly organised approach. What we want to avoid is dozens of new UKIP websites coming on line that all look completely different and of hugely variable quality. To that end we asked Manic Monday Limited, the designers of the national and MEP websites to create a generic website for branches and associations. This is available and ready to go for anyone wishing to create a UKIP web presence. The cost is £170.00 plus VAT (£199.75). For that one-off charge, Manic Monday will provide you with a working website and train one person from your branch/association in how to update it. They will also provide an e-mail query service, so that you can write to them for advice with any problems that may crop up. However, the Party does recognise that some branches and constituency associations have limited funds. The suggestion we would make is that you approach other branches and/or constituency associations in your area and club together to meet the cost. You could then create a single website which represents all of those who chip in towards the cost. Obviously, you would need to agree a suitable name for the site e.g. if it were branches in Lincolnshire, it could be called www.ukiplincs.co.uk Obviously, we would prefer branches/associations to work with Manic Monday Limited but if you do approach other companies or individuals, please liase with UKIP’s Website Co-ordinator, Stuart Gulleford at stuartgulleford@ukip.org He will want to examine any site that is created for your branch to ensure that the UKIP logo and colours are used in the correct way. Please also ensure that your website is regularly updated. Be aware that some enthusiastic amateurs offering you low cost websites are often not able to provide you with the post launch support you need to help you to keep your site up to date. With the Manic Monday Limited solution, a branch representative is trained to take on this vital work, so control is in your own hands. I hope this clears up any misunderstandings about our website policy and that you will agree that this is a sensible way to prepare our websites programme for the next election. Petrina Holdsworth Chairman – UK Independence Party ======= As part of preparation for the above, [out of work, time to spare...] I trawled the 'net for rogue UKIP sites, and contacted the branch offering an update service. The most notorious is UKIP Eastliegh - ops: http://www.ukip.20m.com/index1.htm ops: which features a picture of "MEP and UKIP Leader Jeffrey Titford" on its banner! :? Last thing I heard, the branch authorised a revamp, then nowt. I wouldn't mind losing the business [I'm back in work], so long as someone updated the damn thing :!: :evil: :!: Oh well... :roll:

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

12-08-2005, 09:18 PM	#12 (permalink)
Oliver Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: WHITBY North Yorkshire (but my heart is in Woking) Posts: 1,062	Gimlet is spot on. the easiest way to regulate, would be to use templates (free) and get the branch/assoc to sign up to regulation and agreed terms to use the free templates

12-08-2005, 09:50 PM	#13 (permalink)
Bluemerle Uber Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dorset. Posts: 3,252	The official UKIP site needs a makeover. I am not impressed with Manic Monday.

13-08-2005, 09:04 AM	#14 (permalink)
SponPlague Uber Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Zurich Posts: 3,157	ManicMonday are probably working to a UKIP specification. Suggest you clariify with Stuart Gulleford how much input UKIP have, as per Petrina's statement above.

13-08-2005, 10:18 AM	#15 (permalink)
Roger Gough Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hotel California Posts: 708	Matt, completely agree with your freedom plea, but my point refererred (unclearly) to those sites run by branches and their members. I think our 'brand' talks at Lechlade touched on this. 2nd. : Thank you sponplague - exactly the type of response that was needed, I appreciate it and sure others do too. We're hopefully all rowing the same boat. Long may it continue.

13-08-2005, 11:31 AM	#16 (permalink)
ChrisB Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 130	What UKIP really need is a fully integrated and automated site. Once they have a good design etc, they could have an automated system for each branch's site. For example, "doncasternorth.ukip.org". That would give the branch, for free, everything already set up for them - an empty template, they just need to fill in things that are relevant to their local branch. With a bit of CGI, this is simple to set up. Heck, I'd do it for them for free. And best of all, simple to operate and maintain - maybe a blog-like system where the branch can update with news, etc. The design and other elements automatically update as the main UKIP site updates. For example, there could be a section with "national UKIP news" which automatically updates with the main UKIP feed. The branch is given pre-prepared areas where they can simply enter the details from local elections, councillor information, local policies, etc etc.

13-08-2005, 04:56 PM	#17 (permalink)
Alex McKee Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gloucester Posts: 6,666	Ladies and Gentlemen: I have developed a template for UKIP websites, which, providing you contact me and not steal my existing sites code, can be provided to you free of charge, with attribution. Or, I can set up a fully powered website for just £55. See it in action http://www.ukipgloucestershire.org.uk/ and contact me, alex@agmckee.co.uk for more info. (mods, if this falls under advertising, please note that I'm doing this out of the kindness of my heart as I can't make any money off that offer. Delete it if you must)

18-08-2005, 05:42 PM	#18 (permalink)
John-C Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Wales. Posts: 113	M F-M, in opening this thread, said "especially when Richmond is in London". Richmond is NOT in London, it is in Surrey. It is NEAR London, but not in it. The falsely created Borough of Richmond Upon Thamnes, as opposed to Richmond, Surrey, itself, covers areas of Surrey, Middlesex, and the London postcode area. See the discussion under the topic "Policy Issues", in the threads "Re-instate Middlesex County Council" and "Traditional British Counties". Thanks, John.

19-08-2005, 06:08 PM	#20 (permalink)
arden forester Uber Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Solihull, in The Forest of Arden, Warwickshire! Posts: 2,692 Party: None	Alex, your site is great! Couldn't you help your mates out in Eastleigh? They're still mentioning Referendum Party defectors, Foot and Mouth disease, etc, let alone thinking Jeffrey Titford is leader! Must be six years out of date! Were they the only ones to suffer from the millenium bug! :wink: