News: Bournemouth Echo: "Let them take drugs, says Ukip quest speaker"

SponPlague · 06-09-2008, 12:26 PM

They've covered the conference after day 1:

Let Them Take Drugs Says Ukip Quest Speaker (from Bournemouth Echo)

Quote:

Let them take drugs, says Ukip quest speaker
By Melanie Vass
Comment | Read Comments (4)

John Whittaker, during the speech. All pictures Corin Messer.

James Whale speaks
THE UK Independence Party's Bournemouth conference kicked off yesterday with a controversial call to legalise all drugs.

The provocative statement was made by guest speaker James Whale and left many party delegates "stunned and appalled".

Party representatives were quick to stress that the former TalkSport presenter's views are not official party policy.

But they also insist they are "not afraid" to debate big issues that other parties shy away from.

Mr Whale, who was fired from his late-night radio phone-in show when he urged listeners to vote for Boris Johnson in the mayoral elections, also suggested Britain should join the Euro.

Gawain Taylor, Ukip's prospective parliamentary candidate for North Dorset, said: "I think James Whale managed to upset every single person in the room, for different reasons.

"He called for complete legalisation of all drugs but suggested they should be licensed and regulated.

"He said he didn't want to see people jacking up in public, just like he doesn't want to see people drinking in public, but he doesn't feel drugs should be banned.

"We don't support that line but, as he made clear, he doesn't support any political party.

"He wasn't representing the party."

When asked whether he felt Mr Whale had damaged Ukip's reputation, he said: "Of course not.

"I think why not raise the debate?' "His position is that the bans and prohibitions don't seem to work, that there are more people taking heroin than ever before and that maybe if it was legalised, it would be less invasive to society.

"From Ukip's perspective, we don't go along with that - but it's an issue that should be raised and debated and we are not afraid of that.

"There were people in the hall who applauded that statement, others looked absolutely appalled.

"He was interesting and provocative but that's what he does. We're not afraid of that."

gawain · 06-09-2008, 01:41 PM

It would be nice if they could spell my name right, they did two days earlier - bu that time they claimed I was an MEP rather than a Prospective adidate.

Jim Smith · 06-09-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SponPlague

They've covered the conference after day 1:

Let Them Take Drugs Says Ukip Quest Speaker (from Bournemouth Echo)

Another example of the "car crash tv" show that UKIP has become.

But what did UKIP expect? Whale's views are well known to his listeners.

gc · 06-09-2008, 02:01 PM

It is like watching a car crash - tragic, but compulsive viewing.

Who invited him to speak?

Aardvark · 06-09-2008, 02:12 PM

gawain, Type in haste, repent at leisure. Check your 2 typos!!!

Aardvark · 06-09-2008, 02:17 PM

It's actually very good publicity as it shows that UKIP isn't afraid to have controversial speakers with whom it disagrees.

The drugs issue will never go away with a straight policy of banning. I can source, within a few hours, any drug I like through people I know of in my town. I did shop the top dealer who was targetting my daughter and her friends. He should be out by now

UKIP would make no enemies with a well thought out strategy on the subject.

claire stone · 06-09-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

Another example of the "car crash tv" show that UKIP has become.

But what did UKIP expect? Whale's views are well known to his listeners.

And some people were hoping that he would join UKIP in time for the Euro's if not for the London Mayoral race! Thank God that it didn't happen.

Anthony Butcher · 06-09-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claire stone

And some people were hoping that he would join UKIP in time for the Euro's if not for the London Mayoral race! Thank God that it didn't happen.

They weren't just hoping that he would join UKIP, he was actually announced by Farage as UKIP's mayoral candidate in October 2006:
James Whale

Quote:

Evening Standard - 24th October 2006

The outspoken TalkSport broadcaster will challenge Ken Livingstone for the capital's top job in 2008 as the UK Independence Party candidate.

He promised that if he won the election he would scrap the congestion charge, get rid of "appalling parking Gestapo officers" and recruit advisers ranging from Peter Stringfellow to Lord Archer. "I think what Ken Livingstone has done to the people and image of the capital is unforgivable" he said. "Under me, there wouldn't be the waste of money that there is under him. I would liberate the people of London from unfair taxes and continous intrusion in their daily lives."

UKIP Leader Nigel Farage said Whale "not only has guts, but an understanding of what real people think." But the DJ may have trouble persuading Londoners that he is serious - he has no experience in politics, having spent his career as a "shock jock" radio and TV presenter.

Do you not remember this almighty ****-up?

Hence it is a bit much for UKIP to attempt to distance themselves so quickly

I thought that Farage stated on Question Time once that he was broadly in favour of full legalisation anyway?

Niall Warry · 06-09-2008, 05:06 PM

I as ever simply want to know what the devil, UKIPs opinion on a drugs policy, has to do with leaving the EU.

Or is UKIPs policy that we should all get so 'high' that it doesn't matter what the EU does

HM · 06-09-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.N.Warry

I as ever simply want to know what the devil, UKIPs opinion on a drugs policy, has to do with leaving the EU.

You seem to be under the impression that UKIP is a one-issue party...

06-09-2008, 02:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
Aardvark Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oxonia Posts: 4,255	gawain, Type in haste, repent at leisure. Check your 2 typos!!! __________________ 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

06-09-2008, 02:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
Aardvark Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oxonia Posts: 4,255	It's actually very good publicity as it shows that UKIP isn't afraid to have controversial speakers with whom it disagrees. The drugs issue will never go away with a straight policy of banning. I can source, within a few hours, any drug I like through people I know of in my town. I did shop the top dealer who was targetting my daughter and her friends. He should be out by now UKIP would make no enemies with a well thought out strategy on the subject. __________________ 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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06-09-2008, 01:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
gawain Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 279	It would be nice if they could spell my name right, they did two days earlier - bu that time they claimed I was an MEP rather than a Prospective adidate.

06-09-2008, 02:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
gc Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 605	It is like watching a car crash - tragic, but compulsive viewing. Who invited him to speak?

06-09-2008, 05:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
Niall Warry Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Somerset Posts: 1,676	I as ever simply want to know what the devil, UKIPs opinion on a drugs policy, has to do with leaving the EU. Or is UKIPs policy that we should all get so 'high' that it doesn't matter what the EU does