UKIP prepares for battle over EU

Anthony Butcher · 05-10-2007, 11:22 PM

Although the link was posted by Brittanist elsewhere, I think that it deserves its own thread:
BBC NEWS | Politics | UKIP prepares for battle over EU

Quote:

Nigel Farage must be the only leader of an opposition party in Britain who is not taunting Gordon Brown with cries of "bring it on" every time talk turns to the prospects of an early election.

The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) leader is prepared to admit that his party is not ready for an autumn poll.
It doesn't have the funds to fight a campaign right now and has not selected its candidates.
What's more Mr Farage doesn't believe the other parties are ready either - no matter how often they claim to be desperate to go to the country.
'Between wars'
UKIP has had a difficult year and is still embroiled in a row with the election watchdog, the Electoral Commission over funding.
The watchdog ruled that the party should be made to pay back more than £300,000 in donations.
A court later ruled that UKIP only had to forfeit £18,481. The Electoral Commission is not appealing against that ruling.
One of the highlights of this year's conference has been the announcement of EU whistle-blower, Marta Andreasen as the party's new treasurer.
Mrs Andreasen, the former chief accountant for the European Commission, was sacked after she refused to sign off the Commission's accounts.
Referendum
The conference is being held in a 1930s art deco former cinema. Black and white photographs of Hollywood stars line the walls.
And at times there has been a "between the wars" feel to the debates.
After a period of silence the European Union is once again the subject of political debate with cross-party calls for a referendum on what the government calls the proposed reform treaty.
However critics, including UKIP, argue it is simply a re-working of the EU Constitution rejected by voters in France and the Netherlands two years ago.
Mr Farage believes that Gordon Brown is unlikely to offer a vote on the new EU treaty but thinks the prime minister might call a referendum on Britain's continued membership of the European Union. That, the UKIP leader says would put his party centre stage. And the party faithful here in east London are certainly ready for that political fight.

Anthony Butcher · 05-10-2007, 11:23 PM

Quote:

The Electoral Commission is not appealing against that ruling.

Is that correct?

Anthony Butcher · 05-10-2007, 11:31 PM

I can't see anything to suggest that the EC have dropped the case, and this was the last statement issued on it:
The Electoral Commission : Media centre : News releases: donations

Quote:

Electoral Commission to appeal judgment on impermissible donations to UKIP
29 Aug 2007

"The Electoral Commission has today lodged an appeal against the recent magistrates' court judgment that UKIP should only partially surrender impermissible donations accepted by the party. We are disappointed that the court did not order forfeiture of all the donations in question which, by UKIP's own admission, were impermissible.

"As it is the first time that the law on forfeiture of impermissible donations has been tested in court, we believe it is important to clarify the law in this area. We will continue to intervene when parties haven't complied with the law, to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the democratic process."

Anthony Butcher · 06-10-2007, 02:47 PM

The BBC story has now been modified:

Quote:

A court later ruled that UKIP only had to forfeit £18,481. The Electoral Commission is appealing against that ruling.

Simon Muir · 06-10-2007, 09:19 PM

Greg Lance-Watkins is tonight circulating two letters (referenced on my web site, because of the file size) purporting to have come from the Electoral Commission to the then UKIP treasurer. Whatever you think of G.L.-W., If these are genuine, they rather give the lie to the idea that UKIP are blameless innocents in all this.

http://www.muircom.demon.co.uk/UKIP/...on-letters.pdf

Westcountryman · 21-10-2007, 04:16 AM

Somehow missed this article (and thread). Not the best summary of the conference or the Party situation, but say I expected more from the Beeb.

Interesting to note about the Electoral Commission's appeal - hopefully they'll lose again and get lumped with costs.

devilskitchen · 22-10-2007, 05:00 AM

The £18k is the amount of actual impermissable donations, i.e. the money that was given whilst Bown was off the electoral role, etc. The EC is looking to confiscate all donations given in that year, which is about £350k.

Anthony Butcher · 22-10-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilskitchen

The £18k is the amount of actual impermissable donations, i.e. the money that was given whilst Bown was off the electoral role, etc. The EC is looking to confiscate all donations given in that year, which is about £350k.

And that of course excludes the legal bill, which presumably Alan Bown is footing. I can realistically see that being in the £30-40K range already, without the appeal.

I don't think that the EC are doing themselves any favours with this appeal, and if they lose it and have to pay costs (is that possible in this case?) it will just give UKIP more credence in its criticisms.

steve fowler · 22-10-2007, 03:25 PM

Put it this anthony i will admit we as a party did wrong but why the EC wont dare touch the three main partys who have also done wrong i dont get?.

devilskitchen · 22-10-2007, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony Butcher

I don't think that the EC are doing themselves any favours with this appeal, and if they lose it and have to pay costs (is that possible in this case?) it will just give UKIP more credence in its criticisms.

What would be absolutely hilarious is if the costs effectively bankrupted the EC. It'll never happen -- they are bankrolled with our cash -- but one can dream, no?

06-10-2007, 09:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
Simon Muir Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bristol Posts: 166	Greg Lance-Watkins is tonight circulating two letters (referenced on my web site, because of the file size) purporting to have come from the Electoral Commission to the then UKIP treasurer. Whatever you think of G.L.-W., If these are genuine, they rather give the lie to the idea that UKIP are blameless innocents in all this. http://www.muircom.demon.co.uk/UKIP/...on-letters.pdf __________________ Macduff, becoming tired of tomfoolery, flung his sword aside, and seizing hold of McGonagall, brought the sublime tragedy of Macbeth to a close in a rather undnigified way, by taking the feet from under the principal character. (review, Dundee 1858)

21-10-2007, 04:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
Westcountryman Uber Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Westcountry. Posts: 5,922 Party: None	Somehow missed this article (and thread). Not the best summary of the conference or the Party situation, but say I expected more from the Beeb. Interesting to note about the Electoral Commission's appeal - hopefully they'll lose again and get lumped with costs. __________________ Manus haec inimica tyrannis ense petit placidam sub libertate quietam - "This hand of mine, which is hostile to tyrants, seeks by the sword quiet peace under liberty."

22-10-2007, 05:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
devilskitchen Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London Posts: 418	The £18k is the amount of actual impermissable donations, i.e. the money that was given whilst Bown was off the electoral role, etc. The EC is looking to confiscate all donations given in that year, which is about £350k. __________________ Unio Europaea delenda est

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22-10-2007, 03:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
steve fowler Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 1,200 Party: UKIP	Put it this anthony i will admit we as a party did wrong but why the EC wont dare touch the three main partys who have also done wrong i dont get?.