eublues

I was willing to go along with Nigel's view on this because it might generate useful controversy in the media etc. (though on reflection I'm not sure how his policy would be implemented), but I now feel that letting in pro-EU lib dems would on balance advance our cause over letting these "eurosceptic" tories get back in (that would generate publicity too).

If Tories want out of the EU they need to get their party to change its policy or leave their party. We shouldn't allow them to maintain a fudge on this.

douglas denny

I was there.

Delroy is a good egg. Passionate and voluble - he wants the party to be 100% true. It shows in what he says and how he says it.

I think he does not accept though that there are shades of grey (!) to consider with decison making of a high order which can mean compromise is sometimes necessary - like sacrificing your best piece - the Queen - in chess to your own advantage if it ultimately wins you the game. He does not want to compromise his principles which are cast iron for getting Britain out of the clutches of the EU, and does not want what he sees as any truck with any other party whatever. No compromise.

The BOO decision troubles him I think.

It did me as far back as 1997 with Referendum Party and Jimmy Goldsmith's offer not to put candidates against any who would stand up and say publicly they were against Britain being in the EEC. Nick Gibb (Cons. Bognor) is such an example: no one stood against him; he got in; and what have we heard from him since 1997 about getting out of the EU? - zilch - nowt - nuffing and zero. He sits there on his fat bum with his fat salary coming in and I havn't heard a peep out of him. He might as well be dead and buried as a corpse would say more.

My opinion was for a long time that any party should not have any consideration for other candidates in other parties (especially if they were for staying in the EU).
This is broadly still my opinion except for this:-

If they are very few (a handful) and if it is to your advantage that you do not attack them, then it is clearly in your own interests to leave them alone and target the others who are much more potent.

Put it this way;

Imagine you are Andy Mac Nabb with a weapon in your hand; in enemy territory, and suddenly you are faced with some of the enemy who will kill you (two or three say - lets make it realisticly possible for you to get out OK if you are quick and accurate with your weapon).

All of them are pointing guns at you - except one who is holding out an olive branch instead - who are you going to shoot first ?

Remember: my enemy's enemy is my friend.

Douglas Denny.
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B.A.Ware

Says it all for me.

douglas denny

I agree that is the disadvantage if you trust a bum and a nobody like Gibb. You get screwed.
However - the few we are talking about are not like that pond-life - they are well known voices in the public consciousness who are against the EU and who have at least some power within their own grubby organisations. To have them help (in whatever small way) collapse the pro-EU support from within their own parties is surely an advantage in the long run.

You did not consider my allegory. To make it more close to the situation:
You have four of the enemy in front of you and only three bullets. One of the enemy is holding an olive branch - NOW which of the enemy do you shoot?


DED.
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Martin Harvey

Allowing BOO candidates a clear run will only maintain the present situation which is ratcheting towards total EU integration. If these BOO characters are really concerned for their Country, and we stand everywhere with the possibility that the odd Europhile candidate gets elected, then the best course of action for BOO people will be to join UKIP bringing some of their supporters with them knowing that they will of course also have the full support of UKIP in campaigning as a UKIP candidate.
Additionally this course of action will mean that the Conservative Party will have to come up with something really good for us to stand aside for a BOO candidate, in order that the UKIP members in the affected Constituency would be content. I can see that this might only be possible in no more than one Constituency in most Regions, and the members and activists there would need to be happy to campaign for the neighbouring Constituency.
Martin Harvey.

Niall Warry

It's what I've been saying for years.
Glad we are starting to see the sense of NOT standing against our friends who are BOO members.

jp

One could reverse this argument & explore what advantages would accrue where UKIP does stand against candidates who will not sign up to BOO

michael mcgough

The advantage is that there will continue to be MPs in the House of Commons speaking of exit from the EU.

I am usually at odds with NIAILL but he is as sound as the British Army on this one.Clearly an officer and gentleman.

B.A.Ware

The analogy is wrong the person holding the olive branch takes orders from the person holding the gun.

douglas denny

No it isn't - you can kill him later after you shot the other three.

DED.