Question: Should UKIP candidates, and officials, post without restraint on this forum?

[douglas denny]

Originally Posted by chikrodah

It looks like those who assume senior UKIPpers think twice (and thus should be allowed to post whatever they want) and those who wish they'd think twice more are in the majority.

I think both those options should be together, not separated. They are symbiotic.

DED.
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[Bob FM]

Sorry I haven't been here, been out all day doing radio, newspaper and National television stuff promoting the party amongst other things. Doing the same tomorrow.

[douglas denny]

[quote=SponPlague;532660]I am not saying that people shouldn't be allowed to post, Doug - I voted think twice. But not everyone agrees with you. I have, in the past, had libel lawyers from Olswang, on behalf of 3 NEC members, discuss public postings I made - and I defended free speech.

If certain PPCs wish to become the laughing stock of the internet, I have no objection - but if other PPCs find it damaging their cause, hypothetically, do they have right to object?[/quote]


Of course they do if they personally are affected - but those affected in your hypothetical case should take their complaint to the source. It is not for others to make any definitive judgements or have powers of censorship.

It would have to be demonstrated that some form of damage was being done however; not an easy thing to demonstrate, and less easy to prove.

DED.
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[SponPlague]

Good-oh! It's always good to remember there's more to life than democracyforum

[Niall Warry]

Originally Posted by Bob FM

Sorry I haven't been here, been out all day doing radio, newspaper and National television stuff promoting the party amongst other things. Doing the same tomorrow.

I hope you are not dissapointed when you realise you are promoting a horse's ****!!

[SponPlague]

Can I find you on the news part of the BBC website, Bob?

[gc]

Originally Posted by Bob FM

Sorry I haven't been here, been out all day doing radio, newspaper and National television stuff promoting the party amongst other things. Doing the same tomorrow.

What were you doing?

How did you get it?

You get a lot of criticism on this forum, Bob, some of it from me. But you can redeem yourself tout suite if you you can share with us what you are doing to get media attention...

What works for one doesn't always work for all, but every bit of experience is valuble and should be shared...

[Bob FM]

It's really quite simple, it's about addressing issues that not only impact on local people and business but affects people Nationally. In this specific case I refer to the Empty Building Tax, which came into force in April this year. It is big news in regions that are subject to regeneration projects as Swindon is, it also is a huge issue for those who buy to let, pub companies, and frankly anyone who owns commercial property. The way it impacts on the ordinary rate payer is where buildings are owned by Local Authorities and are empty and are earmarked for development. The only way to avoid paying Non Domestic Rates is to pull them down, which Swindon Council have done. This saves them several hundred thousand a year on rates.

The British Property Federation are leading a campaign supported by most business organisations and pub industry groups to get Labour to introduce a clause, they (Labour) inserted at the outset, which allows a re-instatement of 50% relief, in an economic downturn. What is so stupid about this is that the down turn came before the act was introduced, therefore they needn't have even introduced the Act in it's current form which means after 3 months empty commercial buildings have to pay full rates.

I contacted the BPF, and invited them to Swindon. The media jumped at the chance to 'Bash' Labour over this. The BPF are remaining politically neutral. Needless to say we have an added dimension in Swindon that we have two Labour MP's and a Tory controlled council. I anticipated that inviting both sides to the press conference it would be quite lively, as it was. The Labour Councillor accusing the Tory Lead Councillor for finance of playing politics with the regeneration and damaging Swindon's prospects. The Tory in turn stated he had been asked his views as to whether SBC had pulled down buildings to save rates and he told the truth they had. I intervened that the Tories had in no way instigated this. I pointed out I invited the parties present.

We then went off and did some filming, which is what we are doing again today.

As for redeeming myself, I have nothing to redeem myself for. I work for the party in my region and my local branch, I answer to my local members first who elected me almost unanimously with just one against, even the previous Chairman voluntarily stood aside and voted for me. He is now my Deputy Chairman and we work very well together.

I will continue to work for the party, if there are those on here who wish to continually have pops at my grammar, spelling, punctuation etc, them let them continue. I happen to know from outside non posting observers, it is they who are held in contempt by members outside of this forum, not me.

Finally I note the majority have voted for total freedom on this forum, and a combined 82%, also some with a caveat. At least the silent majority have spoken, sense usually prevails when people can vote without fear of ridicule.

[SponPlague]

Pedantically Bob, since total freedom, is 47%, currently, then the majority of voters voted for some form of self control...

[Niall Warry]

Back to the thread.

To add to my previous entry we should not try and hide the worth of our candidates and officials by keeping them 'off air'. We should not con the public into believing we are something we are not.