C_steam

Early reports from these hustings state that the day was clearly won by Richard Suchorzewski. That aside, probably the major item of note was Nigel leaving the building, head down, shoulders slumped, as soon as the hustings were officially over, leaving the other three candidates inside the buildng talking to supporters and answering questions from those as yet undecided.

Nigel's lonely exit reflected the tough time meted out to him from the south west activists - at this hustings he was unable to rely on planted questions from his inner circle or, indeed, heckling from used car salesmen in the back. No, at this hustings Nigel had to work for himself, and found it difficult to state a strong case when dealing with what could be, perhaps, termed 'awkward' questions.

Richard dealt with the questions with the correct degree of strength and compassion.

Noakes repeatedly highlighted Farages and the current leaderships failings, strongly backed by the audience. Nigel struggled with questions from this angle, being unable to give convincing answers or even to make a viable case.

DCB gave a lacklustre performance - a performance described as one from someone who knows he has been beaten and is now in it just to make up the numbers and to continue his deal to support Nigel by trying to take votes from those seeking to modernise the party - trouble is David, you've been seen through!

One more thing - Knapman was not present. Clearly the future leadership is of no more importance to him than the current leadership!

More later.

kernow

Just back from the hustings at Exeter, Richard was without a doubt the "Clapometer" King! Apparently Exeter provided the biggest attendence for a hustings so far.

Colin McNamee

Agree with that.

C-stream
I disagree with that last assessment. David Noaks attack on Nigel met with several calls from the floor for 'out of order' - not given - but not everyone attending was in agreement with David N., at least insofar as his style if not the accuracy of his remarks.

C_steam summary also rather harsh on DCB who presented well, with good points nicely made.

Pity no-one could get a question in ( me! ) regarding their choice of Chairman, that would have blown DCB away having chosen Delroy Young ! and any Deputy Leader they might be considering.

Pleased to hear Richard mention Petrina as his Deputy if he were to be selected. Good choice. Also interesting to note Nigel's quick rubbishing of her selection.

Richard & Petrina a great combination, imo, and hopefully Richard will make more of this, and possibly his choice of Chairman, in the remaining weeks.

C_steam

Good point - what would you have asked?

Regarding DCB - I'm harsh regarding his presentation style - becuase he sets himself up to be in the top league of such performers:-
IMHO, his performance falls far short of the mark HE HAS SET HIMSELF.

Percy the Poodle

Richard definitely won the day. He recieved up to 30 standing ovations for his speech and virtually all his responses were greeted warmly.

David Noakes' attack was greeted with equal applause and barracking both from small minorities of the audience.

Nigel was not happy throughout the entire meeting looking grumpy and leaving the stage while Richard was proposing a vote of thanks in Chairman Malcolm Wood.

Richard has majority activist support in the south west.

DCB was weak and could even fall behind Noakes in the Westcountry.

michael mcgough

" up to 30 standing ovations "


Richard has majority activist support in the south west.

and there were about 220 present--------hardly overwhelming!

Colin McNamee

Regardless of how he sets himself up to be his actual performance on the day was not, imo, as you described.

As you enquired about my question, thank you, here it is

"Our product is excellent as is our message.

Our strategy for UK Parliamentary and local elections doesn’t work and our delivery of results is rubbish ie GE 2005 and Bromley.

A management change is called for, not a change in the sales force.

A company or a political party is very rarely, despite outward appearances, dependant on one person.

Who would you nominate as Chairman, the final decision being, I understand, that of the NEC and who would you appoint as your Deputy? In particular as regards yourself Nigel as you are reported as saying you would appoint a Deputy to cover your absence in Brussels?

Many do not like the prospect of ‘buying a pig in a poke’ so who in your stead ?"

Percy the Poodle

In London which was Nigel recieved 5 standing ovations from an audience of 100. Even less overwhelming.

Given the numbers at each meeting and having attended both, Richard was the best candidate over the two meetings. DCB says good things but throws away his weapons, through lack of emphasis and passion. This will never appeal to UKIP mmebers en masse. They love a rousing speech like nothing else and DCB cant deliver these like Richard or Nigel.

C_steam

well, that is how it was described to me, and certainly my experience of him at the hustings I attended was exactly the same - not the media star he makes himself out to be. My assessment was comparative to his own description, not meant to be comparative to the average.

Good question, of course for DCB we (as you rightly noted) know his choice is Del. What do you think of that?

Colin McNamee

Not a lot and brings, imo, into question DCB's judgement.

No doubt a trade off against withdrawal? Not even subtle if so.