E-NEWSLETTER

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the first edition of the UKIPwatch e-newsletter. After the election of 12 UKIP MEPs to the European Parliament last June, we want to keep you up to date with their activities – and lack of - in Brussels, Strasbourg and beyond!

Since arriving in Parliament, we've seen UKIP face internal squabbles, almost universal distrust, predictably shocking behaviour in and outside Parliament, and departures from their ranks. And, still we see a lot more of them outside of the Parliament than inside. Should we really be surprised?

In this newsletter:

Europe's political leaders united in attacking UKIP leader in the EP, Nigel Farage

12 members down to 10

In the European Parliament – a new definition of work? Or, just plain lazy?

On the Constitution

Money, money, money

Crazy Comments

The BNP Connection

But do they back Britain?

EUROPE'S POLITICAL LEADERS ATTACK FARAGE

UKIP leader in the European Parliament Nigel Farage was openly and publicly attacked by the leaders of almost all the Parliament’s political groups, from Conservatives to Communists, during the plenary session in Strasbourg in November. Leader of the Liberal Group, Graham Watson, compared Farage to a football hooligan.

12 MEMBERS DOWN TO 10

UKIP now have less MEPs in their ranks than in June. Ashley Mote is out. UKIP withdrew the whip from Mote - who faces criminal charges for housing benefit fraud. Mote sits on the Budgetary Control Committee and campaigned against corruption in Brussels!

And of course, Kilroy-Silk is out too. He joined the party, even though he didn't know how to pronounce its name! He won a seat in the East Midlands, claimed that UKIP will be present in Brussels and Strasbourg when it is "important and necessary", and then focused his attention on taking over the leadership of UKIP. Well, he had to get his priorities right.

UKIP leader, Roger Knapman fought back, with a poll of the UKIP chairs across the country, who endorsed his leadership.

After an unnecessary outburst during the plenary session at Strasbourg in October (resulting in one of Parliament’s group leaders suggesting that Kilroy Silk could be provided with tranquilisers), Kilroy-Silk withdrew from the party whip. However, he is still, apparently, intent on taking over the leadership. Since withdrawal from the UKIP whip, he is reported to be touring UKIP branches, hoping to start the process of ousting Knapman.

IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

In Parliament, UKIP’s MEPs have so far failed to make the big impact they promised. They consistently fail to turn up to committee meetings. The five most important Commissioners, for example, were cross-examined during a meeting of Parliament’s Budgetary Control Committee but again UKIP failed to stay and listen. Also, since the June elections UKIP members have not voted on a single legislative or other report in a single parliamentary committee!

And even during UK Commissioner Mandelson's confirmation hearing, Nigel Farage did not manage to cause a great upset. Mandelson simply reminded Farage that the definition of a sceptic was a person who is "open to persuasion."

ON THE CONSTITUTION

In an interview for the BBC, Roger Knapman said: "We should most emphatically not sign this Constitution." There's a surprise! At least he's honest when he says that: "The very name of our party gives a clue to our objections to the European constitution...."

On the other hand, Kilroy-Silk admitted he hadn't read the entire document and that he had more important things to do than spend his time reading about such a "boring subject".

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

On an apparently less boring subject for UKIP, Paul Sykes withdrew his funding of the party as a result of it committing itself to put candidates up against Tories who are against the Constitution, at their annual conference. However, don't worry, UKIP will not self destruct yet - Kent millionaire, Alan Bown, has undertaken to make up the shortfall in funds.

CRAZY COMMENTS

Deputy leader, Michael Nattrass, MEP for the West Midlands, stunned an audience at a conference in Cardiff by claiming that Britons, like Chechen rebels, might have to fight their way out of Europe. His comments came just weeks after hundreds of children were killed and hundreds more injured when Chechen rebels were besieged in a school in Beslan, southern Russia.

And then Tom Wise described MEDIA, the EU funded programme that promotes European film production, as propaganda, the like of which Goebbels would have been proud.

And Godfrey Bloom, on being appointed to the Women's Committee famously said: "No self-respecting small businessman with a brain in the right place would ever employ a lady of child-bearing age."

This edition’s crazy comment award, however, really must go to the Chair of Wells and Weston Super Mare UKIP branch, Steve Reed, who said, "Taking energy from winds and tides irreversibly enervates the weather system and slows the rotation of the Earth".

THE BNP CONNECTION

UKIP claims on its website that "In order to protect the party from infiltration by extremists... all prospective parliamentary candidates and constituency office bearers must sign declarations confirming that they have no criminal record, no record of serious mental illness and no previous association with extremist political groups of right or left."

However, there are numerous examples of UKIP members, some of them in high up positions, who have had previous associations with the BNP. Even Nigel Farage has admitted to meeting BNP officials.

BUT DO THEY BACK BRITAIN?

The short answer is no! In August this year, UKIP announced that they would be supporting the Paris bid for the 2012 Olympics!

UKIP are obviously confused when it comes to Europe!

OVER TO YOU...

We need your stories! We will be very happy to receive your articles and anecdotes about UKIP in your area.

Send stories and comments to: info@ukipwatch.org