Peerage After the Leadership Election

prober · 30-08-2006, 09:52 AM

When Knapman took over as leader , our local branch put a motion to the Leadership for a lobbying campaign to get Titford a peerage . Nothing was heard back & presumably it was binned in derision.

The unanswered question is why Knapman has hung on to a full term well past his sell by date ... thus stalling UKIP. The answer could be that he then becomes eligible in precedent & UK convention for bone fida consideration for a peerage ...... even Kinnock was given that. " Presumably" the inner cabal" of UKIP has got a lobbying campaign for the New Years Honours all sorted on the quiet ... after all Knapman knows the procedure..... er but on past record have they ?

This is the only way UKIP is going to get representation in parliament for the forseeable future and hence should be an immediate and high priority for the new leader whoever wins the leadership election. Knapman would slip easily into the gentlemen's club wayof doing things in the House of Lords on behalf of the UKIP agenda. It has nothing to do with Knapman's success or otherwise as party leader merely the fact that he was leader for a full term at a time when UKIP achieved major representation in the EU parliament alongside main parties who have umpteen peerages.

Surely no leading figure in UKIP would want to prevent the above out of jelousy or "pull up the ladder" or to be sole custodian of the public image of UKIP... would they ?

Can anyone confirm that UKIP has its act together on this ?

Tom Wilde · 30-08-2006, 11:18 AM

It's a good idea, but I believe that Tony Bliar would only be willing to approve a proposal for a UKIP peer immediately after hell freezes over or the moon turns blue, whichever happens later. Presumably the UKIP leadership shares that assessment and that's why you never heard back to your suggestion.

Still, that doesn't mean it shouldn't be tried. If Titford (say) was put forward for a peerage, Blair would bin the proposal but we might possibly get some "Why No Peerage for UKIP?" media coverage out of it highlighting the unfairness of the PM's patronage in this area.

SponPlague · 30-08-2006, 11:33 AM

Statistically, a pregnant woman on the tube has more chance of getting a seat? :twisted:
Great idea, though!

Aardvark · 30-08-2006, 11:59 AM

I raised the issue of peerages at the Lechlade group and talked to GK about it. I don't know if it was followed up, but there is precedent for 'minor' parties to have peerages - Lord Fitt was a classic case for the SDLP.

Knapman is an ex-MP and also a 2 time MEP and retiring party leader. He is 'ideal' although a bit old to be the most effective working peer.

Personally I think we need a couple of good working peers - myself obviously - and not people who are in Europe. You can't be in 2 houses at once. The good jobs should be spread around so that the party can make maximum use of resources.

If we had 2 working peers then we get access to the libraries and research facilities that the other peers have. We would get access to cross benchers and Eurosceptic old socialists and 'traditional' Tories who might be persuaded to vote for amendments that could have an effect of slowing the EU processes or knocking the shine off the gilt edged Euro regs.

This is a major issue that the party doesn't seem to be interested in. Perhaps NF is waiting for his political demise after the next EU elections and fancies a peerage for himself. :roll:

SponPlague · 30-08-2006, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aardvark

I think we need a couple of good working peers - myself obviously - and not people who are in Europe.

And I was so looking forward to it

Biscuitman · 30-08-2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

after hell freezes over or the moon turns blue

Tony Blair believes he can achieve both these feats.

mkpdavies · 30-08-2006, 03:01 PM

Don't forget he has a load of years as a Tory MP under his belt too.

I would guess he has a better chance than many.

SponPlague · 30-08-2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biscuitman

Quote:

after hell freezes over or the moon turns blue

Tony Blair believes he can achieve both these feats.

You get a blue moon, I believe, once every 6 years or so, so technically he has? :P

Richard Allen · 30-08-2006, 06:00 PM

It is certainly something that should be explored whoever the new leader is. Even those of us who regard Knapman as useless can see the benefits to UKIP.

Independent UKIP · 30-08-2006, 06:11 PM

The DUP have 9 MPs & are the biggest party in Northern Ireland. So long as Blair continues to refuse to let them have a peer then I don't think there is any hope of UKIP having a peer.

30-08-2006, 09:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
prober Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 854	Peerage After the Leadership Election When Knapman took over as leader , our local branch put a motion to the Leadership for a lobbying campaign to get Titford a peerage . Nothing was heard back & presumably it was binned in derision. The unanswered question is why Knapman has hung on to a full term well past his sell by date ... thus stalling UKIP. The answer could be that he then becomes eligible in precedent & UK convention for bone fida consideration for a peerage ...... even Kinnock was given that. " Presumably" the inner cabal" of UKIP has got a lobbying campaign for the New Years Honours all sorted on the quiet ... after all Knapman knows the procedure..... er but on past record have they ? This is the only way UKIP is going to get representation in parliament for the forseeable future and hence should be an immediate and high priority for the new leader whoever wins the leadership election. Knapman would slip easily into the gentlemen's club wayof doing things in the House of Lords on behalf of the UKIP agenda. It has nothing to do with Knapman's success or otherwise as party leader merely the fact that he was leader for a full term at a time when UKIP achieved major representation in the EU parliament alongside main parties who have umpteen peerages. Surely no leading figure in UKIP would want to prevent the above out of jelousy or "pull up the ladder" or to be sole custodian of the public image of UKIP... would they ? Can anyone confirm that UKIP has its act together on this ?

30-08-2006, 11:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tom Wilde Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: London. Posts: 2,911	Re: Peerage After the Leadership Election It's a good idea, but I believe that Tony Bliar would only be willing to approve a proposal for a UKIP peer immediately after hell freezes over or the moon turns blue, whichever happens later. Presumably the UKIP leadership shares that assessment and that's why you never heard back to your suggestion. Still, that doesn't mean it shouldn't be tried. If Titford (say) was put forward for a peerage, Blair would bin the proposal but we might possibly get some "Why No Peerage for UKIP?" media coverage out of it highlighting the unfairness of the PM's patronage in this area.

30-08-2006, 03:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 31,053 Party: Libertarian Party	Don't forget he has a load of years as a Tory MP under his belt too. I would guess he has a better chance than many. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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30-08-2006, 11:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
SponPlague Uber Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Zurich Posts: 3,123	Statistically, a pregnant woman on the tube has more chance of getting a seat? :twisted: Great idea, though!

30-08-2006, 11:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
Aardvark Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oxonia Posts: 3,973	I raised the issue of peerages at the Lechlade group and talked to GK about it. I don't know if it was followed up, but there is precedent for 'minor' parties to have peerages - Lord Fitt was a classic case for the SDLP. Knapman is an ex-MP and also a 2 time MEP and retiring party leader. He is 'ideal' although a bit old to be the most effective working peer. Personally I think we need a couple of good working peers - myself obviously - and not people who are in Europe. You can't be in 2 houses at once. The good jobs should be spread around so that the party can make maximum use of resources. If we had 2 working peers then we get access to the libraries and research facilities that the other peers have. We would get access to cross benchers and Eurosceptic old socialists and 'traditional' Tories who might be persuaded to vote for amendments that could have an effect of slowing the EU processes or knocking the shine off the gilt edged Euro regs. This is a major issue that the party doesn't seem to be interested in. Perhaps NF is waiting for his political demise after the next EU elections and fancies a peerage for himself. :roll:

30-08-2006, 06:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
Richard Allen Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 571	It is certainly something that should be explored whoever the new leader is. Even those of us who regard Knapman as useless can see the benefits to UKIP.

30-08-2006, 06:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
Independent UKIP Uber Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Posts: 2,421	The DUP have 9 MPs & are the biggest party in Northern Ireland. So long as Blair continues to refuse to let them have a peer then I don't think there is any hope of UKIP having a peer.