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Breaking UKIP's single-issue image
The English Parliament policy may help to demonstrate that UKIP does indeed have a relevant domestic focus in addition to its anti-EU and anti-immigration stances. Thrown in with a policy of binding local referenda, UKIP could become a Party of true devolution and people power.
It's that time of year again: Conference season is approaching. I'll be in Eastbourne with UKIP at what could be a extremely eventful few days.
It never fails to amaze me how many right-wing activists essentially agree with UKIP's libertarian-leaning ethos yet refuse to vote for, let alone actively support, the Party in favour of the Conservatives.
Having spoken to many people of this persuasion (some of whom, I suspect, will be reading this!), my conclusion is that this is due largely to the fact that while UKIP is seen as relevant and sound on the subject of the European Union, it is yet to be viewed by some as a fully-fledged political party with a full raft of relevant policies.
This, to a degree, represents an internal split as well. Many who joined UKIP joined back in the early Nineties when the singular focus was EU membership. A Party that was founded around one real focus is sure to experience growing pains as increasing numbers of younger members join and focus on the broader spectrum of UKIP's broadly libertarian philosophy.
And that is exactly what's happening. Whether you talk about flat tax, proper border controls, grammar schools or prison expansion, most right-wingers would have trouble arguing with much of what UKIP espouses on the domestic front. The problem of course lies in projecting such policies.
The media are not particularly interested in giving coverage to the Party's intentions on tax or jobs, but instead view UKIP as being exclusively relevant on the subject of the EU and sometimes immigration.
The trick, therefore, is to break through with a headline-grabbing domestic policy that forces sympathisers and media editors alike to question their own perception of UKIP as a single-issue party. This kind of happened with the ban the burka policy which caused considerable discontent amongst some activists in the Party but was actually very popular on the ground with voters I spoke to.
What is more, this can be achieved if, for example, UKIP came out for drug legalisation or for the restoration of the death penalty. But the rumours are that the Party may adopt an English Parliament policy which would tick all the boxes and I suspect be very popular. Though again, there has already been some resistance to this idea within UKIP.
The fact is that nobody has come up with a fair minded deal for English taxpayers, who via the Barnett Formula get screwed royally while prescription charges and University tuition fees in Scotland are subsidised to incredible levels compared with England. Devolution has left everyone in the UK -- save of course the English -- with more representation. Moreover, the likes of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly are not going anywhere, like it or not.
I hope then that this policy will cut through and demonstrate that UKIP does have a relevant domestic focus; an alternative mode of governance. Thrown in with a policy of binding local referenda, UKIP could become a Party of true devolution and people power that seeks to emulate the Swiss beyond their independence of the EU.
Michael Heaver is a UKIP activist and blogger. He tweets at @Michael_Heaver
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UKIP is either ignored or ridiculed on TV. Farage was extremely unlucky with his air accident on 051010, as otherwise he'd have raised the party's profile by standing against Bercow. The real trouble is the perception that a vote for UKIP is wasted, although the dissatisfaction that I hear expressed against the Conservative government may result in more votes in future. Finally, an English Parliament is just another expensive & pointless talking shop, especially if 80% of laws are made in Brussels.
I really hope that UKIP adopts a pro-devolution policy at conference. Devolution is supported by the majority in all four of the home nations and UKIP loses votes from opposing it. An English Parliament wouldn't mean more politicians, just different politicians and if we adopted Chris Gill's proposals for an English Parliament which included reform of the House of Lords, could result in cost savings of almost half a billion a year.
I used to be opposed to the idea of an English Parliament, but I was pointed in the direction of the Campaign for an English Parliament, and asked to approach with an open mind. Fortunately, I am open-minded, and I now believe in the idea. Please do yourself a favour, and visit www.thecep.org.uk
Read the CEP's site, and it will address oncerns including the one over the numbers of politicians involved (it would actually mean a reduction in snouts at the trough, which is why the establishment don't fancy it). If I can be open-minded about this, anyone can.
I must apologise for my spelling in the first post, I'm so embarrassed by it. My point is it would not matter what politicians there are in an English Parliament, given that a substantial amount of our laws are made elsewhere it would be as impotent as the present UK one so what is the point?
The point of the matter is that we are at a disadvantage to the rest of the United Kingdom. Its a sense of fairness, equality and justice. As for being yes-men and impotent well like whats been said already,isnt the British parliament impotent, however I actually disagree because enough laws are passed and enacted through it and its naive & ignorant to suggest always at the behest of Brussels. Maybe if we had a devolved parliament for England comparable to the other constituent nations of the United Kingdom we too in England would enjoy free tuition fees, fee prescriptions etc so maybe here is another idea lets adopt a devoved English Parliament and dissolve the Westminter British one then that way everyones equal and everyones happy. Do we really need duplicity in representation ie Scottish, Irish & Welsh MPs yet low and behold Scottish MSPs, Welsh AMs and Northern Irish MLAs but no English legislative counterpart just MPs? I say NO as we are accountable to Brussels anyway so why cant we just have the devolved national parliaments reporting to Brussels without the need of the so-called impotent and pointless British parliament. Better still why doesnt England secede from both the EU and Britain, keep our own money, set up our own legislative institution and government and rule ourselves without outside interference from Brussels or Edinburgh. England has no longer got an empire I accept that nor will she be part of a greater Scottish or European one.
It doesn't matter what policies UKIP has. It is a meal ticket for Farage & The Chancers.
How does an English Parliament square with your existing policy (of which I'm strongly in favour) of abolishing the post of MSP and populating the Scottish Parliament with MPs, making it effectively a Grand Committee of Westminster with legislative powers? Would the proposed EP be organised along similar lines (which seems sensible, avoiding the expense of setting up a new body), or... what?
I disagree with the reasoning that the main problem with UKIP was their domestic policies, I'd say their main problem was their association with racism. Although their public face is very against this (even choosing 5 non-white candidates) behind the scenes it is very different. Just read some of the stories from disaffected people behind the scenes - some have said "all that was missing was white sheets and a burning cross".
Never just take what people say at face value, always look behind the scenes to their actual thoughts. That is why people vote conservative - much less of a scary organisation.
James et al - the real problem with any party that wishes to rain on the present parade, is that is will be immediately tarnished with the epithet 'racist'; which is a quick way of shutting them up and painting them a 'nasty party'. That way, devolution for England (which is essential if we are to hold onto even the little bit that is left of our democracy)can be quickly discounted and the gravy train just keeps chuffing on ... on for the Scots, the Welsh, the Northern Irish and of course the EU - all of which would be probably much better off without it. And I know England certainly would.
If UKIP is a single issue party, then the Lib/Lab/Con are all no issue parties, as they are content to have their policy dictated by Brussels.
The times they are a changing
Come all the electorate throughout the UK It’s time to ignore what the LIBLABCON say Lets face it these parties have all had their day Our politics need rearranging So go out and vote UKIP lets sweep them away For the times they are a changing
Not one of them listens to our point of view They’d sooner give our cash to the EU So lets kick them out and try something new We can’t afford this lot remaining Political rethink is long overdue For the times they are a changing
They lied about Lisbon and promised a vote There all Europhiles and in the same boat Their treachery just bring a lump to my throat As each other they just keep blaming So send them a message and let them take note That the times they are a changing
We will no longer tolerate lies being told Tax breaks for the rich but more tax for the old Ruled from the EU and our birthrights sold They ignore us when we are complaining If we all vote UKIP there out in the cold For the times they all need changing
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Good article but my personal view of an English parliament is not favourable, as has been stated many times amny of our laws are made soemwhere else so I don't see how another layer of goverment will help this in anyway. Secondly an English parliament will invariably be full of nodding yes men in suits fleecing money from the hard working tax payer.
So if you are looking for a radical policy this (IMO) isn't it. Legalisation of drugs I do have some sympathy with though.