Provisional Report From Bristol conference

Aardvark · 07-04-2008, 10:12 AM

Geoffrey, That would be to beat Albert up intellectually as I am not a man of violence.

I'm curious to know what happened at Bar Hill. I went to Loxley in the hope of meeting old acquaintances and not because I am taking the part of one faction against another.

CIB have reported, 'Stop the Treaty' have reported, does anyone have a link to a report on Bar Hill?

Michael Heaver · 07-04-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aardvark

Geoffrey, That would be to beat Albert up intellectually as I am not a man of violence.

I'm curious to know what happened at Bar Hill. I went to Loxley in the hope of meeting old acquaintances and not because I am taking the part of one faction against another.

CIB have reported, 'Stop the Treaty' have reported, does anyone have a link to a report on Bar Hill?

I was at Bar Hill. It was a great rally, the highlight probably being Lord Stoddart of Swindon's fantastic insight into how Labour was run behind the scenes and how UKIP needs to become relevant.

Any questions in particular?

chikrodah · 07-04-2008, 12:26 PM

How many attendees?

Who spoke? Provide a synopsis of each speaker's main points.

What are the plans going forward?

What opportunity did attendees have to discuss matters with the speakers? In what format (written questions, round-table discussion, informal chats over a pint, etc.)?

Aardvark · 07-04-2008, 12:27 PM

How will we become relevant?

Michael Heaver · 07-04-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aardvark

How will we become relevant?

Engaging with the public more via a comprehensive domestic policy agenda (i.e. DCB's fantastic policy groups) that will see UKIP become THE political alternative on a range of issues. I believe we have already done this fairly well when it comes to our policy on grammar schools, for instance.

I haven't got time at the moment to compile a report of the Rally but I may at some point.

eublues · 07-04-2008, 01:46 PM

DCB's efforts here are very important. The process is going much more slowly than was intended, however.

chikrodah · 07-04-2008, 02:16 PM

Any other forum members amongst the attendees at Bar Hill? Or do we have to guess what went on?

Anthony Butcher · 07-04-2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Heaver

Engaging with the public more via a comprehensive domestic policy agenda (i.e. DCB's fantastic policy groups) that will see UKIP become THE political alternative on a range of issues.

The problem is that a set of policies means nothing in the big scheme of things. Having awful policies, like in 2005, destroys credibility, so having competent policies is just a pre-requisite for being taken seriously. On their own however, they won't make any real difference. Most people don't vote on policies, they vote on brand, personality, local issues, habit and media hype.

UKIP still, unbelievably, doesn't have a shadow cabinet. How on earth it is supposed to engage with the public and media with just one person in charge of promoting every policy is beyond me.

The big parties see policy as a branding tool. It doesn't really matter what they announce, or even if they announce the same thing several times. What matters is the brand association it creates. The Tories wanted to appear 'green' so they continuously put out green related announcements for several weeks. Can you remember a single one of their policies now?

So unless UKIP has dedicated spokesmen constantly pushing the branding (using the improved policies), then the policies will count for very little.

komerad · 07-04-2008, 03:52 PM

I'm amazed that DED has not had the time to report the outcome of the Bar Hill conference in his usual gushing terminology regarding anything concerning NF.
Although I see he did find time to criticize the S West's Webbington conference of last Saturday.
I would have thought that a member of the NEC would welcome a UKIP conference, where ever it was staged especially with a MEP & various NEC members among the speakers.I believe we need more of these in different parts of the UK to stimulate & keep members interest.
I was glad to see tha DED welcomed the re-application of membership by Richard Suchorzewski - what's the betting on it being approved?

Petrina · 07-04-2008, 04:04 PM

My info tells me that there were only about 80 people at the Bar Hill meeting hence the lack of feedback.

07-04-2008, 10:12 AM	#21 (permalink)
Aardvark Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oxonia Posts: 4,253	Geoffrey, That would be to beat Albert up intellectually as I am not a man of violence. I'm curious to know what happened at Bar Hill. I went to Loxley in the hope of meeting old acquaintances and not because I am taking the part of one faction against another. CIB have reported, 'Stop the Treaty' have reported, does anyone have a link to a report on Bar Hill? __________________ When in Woking do as the Wokes do. "I do not wish to form my opinions by thoughtlessly quoting others; I wish others to support their opinions by sensibly quoting me." Paul Wesson (Aardvark) 13th April 2008

07-04-2008, 12:27 PM	#24 (permalink)
Aardvark Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oxonia Posts: 4,253	How will we become relevant? __________________ When in Woking do as the Wokes do. "I do not wish to form my opinions by thoughtlessly quoting others; I wish others to support their opinions by sensibly quoting me." Paul Wesson (Aardvark) 13th April 2008

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07-04-2008, 12:26 PM	#23 (permalink)
chikrodah Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Midlands Posts: 1,872	How many attendees? Who spoke? Provide a synopsis of each speaker's main points. What are the plans going forward? What opportunity did attendees have to discuss matters with the speakers? In what format (written questions, round-table discussion, informal chats over a pint, etc.)?

07-04-2008, 01:46 PM	#26 (permalink)
eublues Uber Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,189	DCB's efforts here are very important. The process is going much more slowly than was intended, however.

07-04-2008, 02:16 PM	#27 (permalink)
chikrodah Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Midlands Posts: 1,872	Any other forum members amongst the attendees at Bar Hill? Or do we have to guess what went on?

07-04-2008, 03:52 PM	#29 (permalink)
komerad Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cardiff. S.Wales Posts: 631	I'm amazed that DED has not had the time to report the outcome of the Bar Hill conference in his usual gushing terminology regarding anything concerning NF. Although I see he did find time to criticize the S West's Webbington conference of last Saturday. I would have thought that a member of the NEC would welcome a UKIP conference, where ever it was staged especially with a MEP & various NEC members among the speakers.I believe we need more of these in different parts of the UK to stimulate & keep members interest. I was glad to see tha DED welcomed the re-application of membership by Richard Suchorzewski - what's the betting on it being approved?

07-04-2008, 04:04 PM	#30 (permalink)
Petrina Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: sussex Posts: 1,062	My info tells me that there were only about 80 people at the Bar Hill meeting hence the lack of feedback.