'UKIP told that it cannot change its name'

Dan · 24-02-2007, 08:00 PM

I think the Electoral Commission are seeking to 'protect' the independent/independence term. It seems that there is a general view that the public understands that the reference to 'independent' in a candidates description means that they are not connected to any particular political party. Because 'independence' could be easily mistaken for 'independent' (it is said), a political party that calls itself the 'Independence Party' might be mistaken by a voter as being an 'independent' (ie. not politically aligned) candidate when they were clearly not.

To further confuse matters though, I thought that it was being said that, whilst UKIP may campaign under the heading of the 'Independence Party', the description on the ballot paper would remain 'UK Indepedence Party'. I'd taken this to be a tacit acceptance by UKIP that the Electoral Commission would never allow them to register 'Indepence Party' for the reasons stated in the first paragraph. The newspaper story may therefore be confirming nothing more than was always the case, but reported on now to kick UKIP whilst it was down.

Johnny Hates Jazz · 24-02-2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

could mislead a voter about the effect of their vote

Certainly

"Independence Party", would be confusing with "Indepedent"

Maybe a name change to the

"In the Pen Tense" Party ?

Hartlepool · 24-02-2007, 10:05 PM

Or, THE GIBBERISH DUMERPRATS even.

devilskitchen · 24-02-2007, 10:55 PM

I favour "The Devil's Kitchen Party" myself...

Westcountryman · 24-02-2007, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluemerle

I understand that there is an Independent Councillors Organisation. So it would confuse voters if they are presented with
****** Independent, and
****** Independence.

Why? Are they really that stupid?

Alex McKee · 24-02-2007, 11:49 PM

We are talking about the electorate here ... :wink:

Populist Lee · 24-02-2007, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernUKIP

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluemerle

I understand that there is an Independent Councillors Organisation. So it would confuse voters if they are presented with
****** Independent, and
****** Independence.

Why? Are they really that stupid?

No.

But the EC thinks voters might confuse "Populist" with "Republic".
Work that one out.

I have the letter to prove it.

Westcountryman · 24-02-2007, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex McKee

We are talking about the electorate here ... :wink:

I'm sorry Alex, but I have a bit more faith in the Great British public than that... :wink:

Alex McKee · 24-02-2007, 11:58 PM

Yes, so do I. I was being deliberately facetious.

However many politicians, and civil servants, hold the public in nothing short of contempt. I experienced it first hand whilst working for the DWP.

devilskitchen · 25-02-2007, 12:02 AM

It's against the EC rules to call your party The Independence Party: it's explicitly stated, as Tim Worstall pointed out.

24-02-2007, 10:55 PM	#14 (permalink)
devilskitchen Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London Posts: 419	I favour "The Devil's Kitchen Party" myself... __________________ Unio Europaea delenda est

25-02-2007, 12:02 AM	#20 (permalink)
devilskitchen Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London Posts: 419	It's against the EC rules to call your party The Independence Party: it's explicitly stated, as Tim Worstall pointed out. __________________ Unio Europaea delenda est

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24-02-2007, 08:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dan Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 155	I think the Electoral Commission are seeking to 'protect' the independent/independence term. It seems that there is a general view that the public understands that the reference to 'independent' in a candidates description means that they are not connected to any particular political party. Because 'independence' could be easily mistaken for 'independent' (it is said), a political party that calls itself the 'Independence Party' might be mistaken by a voter as being an 'independent' (ie. not politically aligned) candidate when they were clearly not. To further confuse matters though, I thought that it was being said that, whilst UKIP may campaign under the heading of the 'Independence Party', the description on the ballot paper would remain 'UK Indepedence Party'. I'd taken this to be a tacit acceptance by UKIP that the Electoral Commission would never allow them to register 'Indepence Party' for the reasons stated in the first paragraph. The newspaper story may therefore be confirming nothing more than was always the case, but reported on now to kick UKIP whilst it was down.

24-02-2007, 10:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
Hartlepool Uber Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern England Posts: 7,105 Party: Free England Party	Or, THE GIBBERISH DUMERPRATS even.

24-02-2007, 11:49 PM	#16 (permalink)
Alex McKee Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gloucester Posts: 6,666	We are talking about the electorate here ... :wink:

24-02-2007, 11:58 PM	#19 (permalink)
Alex McKee Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gloucester Posts: 6,666	Yes, so do I. I was being deliberately facetious. However many politicians, and civil servants, hold the public in nothing short of contempt. I experienced it first hand whilst working for the DWP.