Anthony Butcher

I don't think that things are that dismal yet. The presence of two lords and an MP have countered the London results, and the local elections weren't terrible, although they were far short of where UKIP needs to be if it is to start making an impact.

The 2009 elections will be the key. If UKIP loses its MEPs, then it will be over.

__________________
If you care about what's in your food and where it comes from, then get it labelled!
Label My Food - http://www.labelmyfood.org.uk

Millennium3

I don't know why voters will turn to UKIP. There is no RKS, the Tories have made the running on a referendum on the LT, BNP on immigration and TW has made the party seem a joke - this coupled to the NF adverse publicity. I don't think the public have a soft spot in their hearts for UKIP - why should they?

B.A.Ware

I think you are being a bit optimistic Anthony the local elections were terrible especially here in Birmingham (see results section). the presence of two lords and an MP should have helped the London Campaign yet it didn't.
Having two lords and an MP might make UKIP members feel good but what influence are they going to have on the electorate. I have told people about our newly gained MP most have never heard of him and the ones that do are Tories and they say you are welcome to him.

I read in another post in 2000 we had 2% of the vote and in 2008 we had 1.9% of the vote(locals) hardly a ringing endorsement of success.

UKIP cant wait for failure in 2009 it has to act now, it has to look at what it is doing wrong and change.
I wont hold my breath.

__________________
We’re not just about Europe.

Anthony Butcher

That's just in London. I think that the average UKIP vote in the local elections outside London was much higher; somewhere in the region of 7-10% from the sample of results I looked at. I haven't seen a thorough analysis though.

__________________
If you care about what's in your food and where it comes from, then get it labelled!
Label My Food - http://www.labelmyfood.org.uk

B.A.Ware

Well here in Birmingham it was bad and to be beaten by the BNP in almost all seats is a pretty poor show IMHO

__________________
We’re not just about Europe.

Anthony Butcher

Yup, the cities are where UKIP does the worst. One might expect this to cause UKIP to examine its concentration on immigration, given that it is the cities most impacted by mass immigration.

__________________
If you care about what's in your food and where it comes from, then get it labelled!
Label My Food - http://www.labelmyfood.org.uk

Millennium3

It much depends on what line the Tories take - although not likely, if they said they would hold a post ratification referendum if they win the next GE and are still far ahead in the polls - I can't see any eurosceptic party getting an MEP.

However if they don't, and BNP play the immigration card [surely the most disliked and obvious effect of our membership] then UKIP will be hard pressed to hold onto many seats. BNP's published line on immigration seems to have been changed to remove racist overtones - what has UKIP got to recommend them given the NF & TW bad press?

B.A.Ware

Just checked Walsaw council elections 07/08 all bar one seat was down, no BNP competition.

8 comparable seats contested 07/08

1 Aldridge Central and South -42%

2 Bloxwich West -5.25

3 Paddock -47.36

4 Pheasey Park Farm -11.5%

5 Pleck -12.37

6 St. Matthews +23.61

7 Streetly -31.23%

8 Willenhall North -38.34%

I cant believe this is just a Midlands thing, if UKIP wants to do any good it has to win seats on city councils Like Birmingham..

__________________
We’re not just about Europe.

douglas denny

No.

Correct.

Incorrect. I did no such thing. Where do you get this libel from?

Because I was not part of any such machinations.
Communications were proceeding perfectly well between Daniell Foggo and myself by e-mail in correct names. He chickened-out of the meeting I proposed which was to discuss the TW issue. And chickened-out of presenting me with his "evidence" which it appears was verbal and only on tape. I think Foggit is a good name what's wrong with it?

DED.
-

Akebono

Yes - if the seats are sustainable then if we can push forward, but then if Tomy Wise continues to be a member of UKIP this is most difficult.
I ( wife ) suggest the following -

1.) Continue with Nigel Farage - he is a man in power and knows the intricate workings of the European Parliament.

2.) Keep in the IDC Group.

3.) Continue to improve the online services of what is happening to UKIP - the website at UKIP.org is improving all the time and this helps us garner new members.

4.) Alex McKee is well respected and should be employed.

5.) Network with journalists to make sure that the EU and its poor management is exposed.

6.) Policies such as the Smoking Ban should be upheld and lower taxes are better.

7.) Retain the yellow and purple banner as people from the 2004 election remember it vividly.

8.) The American guy who helped Knapman should be kept on contract as long as he is able to keep UKIP in the public eye - his name is Dick __________

9.) Don't be afraid to take the whip from MEPs who do not deliver.

10.) Sack Denny.