Is UKIP fit for purpose?

Robin · 03-07-2006, 08:07 PM

Mark C,

I find that pointing out that a service is cut back or a tax is levied or a welfare reduced because money is sent to the EU brings a thoughtful look and agreement from whoever I point this out to.(Unless they are rabid EU fanatics in which case they get very annoyed but cant refute it).
I dont mean make that the sole plank on which to stand,but dont keep it in the background.
This also agitates the people,who see the three main parties stitching them up.
One way for UKIP or any party to increase its % share of the vote is to reduce the votes going to the other parties.

brian lee · 03-07-2006, 11:45 PM

Alex McKee wrote

Quote:

Erm, the latter if you ask a lot of UKIP members. Personally, I'd go for both. Credit the bloody people with some intelligence.

You will find there is not much intelligence about. Otherwise, UKIP would not be having so much trouble in making a break through.

To go for both requires people in UKIP who have the time and inclination. Unfortunately there aren't enough of them.

If winning elections is not what UKIP is about, all the members might just as well join the Democracy Movement or CIB. - It is much easier to talk than to do.

Alex McKee · 03-07-2006, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian lee

You will find there is not much intelligence about.

I tend to agree but, and it's a big but, we must credit people with intelligence. Part of the reason that the general population appear to be becoming less intelligent is because they are spoonfed everything from a media feed. They are discouraged from formulating their own opinion on things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian lee

Otherwise, UKIP would not be having so much trouble in making a break through.

In my opinion, the reason we are having trouble making a break through is that we do not look fit to be a government or even a shadow government. Actually, we aren't fit to be either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian lee

To go for both requires people in UKIP who have the time and inclination. Unfortunately there aren't enough of them.

Again, I disagree. There would be but anyone who tries to professionalise this party is shot down. We will see this again soon with the leadership election, there will be a slur campaign for sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian lee

If winning elections is not what UKIP is about, all the members might just as well join the Democracy Movement or CIB. - It is much easier to talk than to do.

Actually, I'm a doer. I've never liked just talking about things. Boring.
UKIP is about winning elections but we can never win elections as we are. We can do two things - sell out, slick up and become part of the bread and circusses act OR professionalise and start campaigning properly.

B.A.Ware · 04-07-2006, 12:42 AM

I have fought a local election and you will only get so far, at some point you will hit a stone wall. That wall being the "your only a single issue party" or a "Tory protest party".

And don't forget you Will have the Lib/Lab/Con locals to deal with and they have got a head start as they stand for parties and they are not perceived to be single issue parties.
The only way forward for this party is for Ukip to change its national image and only then will we be a viable alternative option.

Biscuitman · 04-07-2006, 09:47 AM

When I was working on the Flat Tax motion for conference last year I went to watch Reading play. At half time I was in the supporters bar surrounded by tattooed women and bejewelled men nearly all of them with a pint in each hand throwing it down their necks as quick as possible.

I was musing on what we could do to motivate them to vote for us - I thought of all the work I and others put into researching and writing policy and came up with ---

--- sod all the fancy stuff - 50p off a pint and use the money we send to Brussels to pay for a £1 million free lottery every Saturday.

job done.

Intbel · 04-07-2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biscuitman

--- sod all the fancy stuff - 50p off a pint and use the money we send to Brussels to pay for a £1 million free lottery every Saturday.
job done.

Mr Murdoch won't like that, nicking all his SUN readers.

brian lee · 04-07-2006, 04:04 PM

Alex McKee wrote

Quote:

brian lee wrote:

To go for both requires people in UKIP who have the time and inclination. Unfortunately there aren't enough of them.

Again, I disagree. There would be but anyone who tries to professionalise this party is shot down. We will see this again soon with the leadership election, there will be a slur campaign for sure.

You may disagree, but the truth has nothing to do with professionalising the Party. There are simply not enough workers and there never been enough in most areas. I do not deny the need for professionalising the party but that is a different issue. It is amazing how much can be achieved by half a dozen dedicated workers, but in many constituencies there aren't even that number. That works out at less than one member per Ward.

That is the reality that gets missed by those who see their role as spending as much time as possible overseas.

Alex McKee · 04-07-2006, 04:31 PM

There are more ex members of UKIP than members. I think you will find this is true nationally.

Also, those who are being slurred as trouble makers (such as the Lechlade Group) are some of the most active members. This is what I meant.

04-07-2006, 09:47 AM	#65 (permalink)
Biscuitman Uber Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 3,486	When I was working on the Flat Tax motion for conference last year I went to watch Reading play. At half time I was in the supporters bar surrounded by tattooed women and bejewelled men nearly all of them with a pint in each hand throwing it down their necks as quick as possible. I was musing on what we could do to motivate them to vote for us - I thought of all the work I and others put into researching and writing policy and came up with --- --- sod all the fancy stuff - 50p off a pint and use the money we send to Brussels to pay for a £1 million free lottery every Saturday. job done. __________________ IF THE EU WAS THE ANSWER, IT MUST HAVE BEEN A STUPID QUESTION!

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03-07-2006, 08:07 PM	#61 (permalink)
Robin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,112	Mark C, I find that pointing out that a service is cut back or a tax is levied or a welfare reduced because money is sent to the EU brings a thoughtful look and agreement from whoever I point this out to.(Unless they are rabid EU fanatics in which case they get very annoyed but cant refute it). I dont mean make that the sole plank on which to stand,but dont keep it in the background. This also agitates the people,who see the three main parties stitching them up. One way for UKIP or any party to increase its % share of the vote is to reduce the votes going to the other parties.

04-07-2006, 12:42 AM	#64 (permalink)
B.A.Ware Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Birmingham Posts: 4,773 Party: UKIP	I have fought a local election and you will only get so far, at some point you will hit a stone wall. That wall being the "your only a single issue party" or a "Tory protest party". And don't forget you Will have the Lib/Lab/Con locals to deal with and they have got a head start as they stand for parties and they are not perceived to be single issue parties. The only way forward for this party is for Ukip to change its national image and only then will we be a viable alternative option.

04-07-2006, 04:31 PM	#68 (permalink)
Alex McKee Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gloucester Posts: 6,666	There are more ex members of UKIP than members. I think you will find this is true nationally. Also, those who are being slurred as trouble makers (such as the Lechlade Group) are some of the most active members. This is what I meant.