Cambridge Times 19th May 2006

tamashi · 19-05-2006, 10:20 PM

This was published in today's Cambs Times.

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BUSINESSMAN Ray Wicks finally got his chance this week to present a petition signed by 500 people to Fenland Council urging retention of Wisbech Tourist Information Centre.

His petition was one of three similar petitions presented to the council's annual meeting.

He said the names on the petition had been collected solely from customers at his shop and he felt it "was the easiest and quickest way to do something".

He said proposals to axe the centre "came out of the blue" and he wanted the council to know the opposition to the closure was totally non-political.

And he found it amazing the closure was even being considered, since the council had only recently spent £12,000 on a re-fit.

The threat of immediate closure has now been lifted while the council undertakes a longer review. But Mr Wicks said it was important the council realised the amalgamation of the centre into the one-stop shop was not a realistic option.

Another petition with 800 signatures was handed in by Madeleine Forster, on behalf of UKIP's Fenland branch.

Chief executive Tim Pilsbury said a third petition, with 60 signatures, has also been handed in claiming the proposals jeopardised the tourism strategy for the whole of Fenland.

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500 signatures and he gets several quotes. 60 signatures gets a comment from the Chief Executive. Oh and by the way, just in passing, 800 signtures by UKIP. Well at least they mentioned us! Hardly fair and balanced though was it

Martin Harvey · 20-05-2006, 12:16 AM

Do not worry,
UKIP is very strong in Fenland, The two candidates there, Len Baynes and Robert Brown both polled well over 5% at the 2005 general election. I am sure that the local UKIP branch have it under control, Nevertheless, point taken, local press are definitely biased against UKIP, but we now have such a strong following in some areas, that we should be able to manage without them to the extent that they will soon be rushing to share our success.
regards Martin Harvey.

BASILDON BOY · 21-05-2006, 10:37 AM

Use the regional newspapers.

1) When compiling signatures for a petition - issue 1 Press Release telling people that UKIP are starting to collect signatures and where you will be (ie stall in High Street)

2) Issue a 2nd Press Release of a group of UKIP activists holding up pages of completed petition forms and say how many hundreds of signatures you have collected already and what an important local issue it is.

3) Write letters to local newspapers saying a big thank you to everyone who had signed the petition and comment on progress of campaign so far.

4) 3rd Press Release should be of UKIP activists handing the petition in.

5) Another letter to local newspapers stating petition handed in and how many signatures collected in total.

6) Everybody who signed the petition should get a letter from the local UKIP branch thanking them for signing the petition and keeping them updated on the campaign - the letter should also include a branch newsletter and/or UKIP recruitment leaflet.

7) If you plan to stand in a particular ward in 2007 then you should get a team of UKIP members together and knock on all the doors in the ward collecting signatures - this will raise the profile of UKIP in this area.

8 ) If the local council refuse to back down on theior decision to close something down or cut services (and this was the purpose of the petition) Then Labour/LibDems or Tories (whoever is running council) have kicked local residents in the teeth - its worth Press Release number 4 and a deluge of letters from UKIP and angry residents in the local press.

Result - UKIP's profile locally will be raised considerably - and if you can get your local UKIP MEP to help campaign or write letter/issue press release then even more publicity!

Guaranteed not to have your contribution sidelined to a single line!

19-05-2006, 10:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
tamashi Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 523	Cambridge Times 19th May 2006 This was published in today's Cambs Times. *********************************************** BUSINESSMAN Ray Wicks finally got his chance this week to present a petition signed by 500 people to Fenland Council urging retention of Wisbech Tourist Information Centre. His petition was one of three similar petitions presented to the council's annual meeting. He said the names on the petition had been collected solely from customers at his shop and he felt it "was the easiest and quickest way to do something". He said proposals to axe the centre "came out of the blue" and he wanted the council to know the opposition to the closure was totally non-political. And he found it amazing the closure was even being considered, since the council had only recently spent £12,000 on a re-fit. The threat of immediate closure has now been lifted while the council undertakes a longer review. But Mr Wicks said it was important the council realised the amalgamation of the centre into the one-stop shop was not a realistic option. Another petition with 800 signatures was handed in by Madeleine Forster, on behalf of UKIP's Fenland branch. Chief executive Tim Pilsbury said a third petition, with 60 signatures, has also been handed in claiming the proposals jeopardised the tourism strategy for the whole of Fenland. ********************************************** ******* 500 signatures and he gets several quotes. 60 signatures gets a comment from the Chief Executive. Oh and by the way, just in passing, 800 signtures by UKIP. Well at least they mentioned us! Hardly fair and balanced though was it

20-05-2006, 12:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
Martin Harvey Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West Essex Posts: 167	Cambridge Times 20th May 2006 Do not worry, UKIP is very strong in Fenland, The two candidates there, Len Baynes and Robert Brown both polled well over 5% at the 2005 general election. I am sure that the local UKIP branch have it under control, Nevertheless, point taken, local press are definitely biased against UKIP, but we now have such a strong following in some areas, that we should be able to manage without them to the extent that they will soon be rushing to share our success. regards Martin Harvey.

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21-05-2006, 10:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
BASILDON BOY Uber Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: N'Djamena, Chad Posts: 2,060	Use the regional newspapers. 1) When compiling signatures for a petition - issue 1 Press Release telling people that UKIP are starting to collect signatures and where you will be (ie stall in High Street) 2) Issue a 2nd Press Release of a group of UKIP activists holding up pages of completed petition forms and say how many hundreds of signatures you have collected already and what an important local issue it is. 3) Write letters to local newspapers saying a big thank you to everyone who had signed the petition and comment on progress of campaign so far. 4) 3rd Press Release should be of UKIP activists handing the petition in. 5) Another letter to local newspapers stating petition handed in and how many signatures collected in total. 6) Everybody who signed the petition should get a letter from the local UKIP branch thanking them for signing the petition and keeping them updated on the campaign - the letter should also include a branch newsletter and/or UKIP recruitment leaflet. 7) If you plan to stand in a particular ward in 2007 then you should get a team of UKIP members together and knock on all the doors in the ward collecting signatures - this will raise the profile of UKIP in this area. 8 ) If the local council refuse to back down on theior decision to close something down or cut services (and this was the purpose of the petition) Then Labour/LibDems or Tories (whoever is running council) have kicked local residents in the teeth - its worth Press Release number 4 and a deluge of letters from UKIP and angry residents in the local press. Result - UKIP's profile locally will be raised considerably - and if you can get your local UKIP MEP to help campaign or write letter/issue press release then even more publicity! Guaranteed not to have your contribution sidelined to a single line!