Tory rebel Bob Spink becomes Ukip's first MP !!!!

SponPlague · 22-04-2008, 08:47 AM

Rejoice, Rejoice!

Petrina · 22-04-2008, 09:13 AM

I am not surprised that Spink took a while to decide whether to join up .He will now become the focus of a lot of Tory anger in the Commons and a good deal of cat -calling .However he is quite a tough cookie and I wish him luck .

I have no doubt that he is a genuine eurosceptic and that he will fight to expose the Lib/Lab/Con in Parliament re the Eu takeover of this country .

As a trained management consultant he is in a splendid position to analyze the UKIP failure to organise itself as an effective and well tuned fighting force ,his comments should be listened to with interest.

Anthony Butcher · 22-04-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britannist

The Labour vote has just gone up 5% according to a new ICM opinion poll in today's Guardian (I linked to a report on the poll a little earlier in this thread in posting number 33).

The overall trend is still downward though I think. If the economy continues to slide (and it's all about the economy) Labour will be in deep trouble by the time of the next election.

OK, maybe some wishful thinking on my part!

Anthony Butcher · 22-04-2008, 09:18 AM

This is a round up of the news coverage:
UK Independence Party - UKIP welcomes its first MP

Quote:

The UK Independence Party is delighted to welcome Dr Bob Spink, MP for Castle Point in Essex, as its first Member of Parliament.

Dr Spink has joined UKIP to help fight the European Union and to argue for more relevant policies at Westminster on issues that concern the British people.

Dr Spink said: “I am delighted to join the UKIP team, helping to fight for Britain's interests in Europe and for better policy on the issues that really matter to people.

“I have been increasingly disappointed with the Tory Party's failure to be honest with the public on a wide range of issues such as pensions, crime, immigration and defence, which is why I voted against the Tory whip so often in recent years and finally resigned the whip last month.

“I am delighted to join a strong UKIP team in which I will continue to fight for the primacy of our Parliament, our democracy and freedoms. I am pro, not anti-European, but positive and sensible co-operation with the EU does not require us to sell the British people down the river or to give our independence away.”

UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: “I am delighted to welcome the hard working and deeply principled Bob Spink as UKIP's first Member of Parliament.

"As Bob is a signatory to the ‘Better Off Out’ campaign, joining UKIP was a logical step."

UKIP Peer, Lord Willoughby de Broke said: "I am thrilled that UKIP now has a representative in the House of Commons. I look forward to working with him to further UKIP's programme of leaving the European Union.”

BBC NEWS | Politics | Ex-Tory MP Spink defects to UKIP

Quote:

The UK Independence Party has its first MP after former Conservative Bob Spink announced he is to join its ranks.
Mr Spink resigned the Tory whip last month in a row over apparent efforts by his local party to deselect him.
He claims the Conservatives have been "dishonest" over their Europe policies and says a by-election in his Castle Point constituency is unnecessary.
UKIP say they are "delighted" about their new recruit. Senior Tories say they are "relaxed" about the move.
Mr Spink said he had decided to leave the Conservatives after years of being "disenchanted" with the party.
'Logical step'
He accused them of being "dishonest" with the public over a wide range of issues, including Europe, pensions, crime, immigration and defence.

"I voted against the Tory whip 22 times in the last session, on issues such as equality for women on pensions, which I think is a good thing, and on defence issues, and getting tough on crime, issues that really concern the people of this country," he told BBC's Five Live Breakfast.
"I think that politics is becoming increasingly dishonourable at Westminster and I am delighted to be joining a strong UKIP team so that we can get some meat on these domestic policies."
UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: "I am delighted to welcome the hard-working and deeply principled Bob Spink as UKIP's first Member of Parliament.
"As Bob is a signatory to the 'Better Off Out' campaign, joining UKIP was a logical step."
UKIP peer Lord Willoughby de Broke said: "I am thrilled that UKIP now has a representative in the House of Commons.
"I look forward to working with him to further UKIP's programme of leaving the European Union."
Deselection claims
Mr Spink has sometimes been a controversial figure who fell out with the Conservative leadership following bitter rows with his local constituency.
In February he claimed members of his local Conservative Association had been working to deselect him.
During the 2005 general election campaign he was accused of whipping up racial tension for running a newspaper advert on immigration, headlined: "What bit of 'send them back' don't you understand Mr Blair?"
Mr Spink is the third Conservative MP to lose the Tory whip in the last year. The others were Derek Conway and Andrew Pelling. Quentin Davies defected to Labour in June 2007. Mr Spink was first elected to Parliament in 1992, but lost his seat in 1997, before regaining it in 2001.

Spink Joins Uk Independence Party (from Echo)

Quote:

CASTLE Point MP Bob Spink has joined the UK Independence Party.
The former Tory, who resigned the Conservative whip last month, now becomes the first UKIP MP in the House of Commons.
Mr Spink accused the Conservative Party, which expelled him last month, of being "dishonest" with the public over its policies on Europe.
He also insisted that despite the change there was no need for a by-election in his Castle Point, Essex, constituency.

Dr Spink said he was looking forward to a new and exciting political future with the party.
He said: "I am delighted to join the UKIP team, helping to fight for British interests in Europe and for better policy on domestic issues.
"I have been increasingly disappointed with the failure of the main parties to be honest with the public to listen on issues that people are concerned about like pensions, crime, immigration, development and infrastructure."
The MP added: "UKIP provides and alternative that's not the BNP and a party that listens to the people." The party's leader, Nigel Farage, said: "I am delighted to welcome the hard working and deeply principled Bob Spink as our first Member of Parliament.
UKIP peer Lord Willoughby de Broke added: "I am thrilled that UKIP now has a representative in the House of Commons. I look forward to working with him to further our programme of leaving the European Union."

Anthony Butcher · 22-04-2008, 09:19 AM

UKIP gains its first MP - UK Politics, UK - The Independent

Quote:

The UK Independence Party gained its first member of Parliament today after former Tory MP Bob Spink announced he had joined its ranks.
Mr Spink accused the Conservative Party, which expelled him last month, of being "dishonest" with the public over its policies on Europe.
He also insisted that despite the change there was no need for a by-election in his Castle Point, Essex, constituency.
"I was elected as Bob Spink... I work hard for my constituents and I will continue to do so," he said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"I am following to the letter every word that I promised them in my manifesto and I only wish that the parties were doing the same, including the Tory Party.
"They heap criticism on other parties for bringing (the EU Reform Treaty) forward, and yet they refuse point blank to do anything about it if they get power.
"That is a dishonest position to hold with the public."
Mr Spink is a controversial figure who fell out with the Tory leadership after bitter rows with his local constituency party.
He was first elected to Parliament in 1992, losing his seat in 1997 but then regaining it in 2001.
Mr Spink insisted today that he planned to continue in elected politics "for a long time".
In a statement released by Ukip, Mr Spink said: "I am delighted to join the Ukip team, helping to fight for Britain's interests in Europe and for better policy on the issues that really matter to people.
"I have been increasingly disappointed with the Tory Party's failure to be honest with the public on a wide range of issues like pensions, crime, immigration and defence, which is why I voted against the Tory whip so often in recent years and finally resigned the whip last month."
The party's leader, Nigel Farage, said: "I am delighted to welcome the hard working and deeply principled Bob Spink as our first Member of Parliament.
Ukip peer Lord Willoughby de Broke added: "I am thrilled that Ukip now has a representative in the House of Commons. I look forward to working with him to further our programme of leaving the European Union."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1770

Quote:

The UK Independence Party will today gain its first seat in Parliament after a former Tory MP agreed to join the single-issue party.

Bob Spink, the MP for Castle Point in Essex, who was expelled from the Conservative Party last month, will represent the Eurosceptic group after becoming "increasingly disappointed" with David Cameron's leadership.
The defection was heralded as a coup by Ukip, with its leader depicting Mr Spink as a "deeply principled" man.
Speaking last night, Mr Spink said: "I am delighted to join the Ukip team, helping to fight for Britain's interests in Europe and for better policy on the issues that really matter to people."
Last month, the Conservatives withdrew the whip from the backbencher.
The Essex MP claimed he had quit the Parliamentary party over its leaders' failure to tackle "serious criminal and other irregularities" in his constituency.
But this was contradicted by Tory officials, who said he had been suspended by chief whip Patrick McLoughlin after threatening to resign.
Mr Spink, a self-made millionaire, has been involved in a long-running dispute with his local Tory association, which has twice tried to remove him.
Well-placed sources said grassroots Tories felt the married father-of-four had "brought the association into disrepute", after he began a relationship with a councillor.
But last night, Mr Spink, 59, launched a fresh broadside against his former party, telling The Daily Telegraph: "I have been increasingly disappointed with the Tory Party's failure to be honest with the public on a wide range of issues like pensions, crime, immigration and defence.
"Dishonesty over the EU Constitution is the Tories' greatest failure. They heap criticism on other parties, but refuse to remove the constitution if they ever get power.
"The public see this as opportunistic and hypocritical, but sadly, it is typical of Westminster politics. It is little wonder the public hold politicians in such contempt."
Nigel Farage, Ukip's leader said: "I am delighted to welcome the hard-working and deeply principled Bob Spink as Ukip's first member of Parliament."
Ukip peer Lord Willoughby de Broke added: "I am thrilled that Ukip now has a representative in the house of Commons.
"I look forward to working with him to further Ukip's programme of leaving the European Union."
Conservative sources last night played down the defection, after the party's public falling out with Mr Spink. Following his removal from the party, well-placed sources said grassroots Tories felt Mr Spink had "brought the association into disrepute".

Ukip gains first MP as Bob Spink finds new Commons role

Quote:

The UK Independence party (Ukip) has gained a foothold in the Commons as former Conservative backbencher Bob Spink becomes the party's first MP.

It comes after the MP for Castle Point in Essex lost the Tory whip after remarks about failing to root out corruption in the local party.

Mr Spink, one of the Commons' most vocal opponents of abortion, said he had become "increasingly disappointed" with the Conservatives' drift to the centre-right.

He explained his disagreements on issues like pensions, crime, immigration and defence had led to him voting against the Tory whip frequently in recent years.

On the EU, Ukip's most prominent issue, he added: "I am pro, not anti-European, but positive and sensible cooperation with the EU does not require us to sell the British people down the river or to give our independence away."

Ukip leader Nigel Farage described Mr Spink as "hard-working and deeply principled" and described his decision to join the party as a "logical step" to take given his beliefs.

Difficulties with Mr Spink's constituency party were key to his departure. Mr Spink had accused his local party of "serious criminal and other irregularities",

That led to chief whip Patrick McLoughlin withdrawing the whip prior to Mr Spink's resignation, a claim Mr Spink dismissed as "brass-knecked dishonesty".

It was reported locally that Mr Spink had fallen out with local councillor Bill Sharp after being romantically linked to his partner Gail Boland, a former councillor.

Britannist · 22-04-2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vortex

I'm glad you're as thrilled as a prep school boy who's got his first fifty, but the long term omens are not good. There have been maverick MPs in the past who have defected to lost causes before, one being John Stonehouse who became an English National Party MP in the 1970s. He was kicked out by a massive majority at the next election.....

You have not mentioned the General Election results at Plymouth-Devonport in the 1983 and 1987.

Lord David Owen (then David Owen MP) quit the Labour Party to form the rival SDP political party in 1981. He stood as an SDP candidate in the seat he held - Plymouth-Devonport - at the 1983 General Election and retained the seat despite a strong campaign by the party he left (Labour) to try to get him out.

Four years later - in 1987 - he held Plymouth-Devonport again. He never lost that seat and retired as its MP before the 1992 General Election.

And you have also failed to mention the best example in modern politics of someone quitting one of the two big parties and going on to stand as a candidate for a much smaller party and win: George Galloway MP.

For those readers who do not know it - Mr. Galloway left the Labour Party during the last Parliament. He sat as an independent for a short time and then joined the Respect Party. He stood as a Respect candidate at Bethnal Green at the last General Election and defeated the sitting Labour MP.

Like Mr. Galloway, Mr. Spink also sat as an independent for a short time before joining a smaller party. There is already significant support for UKIP in Mr. Spink's Castle Point constituency and the seat is overwhelmingly eurosceptic. When George Galloway stood at Bethnal Green at the last General Election there was no previous support for his Respect Party (they had never contested the seat before) - but he still won the constituency.

At Castle Point, Mr. Spink joins party - UKIP - which already has thousands of local people behind it.

So there you have it - two examples of two people who quit one of the big parties and who won/retained seats in the General Elections which followed.

You are not a supporter of UKIP, are you Vortex? If you are not you will not be pleased that the party now has its own member of Parliament.

Anthony Butcher · 22-04-2008, 09:22 AM

Former Tory MP switches to opposition - Scotsman.com News

Quote:

THE UK Independence Party gained its first Member of Parliament today after former Tory MP Bob Spink announced he had joined its ranks.

Mr Spink was expelled from the Conservative Party last month after a bitter dispute with the local party in his Castle Point, Essex, constituency.

Today he accused the Tories of being "dishonest" with the public over its policies on Europe and said there was no need for him to fight a by-election despite his switch of parties.

He said: "I was elected as Bob Spink. I work hard for my constituents and I will continue to do so.

"I am following to the letter every word that I promised them in my manifesto and I only wish the parties were doing the same, including the Tory Party."

EADT - Tory MP defects to UKIP

Quote:

AN Essex MP has defected to the UK Independence Party, a month after resigning the Conservative whip in protest at the party's “failure” to protect him from possible deselection at the next election.

Bob Spink, who was first elected MP for Castle Point in 1992, becomes the first serving Member of Parliament to join UKIP, which wants Britain to quit the European Union.

In a statement released by UKIP, he accused the Conservative Party of being “dishonest” with the public over its policies on Europe.

“I am delighted to join the UKIP team, helping to fight for Britain's interests in Europe and for better policy on the issues that really matter to people.

“I have been increasingly disappointed with the Tory Party's failure to be honest with the public on a wide range of issues like pensions, crime, immigration and defence, which is why I voted against the Tory whip so often in recent years and finally resigned the whip last month.”

Jeffrey Titford, who became UKIP's first elected politician from this region after winning a seat in the European Parliament, said: “I am very pleased that UKIP's first Member of the House of Commons is from the East of England.

“The Eastern Counties have a strong EU-realist pedigree as the results of the last two European Elections have shown. Bob will be a major asset to the Party and may be a catalyst for future electoral success.”

The party's leader, Nigel Farage, described Mr Spink as “hard working and deeply principled” while UKIP peer Lord Willoughby de Broke said he was “thrilled” that the party at last had a representative in the House of Commons.

Mr Spink, who had been in dispute with his local Tory Party which had threatened to deselect him, said he had no intention of resigning his seat and fighting a by-election. “I was elected as Bob Spink. I work hard for my constituents and I will continue to do so.

“I am following to the letter every word that I promised them in my manifesto and I only wish that the parties were doing the same, including the Tory Party.

“They heap criticism on other parties for bringing the EU Reform Treaty forward, and yet they refuse point blank to do anything about it if they get power. That is a dishonest position to hold with the public.”

Mr Spink was elected in 1992 by was defeated by Labour in 1997. Four years' later, he regained Castle Point and held in 2005 with a majority of 8,201. In that election, UKIP polled 7.5% of the vote, one of the few seats where they saved their deposit.

Bob Spink becomes Ukip's first MP - politics.co.uk

Quote:

Former Conservative MP Bob Spink has become the UK Independence party's (Ukip) first MP.

It comes after the MP for Castle Point in Essex lost the Tory whip after remarks about failing to root out corruption in the local party.

Mr Spink, one of the Commons' most vocal opponents of abortion, said he had become "increasingly disappointed" with the Conservatives' drift to the centre-right.

He explained his disagreements on issues like pensions, crime, immigration and defence had led to him voting against the Tory whip frequently in recent years.

On the EU, Ukip's most prominent issue, he added: "I am pro, not anti-European, but positive and sensible cooperation with the EU does not require us to sell the British people down the river or to give our independence away."

Ukip leader Nigel Farage described Mr Spink as "hard-working and deeply principled" and described his decision to join the party as a "logical step" to take given his beliefs.

Difficulties with Mr Spink's constituency party were key to his departure. Mr Spink had accused his local party of "serious criminal and other irregularities",

That led to chief whip Patrick McLoughlin withdrawing the whip prior to Mr Spink's resignation, a claim Mr Spink dismissed as "brass-knecked dishonesty".

It was reported locally that Mr Spink had fallen out with local councillor Bill Sharp after being romantically linked to his partner Gail Boland, a former councillor.

Britannist · 22-04-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony Butcher

The overall trend is still downward though I think. If the economy continues to slide (and it's all about the economy) Labour will be in deep trouble by the time of the next election. OK, maybe some wishful thinking on my part!

Governments have won General Elections with the economy not doing well - but I share your view that Labour deserve to be removed from office. Not just because of the poor state of the economy (i.e. inflation, high council tax, expensive energy bills, stealth tax etc.) - but because of their europhile and pro-ID card views and because of their disgraceful refusal to honour their 2005 General Election Manifesto promise to give us a referendum vote on the EU Constitution.

Andrew Constantine · 22-04-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britannist

Andrew: I hope that you will agree with me that the English Democrats (EDP), UKIP, Veritas, One London and, of course, your Free England Party (FEP), should meet to try to agree on a limited or full agreement that only one of the named parties contest any given electoral contest?

Such an agreement would mean that when Mr. Spink stands for UKIP at the next General Election (if it is true he has joined UKIP) the FEP, the EDP, Veritas and One London would not put up candidates in his Castle Point constituency.

In return, your FEP could contest a Parliamentary By-Election elsewhere with UKIP/EDP/Veritas/One London support.

An agreement of this kind between the named parties would help prevent the anti-EU and pro-England vote from being split.

Britannist

I confirm that the Free England Party would not wish to stand against Bob Spink in his capacity as UKIP's first MP. Indeed, I will personally commend and postively encourage all English nationalists to support his campaign for re-election.

I hope Mr Spink will welcome to his campaign we English nationalists with our English flags in evidence, supporting him.

Regards, Andrew

Britannist · 22-04-2008, 09:48 AM

ePolitix.com - Spink becomes first UKIP MP

22-04-2008, 09:13 AM	#42 (permalink)
Petrina Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: sussex Posts: 933	I am not surprised that Spink took a while to decide whether to join up .He will now become the focus of a lot of Tory anger in the Commons and a good deal of cat -calling .However he is quite a tough cookie and I wish him luck . I have no doubt that he is a genuine eurosceptic and that he will fight to expose the Lib/Lab/Con in Parliament re the Eu takeover of this country . As a trained management consultant he is in a splendid position to analyze the UKIP failure to organise itself as an effective and well tuned fighting force ,his comments should be listened to with interest. Last edited by Petrina; 22-04-2008 at 09:17 AM.

22-04-2008, 09:48 AM	#50 (permalink)
Britannist Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 22,896	Mr. Bob Spink - UKIP MP ePolitix.com - Spink becomes first UKIP MP

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22-04-2008, 08:47 AM	#41 (permalink)
SponPlague Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Zurich Posts: 1,651	Rejoice, Rejoice!