New UKIP Leader ‘Takes up the Challenge’

Anthony Butcher · 07-10-2006, 12:36 PM

http://www.ukip.org/ukip_news/gen12.php?t=1&id=2651

Quote:

In a no-nonsense first speech as Party Leader entitled: 'Taking up the Challenge', Nigel Farage MEP has outlined his vision for the future of UKIP, to the Party faithful in Telford.

He called for much more concentration on local and national elections. ‘I want to see less internal meetings and more action on the streets, where it counts’.

He remarked how extraordinary it was that neither Gordon Brown nor David Cameron had mentioned the European Union in their conference speeches, when 70 per cent of our laws are now made in Brussels.

He said: “The traditional parties don’t want the British people to know that they are governed by Brussels. The majority of the British people are with us on the EU issue but we have to transform that into votes at local and General Elections. To do this we have to make it clear, not just what UKIP is against but what UKIP is for”.

He promised a blueprint of how an independent Britain would be governed.

New policy areas he touched upon were:

- A commitment to campaign on a tax cutting agenda including raising the threshold of taxation to £9,000, taking 4.5 million of the poorest people in Britain out of taxation altogether.

- UKIP will support selective education

- Tough on crime – unlike the Labour and the Conservatives, UKIP would be tough on crime in reality rather than just in sound-bites for the media. Mr Farage said: “Persistent re-offenders should serve longer prison terms and if that means building more prisons, then so be it”.

Mr Farage said that he had been asked in several media interviews if UKIP was the new Conservative Party. He said he preferred the Party to be thought of as the Common Sense Party, with a wider appeal.

Concluding his speech, Mr Farage pledged to dedicate himself to the task of leading the Party to greater success for the benefit of the country as a whole. “I will fight and fight to create a Party that speaks up for the people of Britain, the people who are currently ignored and for the people who are desperate about the state of their country. I will fight for a Party of honesty, of openness and of integrity”.

Petrina · 07-10-2006, 02:32 PM

Well I think all of us would agree that a party of honesty, openess and integrity would be wonderful.

I trust that in that spirit we will see open and transparent funding from the MEPs ,a desire to have a genuine dialogue with the party members on important issues ,etc etc .and then we can all put our backs into taking on the EU and not eachother.

Good to see NF drawing away from UKIP being portrayed as a new Tory Party -someone must have talked some common sense into him .
Lithgow is an excellent choice as head of Media,maybe he had a word.

Simon Muir · 07-10-2006, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petrina

Well I think all of us would agree that a party of honesty, openess and integrity would be wonderful.

Such a shame that the example won't be set from the top though.

Quote:

I trust that in that spirit we will see open and transparent funding from the MEPs ,a desire to have a genuine dialogue with the party members on important issues ,etc etc .and then we can all put our backs into taking on the EU and not each other.

You're not holding your breath are you? ... Petrina, you're turning blue!

Quote:

Good to see NF drawing away from UKIP being portrayed as a new Tory Party -someone must have talked some common sense into him. Lithgow is an excellent choice as head of Media, maybe he had a word.

One swallow (or speech) doesn't make a summer. Right now this is merely set dressing and warm words from Farage. He's got nobody doing serious policy work, and DCB is woefully ill-informed, even on his pet subjects (such as energy).

Time will tell, but unless they're prepared to clean up their act they'll be banging their shoulders on the ceiling - you can't sweep much more under the carpet!

Lewkip · 07-10-2006, 06:13 PM

I note that Nigel today said he wants to host an official UKIP internet forum where online debate can take place without negativity. Hardly surprising considering how much he has been flamed here.

But there certainly is a place for UKIP to do this and I trust posters would be restricted to registered party members.

Having said that, there still would be scope for this forum to continue but there is a pressing need for the party to have an active online forum as well in an official capacity. It's long overdue.

mkpdavies · 07-10-2006, 06:16 PM

The day I see an intenet forum (or any other forum for that matter), that doesn't have some negativity, is the day I see a staged farce of a forum.

IE just like the old parties.

Forums are for thrashing things out. The movers and shakers in UKIP should pick out the good bits, take on board constructive critism and ignore out and out sniping.

Lewkip · 07-10-2006, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkpdavies

The day I see an intenet forum (or any other forum for that matter), that doesn't have some negativity, is the day I see a staged farce of a forum.

IE just like the old parties.

Forums are for thrashing things out. The movers and shakers in UKIP should pick out the good bits, take on board constructive critism and ignore out and out sniping.

I can see why you say that but there certainly is a place for party debate online with participants encouraged to stay on message even if it is challenged. I would liken it to a robust branch meeting with a good chairman in control of active, and indeed, heated proceedings.

I am afraid that in my experience, this forum has not met that standard. There have been some very good postings but it has been spoiled by a rabid, at times hysterical, dislike of all things Nigel, infiltration from the BNP and, tellingly, its leadership vote failed to mirror the breakdown of people who voted last month. That was perhaps the biggest knock against its credibility: It does not reflect the total UKIP reality.

There will always be a place for a forum like this. But people like me need something more secure and structured, and yes, official, as well.

mkpdavies · 07-10-2006, 06:30 PM

Ind-UK has always been there, but it isn't the right format.

It won't hurt to have a members forum. It won't be as busy and you won't have to defend your ideas against hostile opposition, but it will have it's uses.

Simon Muir · 07-10-2006, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkpdavies

Ind-UK has always been there, but it isn't the right format.

It was the only format available when it was started six or so years ago. Nigel was one of those who has consistently tried to shut it down too.

Anyway, it's just like a newsgroup (and that format is robust efficient and useful).

I suppose I should be grateful really for this forum.

Having left the party, ind-uk is no longer available to me

Lewkip · 07-10-2006, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Muir

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkpdavies

Ind-UK has always been there, but it isn't the right format.

It was the only format available when it was started six or so years ago. Nigel was one of those who has consistently tried to shut it down too.

Anyway, it's just like a newsgroup (and that format is robust efficient and useful).

I suppose I should be grateful really for this forum.

Having left the party, ind-uk is no longer available to me

But speaking as one who has not left the party and aims to achieve more within UKIP, there certainly is a need for something akin to this forum that is sanctioned by the party. And don't forget that real success will not happen online - it will happen on the streets.

cookie65 · 07-10-2006, 06:44 PM

I agree with Lewkip 100% on this. I use this forum because it is friendly,
accessable and real grass roots stuff.
However I wince when I see some of the comments posted. We should all think for a minute before we press send. but we should bear in mind as well that even a members only forum is still not secure. Liblabcon can still join the party and gain access to our forum.
BTW whilst leaving the conference we were handed envelopes by suited gents who we assumed were libs. They were BNP !

07-10-2006, 06:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,604	The day I see an intenet forum (or any other forum for that matter), that doesn't have some negativity, is the day I see a staged farce of a forum. IE just like the old parties. Forums are for thrashing things out. The movers and shakers in UKIP should pick out the good bits, take on board constructive critism and ignore out and out sniping. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

07-10-2006, 06:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,604	Ind-UK has always been there, but it isn't the right format. It won't hurt to have a members forum. It won't be as busy and you won't have to defend your ideas against hostile opposition, but it will have it's uses. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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

07-10-2006, 02:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Petrina Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: sussex Posts: 954	Well I think all of us would agree that a party of honesty, openess and integrity would be wonderful. I trust that in that spirit we will see open and transparent funding from the MEPs ,a desire to have a genuine dialogue with the party members on important issues ,etc etc .and then we can all put our backs into taking on the EU and not eachother. Good to see NF drawing away from UKIP being portrayed as a new Tory Party -someone must have talked some common sense into him . Lithgow is an excellent choice as head of Media,maybe he had a word.

07-10-2006, 06:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lewkip Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Lewisham Posts: 214	I note that Nigel today said he wants to host an official UKIP internet forum where online debate can take place without negativity. Hardly surprising considering how much he has been flamed here. But there certainly is a place for UKIP to do this and I trust posters would be restricted to registered party members. Having said that, there still would be scope for this forum to continue but there is a pressing need for the party to have an active online forum as well in an official capacity. It's long overdue.

07-10-2006, 06:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
cookie65 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: hyde cheshire Posts: 639	I agree with Lewkip 100% on this. I use this forum because it is friendly, accessable and real grass roots stuff. However I wince when I see some of the comments posted. We should all think for a minute before we press send. but we should bear in mind as well that even a members only forum is still not secure. Liblabcon can still join the party and gain access to our forum. BTW whilst leaving the conference we were handed envelopes by suited gents who we assumed were libs. They were BNP !