Should UKIP re-brand itself as The Libertarian Party?

Joe · 24-02-2007, 10:08 PM

Whilst of course still being opposed to Britain membership of the EU. Should UKIP adopt this platform.
To protect the liberties of individuals. UKIP already claims to be a libertarian party. Would this identity attract voters?

Alex McKee · 24-02-2007, 10:10 PM

Indeed.

We've been refused "Independence"; there is a strong Libertarian wing in UKIP and there is certainly an appetite in Britain for a party that actually wants to protect our freedoms, not encroach on them.

So I have voted yes.

mkpdavies · 24-02-2007, 10:38 PM

I doubt you would carry the party. UKIP has libertarian leanings, rather than being full on libertarian.

devilskitchen · 24-02-2007, 10:49 PM

And yet it has hard-core libertarian nutcases like me in it too!

I voted yes, but is there not a Libertarian Party already?

mkpdavies · 24-02-2007, 10:52 PM

It's a coalition party really. Made up of EU haters of all shades, libertarians, traditional conservatives and a few others.

devilskitchen · 24-02-2007, 10:54 PM

Which is why there is so much infighting, of course...

mkpdavies · 24-02-2007, 10:55 PM

If UKIP ever win and return democracy and self rule to this country, then you would see some very brutal infighting I am sure.

Anthony Butcher · 24-02-2007, 10:57 PM

I think that it could be a strong move, yes. There are dangers of course and the Lib Dems are testament to that. Liberal/libertarian policies tend to create media-unfriendly situations.

The anti-UKIP lot would portray the new party as pro-prostitution, pro-drugs, pro-smoking, pro-binge drinking, pro-porn, pro-gambling etc. i.e. socially irresponsible. You would need party leaders willing to stick to their guns and not cave in.

Also, I agree with Matt; most of the party members don't fit into the libertarian category. The other problem is that the only binding element UKIP has is that it is anti-EU. Take that away as the main focus and you will have a hard time keeping the membership together.

devilskitchen · 24-02-2007, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony Butcher

The anti-UKIP lot would portray the new party as pro-prostitution, pro-drugs, pro-smoking, pro-binge drinking, pro-porn, pro-gambling etc. i.e. socially irresponsible.

Yup, that sounds like me...

mkpdavies · 24-02-2007, 11:06 PM

I'm not particularly pro any of those things, but I am pro the freedoom to choose to do those things, backed with a clear and enforced set of rules that you will be held massively responsible for any abuse of them.

View Poll Results: Should UKIP re-brand itself as The Libertarian Party?
Yes	13	40.63%
No	19	59.38%
Voters: 32. You may not vote on this poll

24-02-2007, 10:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Joe Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 21	Should UKIP re-brand itself as The Libertarian Party? Whilst of course still being opposed to Britain membership of the EU. Should UKIP adopt this platform. To protect the liberties of individuals. UKIP already claims to be a libertarian party. Would this identity attract voters?

24-02-2007, 10:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 32,078 Party: Libertarian Party	I doubt you would carry the party. UKIP has libertarian leanings, rather than being full on libertarian. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Lib Dems

24-02-2007, 10:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
devilskitchen Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London Posts: 419	And yet it has hard-core libertarian nutcases like me in it too! I voted yes, but is there not a Libertarian Party already? __________________ Unio Europaea delenda est

24-02-2007, 10:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 32,078 Party: Libertarian Party	It's a coalition party really. Made up of EU haters of all shades, libertarians, traditional conservatives and a few others. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Lib Dems

24-02-2007, 10:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Alex McKee Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gloucester Posts: 6,666	Indeed. We've been refused "Independence"; there is a strong Libertarian wing in UKIP and there is certainly an appetite in Britain for a party that actually wants to protect our freedoms, not encroach on them. So I have voted yes.

24-02-2007, 10:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
devilskitchen Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London Posts: 419	Which is why there is so much infighting, of course... __________________ Unio Europaea delenda est

24-02-2007, 10:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 32,078 Party: Libertarian Party	If UKIP ever win and return democracy and self rule to this country, then you would see some very brutal infighting I am sure. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Lib Dems

24-02-2007, 10:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
Anthony Butcher Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Long Ashton, Bristol Posts: 10,315 Party: None	I think that it could be a strong move, yes. There are dangers of course and the Lib Dems are testament to that. Liberal/libertarian policies tend to create media-unfriendly situations. The anti-UKIP lot would portray the new party as pro-prostitution, pro-drugs, pro-smoking, pro-binge drinking, pro-porn, pro-gambling etc. i.e. socially irresponsible. You would need party leaders willing to stick to their guns and not cave in. Also, I agree with Matt; most of the party members don't fit into the libertarian category. The other problem is that the only binding element UKIP has is that it is anti-EU. Take that away as the main focus and you will have a hard time keeping the membership together.

24-02-2007, 11:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 32,078 Party: Libertarian Party	I'm not particularly pro any of those things, but I am pro the freedoom to choose to do those things, backed with a clear and enforced set of rules that you will be held massively responsible for any abuse of them. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Lib Dems

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