SponPlague

Dear all, I have today discovered that UKIP members resident abroad have been disenfranchised from the MEP ranking elections being discussed with such fervour here.

I find this unacceptable, and have consequently resigned the party with immediate effect.

Raymond Finch

What a shame.

Has this changed from the previous selection process?

SponPlague

No idea. Last time (or was it the time before) I was a candidate in Scotland! And S/E the time before that...

Barboo

Spon, what are the circumstances exactly? If you still have an address in this country, even though currently living abroad, I can't see any justification for denying you a vote. If you're wholly resident abroad and have no UK address, then for which region's candidates did you expect to be able to vote?

SponPlague

I am a director of a S/E region limited company.

I would expect to be able to vote for either the last region I was resident in - S/E, or be asked which region I wished association with - I could yet return before the 2009 elections, for work reasons, or during the MEPs period of office. I have also assisted with London region, and campaigned/ leafletted in Haltemprice.

There should at least have been some sort of consultation process with us overseas bods...

This was the straw that broke the camel's back.

stathan

Not sure that I entirely agree with that, I don't think that you can have overseas members choosing at a whim where they wish to vote.

The business ownership or last region lived in holds a touch more water and what harm could a bit of consultation have done?


I suppose that it could also be argued that if you live abroad (other than workers or service personnel still having a UK home) why should you have a vote on regional issue in a region where you do not reside?

SponPlague

How do they know I'm not abroad temporarily, for say 1 year? The suggestion I could "pick" a region was one possibility raised by Piers Merchant, the Returning Officer - along with where I last lived.

I can get a postal vote based on my last constituency, or register at my parent's address, so i don't see why UKIP should be any different. And our new web slogan's going to be "Freedom to Choose", I believe...

gc

I am in the same position.

But I stay in the party because I really do hope for some improvement in the future. Remember - we are still a relatively young party.

Knowing what you have put into the party, particularly at election times, I would say that this is a real blow to us.

I also remember you getting stroppy with the Tories at a count in Guildford, which was priceless to witness!

If many more of us walk, who will be left? Just the Tory carpetbaggers who failed in their old party and so swamped ours after we showed them how to do it in 2004.

Tis a great pity....

Resigned Member

A massive blow to UKIP. One of the party's oldest most hardworking and also financially generous members.
I know he has had great doubts whether Nigel Farage would ever be a good leader-note not a good speaker cum saloon bar mate-but he loyally supported the party despite his misgaivings.
A fish rots from the head down and the fact is that F who has been the driving force for the last 8 years is slipshod disloyal egocentric financially dodgy and of course scandal-prone.Well he probably could organize a party in a brewery but thats the only sort of party he will ever organize.

Barboo

Right, so who's told you that you can't vote? If the RO has suggested a solution, and if you'll be able to get a postal vote for the Euros themselves, who is stopping you from voting in the selection process, and why? Or is your objection a principled one, that non-resident members shouldn't have to jump through hoops to get what is other members' by right? If so, I can see your point. The party shouldn't be taking full membership subscriptions off people and then denying them some of the benefits. I'm just not clear who is responsible. The party constitution makes no mention of members who are non-resident UK citizens, so is there something in the rule book? What does the rule say?