What is it with Norfolk political candidates ?

After Manish Sood, the Labour candidate described his own party leader (Gordon Brown) as the "worst Prime Minister in history", and another Norfolk based candidate who was standing in Cambridgeshire South East was stripped of his official candidacy because of lewd details being published about his private life, you'd imagine that  we might have had our fill of candidates putting their foot in in in Norfolk. But it appears not.

This morning local news media are reporting that the UKIP candidate for Norwich North, Glenn Tingle, has issued an apology for writing that we should blow up Iran and for denigrating people in Afghanistan.

One to read ... Day 1

I will, thoughout the general election campaign be trying to link daily to one story about the election from a blog you may have missed.

So for Day 1, can I recommend local Norwich based UKIPer Michael Heaver who tells us five seats we need to watch out for UKIP in.

UKIP and racism

Tory blogger Ellee Seymour has an interesting story about a UKIP poster in Cambridge that has been defaced, which bring to mind the contradictions that UKIP is.

I blogged last year about the UKIP leaflets in the Norwich North by-elections and the fact that, to my mind, they bordered on being the sort of leaflets the BNP would be proud to deliver. The only problem is that whenever I have met UKIP people they are a long way from being racists. Most UKIP people I have met are actually pretty decent people who are polite, thoughtful (unlike the Tory who swore at me at the Broadland Council meeting this week), and genuinely in politics for the best of reasons.

So it does beg the question why their leadership nationally persist in trying to out do the BNP. UKIP needs to become more than a protest vote and if they are to be taken seriously, they need more policies than just immirgation and Europe.

UKIP Freepost in Norwich North

We received out UKIP Freepost leaflet for the Norwich North by-election yesterday. I've been busy (working) and travelling to Fakenham (my old council ward) to get my computer fixed so have been rather busy. So the person (brave soul, posts anonymously) who keeps implying I am holding back in UKIP leaflets ought to perhaps get a job, a family and a busy life before criticising my lack of time to post every leaflet up to this site immediately.

Both my wife and I received the same leaflet so it must be assumed that UKIP will have only one Freepost. An opportunity wasted.

For the benefit of UKIP voters

A rather laughable story is being reported by the BBC. Apparently UKIP have got the electoral commission to ask polling staff to stop folding ballot papers because it seems UKIP voters are so stupid they cannot work out that there is more than one fold, and are unable to undo both folds of the ballot paper, thus ensuring they cannot find UKIP on the ballot paper.

So for the benefit of UKIP supporters

Arse


Elbow

What I found laughable was that UKIP are claiming that "literally hundreds of people had contacted them" about this. So hundreds of people were able to get home, look up the UKIP phone number and moan, but those same hundreds were unable to undo a folded piece of paper.

North Norfolk Tories endorsing UKIP ?

It has been an odd quirk of North Norfolk Tories that they have, for many years, attempted to deceive the electorate each and every local election by failing to put candidates up against certain "independents", who in return join the Conservative group immediately after the election and take the Tory whip. Of course, it does not just happen in North Norfolk. Here in Broadland too the Tories do similar things too. But in North Norfolk it seems that the Tories have now lost control of their group discipline so much that one of their members, Mike Baker, who I could possibly describe in many ways, but the nicest thing I could say would be that he is a colourful character, a man elected at various times as a Conservative, an independent, and who sits at present as part of the Tory group whilst supposedly remaining an independent (work that out ?), is standing in the County Elections as a UKIP candidate.

So what are the Tories doing about this in North Norfolk ?

There is a good chance that with him standing as a UKIP candidate in a Tory held division, the same division in which he is a District Councillor for about 50% of the electorate, he could possibly lose the Tories the seat. What is more interesting is that the Tory County Councillor for this division is also a member of the Tory District Council group and sits alongside Cllr Mike Baker.

Now I have been told by people inside the Tories in North Norfolk that it does cause some disquiet that they accept people not elected as Tories in to their council group, and even when the standards board found Cllr Mike Baker guilty of breaking rules and suspended him for several months the Tory group still welcomed him back with open arms. This is in sharp contrast to the line the Lib Dem group took when they threw out from their group a councillor elected as a Lib Dem who was also found guilty by the standards board.

It certainly seems very odd and does not point to North Norfolk Tories being very united. From a Lib Dem point of view though, it is all very amusing.

So is Cllr Baker now UKIP and not an independent ? Can he remain in the Tory group whilst standing against them ? Have the Tories got the backbone to do anything ? If they don't do anything it appears that the Tories might be officially endorsing UKIP in North Norfolk.

Why was the UKIP Party Election Broadcast made for school children ?

My wife said to me as the UKIP election broadcast was being broadcast, "Why is the voice over sounding like it is being broadcast as a programme for school children ?".

A good point, and after rewinding it on Sky+, I couldn't help but agree. A slow deliberate slightly condescending voice over with some rather amateurish graphics spoke as if the person watching is a little bit thick. Explaining rather simple facts slowly, like someone was explaining to their grandmother how to use digital TV for the first time.

Rather bizarrely and in complete contrast, Nigel Farage, the UKIP leader, appeared to be entering a competition to see who could say the most words in 30 seconds, such was his hurried delivery.

Now I know UKIP are not as well off as other parties, but with such a simple message to sell and one that ought to appeal to so many people (including me to some extent), they could have done better.

Man elected as UKIP MEP is arrested

Couldn't have happened to a more deserving fellow. Talk about crooks on the gravy train. Let's hope the electorate see these people elected as UKIP for what it really is.

Why are the UKIP "patriots" so unpatriotic when it comes to the Royal Family ?

UKIP seem to have shot themselves in the foot (again) today by refusing to stand at the end of Prince Charles speech to British MEPs in Brussels.

Apparently UKIP's refusal to stand was because the Prince was apparently advocating a widening of EU powers. UKIP missed that he was making this important point in order to protect the environment, but hey, to hell with the environment, UKIP care little for that.

So get your election leaflets printed now to fight UKIP next year

I see the slogans now "Remember, UKIP were the only British political party who refused to stand up and applaud Prince Charles at the end of his speech and they don't care about the environment."

Update : Given that Galloway's "Respect" is falling apart, perhaps UKIP cold become "Lack or Respect".

Nigel Farage "David (Cameron), come and speak to us"

Nigel Farage this morning hinted clearly that UKIP would be prepared to speak to the Tories about a deal in certain seats if the Tories spoke to them about a referendum on the EU constitution and possibly, and let me stress that "possibly" on the future of the UK's membership of the EU.

This is interesteding in that it says that UKIP might be prepared to do a deal. However, it might show also that UKIP are broke and have few candidates selected.

Take your pick of the reasons why.

Ex UKIP MEP claimed to be fighting EU fraud, but happy to defraud the UK tax payer

Ashley Mote, elected as a UKIP MEP just three years ago has been found guilty of fraud.

In this case UKIP took decisive action to ensure he was no part of their party, but after other UKIP MEP's problems involving fraud, it would make anyone wonder why electing a UKIP MEP serves any purpose at all.

Cock up by UKIP ?

Perhaps given the fact that UKIP have arranged to have their conference this year at the same venue as a group of Fetishists, so the Tory West Brom blog tells us, the phrase "Cock Up" might not be appropriate.

At least the UKIP'ers will have something to get hot under the collar about instead of the Pan-European conspiracy to make us all drink litres instead of pints !!!!

P.S. Yes, before anyone asks, I did a "photoshop" job on the picture. I'd rather admit to that than have anyone suggest I photograph Nigel Farage dressed in leather, which I am sure he never ever does.

Another councillor defects from the Tories

Cllr Mike Baker, a Conservative Party member and a District Councillor with something of a complicated political affiliation, has defected to UKIP.

Sitting as a Councillor on North Norfolk District Council for the Town of Holt, Cllr Baker has stood at various times as a Conservative, and in bad years for the Tories as an independent, but on each occasion he has stood as an independent, he has subsequently affiliated himself with the Tory group on the council, his seat counts as a Tory seat for committee places and he is, according to the Eastern Daily Press, a card carrying Tory.

Some loss to the Tories then ?

Er, No.

Councillor Baker has something of a chequered history in North Norfolk. His dealings with fellow councillors has, in my experience on the council, been one which does little to endear him. Indeed, in private some of the harshest comments I heard about Councillor Baker came from Conservative councillors who had, in my opinion, little time for his manners or attitude.

In recent years Councillor Baker has sat a twelve month suspension imposed by the Standards Board who gave this strong sanction because of ignoring advice from officers and breaking rules at a planning meeting that was dealing with an application from one of his own businesses. It's more complicated than that, but it certainly gave a bad impression.

So there will be many Tories in North Norfolk who will, in my opinion, be pleased to see the back of him from their party.

There is though one downside for the Tories. The fact that a councillor has left their group and their party after what were pretty awful election results for them in North Norfolk this year further emphasises the dominance the Liberal Democrats now have in North Norfolk politics and is a blow to the Tories chance of any revival. In 2003 their council group stood at 16 councillors with 28 Liberal Democrats. Now, they again have 16 councillors with the Liberal Democrats on 30 councillors. If they cannot even retain members of their group, then they have real problems.

A good reason to vote Ukip ?

More nepotism in French politics, more corruption in French politics and also a former senior EU official involved too, so reports say (see below).

I'm well known in the Lib Dems locally for my outspoken Euro scepticism (showing you can be Euro sceptic and Lib Dem), but I'm sure people reading THIS story would consider Ukip, although I wouldn't.

Its too easy to attack UKIP, but what are the facts ?

With UKIP not "selecting" a disabled candidate, it has been easy for people to label them as picking on a poor disabled person. However, looking at UKIP home, it appears there is more to the story.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding this, but to my mind it appears the disabled chap in question made threats to go to the press "if" UKIP stood a candidate against his daughter, who appears to be a councillor for another party. Perhaps I have got the wrong end of the stick and the guy in question has not made any "threats" at all, and if so, I apologise.

I would recommend everyone read the link above and see what you make of it. It certainly seems to be a more complicated story than the one the press have been reporting.

Tom Wise, East of England UKIP MEP in hot water ?

With thanks to Dizzy for this and UKIP watch, it appears that another UKIP MEP is in hot water. This time it is one of my own East of England MEP's, Tom Wise.

Since the last Euro elections they have had problems with their MEP's. Kilroy left UKIP, founded a new party then left that one. Another UKIP MEP left the party, and now sits with a group of fascist parties in the European Parliament and now we have the problems with Tom Wise.

How this will affect UKIP support in the East of England remains unsure. The local TV news will, as ever, be largely ignorant of this whilst some UKIP supporters probably won't care and will assume it is an EU conspiracy.

Another Conservative Peer defects to UKIP

Another Conservative Peer, and a former Tory parliamentary candidate has defected to UKIP. The BBC reports on it HERE.

There must come a point when they will all have to form an orderly queue, such is clamour amongst once strongly Conservative peers to join the ranks of UKIP.

Lord Dartmouth said that he was "very disappointed" with David Cameron's leadership.
"He has become a slave to political correctness,"

"His chosen themes are things like hug a hoodie and green taxes - all of which are of very little concern to people outside the Notting Hill Gate and Westminster villages."

Earlier this month Conservative peers Lord Pearson and Lord Willoughby de Broke announced they were switching to UKIP.

No doubt another defection to be largely ignored and written off by Tory bloggers. Let me guess, a "non event", "never heard of him", and "five minutes of fame" are phrases that the Tories will use to dismiss this latest defection, but coming on top of two Tory councillors leaving the party this week and a rash of defections, we are seeing the end of Dave's honeymoon period really starting.

Reports of UKIP demise have been greatly exaggerated

Just ten days after writing, in my opinion, that the writing was on the wall for a slow demise of UKIP, they have gone and surprised me (and hopefully a few others) by showing that they still have some purpose in the politics of the UK.

I wrote before about the loss of party members in different parts of the country, but since then they've gained two previously Tory Lords, gained a notable Tory advisor and now two major Tory donors have said they may vote UKIP because of David Cameron's policies towards Europe.

In my view, this does not show that UKIP are set for any great revival, but highlights that they still have a role to play in being a major thorn in the side of the Tory Party. Should UKIP get some major backers, they could, I stress could, deny the Tories a handful of seats and cost the Tories an overall majority or allow Labour back in.

Personally, and everyone knows I am no fan of "Dave", but I think he needs to have the nerve and bottle to ignore the right wing Euros sceptics. Europe is an issue that bother some people, but affects few votes in real elections. Indeed, in my experience, it turns people off voting and politicians. It is surely no mistake that UKIP have slipped in the polls and the Tories been on a steady rise since Europe was not being talked about. UKIP remain a fringe party, with a single issue (I know they have a full policy agenda, but can UKIP members name more than one of their policies ?), and whilst people don't talk about that issue, they do not have the oxygen of publicity, their membership dwindles, the money runs dry, and they become less relevant.

Perhaps they Tories may miss out on some money from their donors, but they have potentially much more to gain from keeping quiet on Europe.

Do as Tory bloggers say, not as they do

In the space of a fortnight, we see just how hypocritical the Tories are.

When three non-entity (well I'd never heard of them) former Lib Dem parliamentary candidates join the Tories, oh, what a fuss from the Tories. This was supposed to be significant and definitely cause for celebration and discussion.

Iain Dale revelled in it and wondered why the Lib Dems were not talking about it. A Tory councillor got very silly on my own blog making party political points, such was his excitement at this turning point and decline in Lib Dem fortunes.

So what happens when two Tory lords defect to UKIP . Hardly a word. Just a single line posting from Iain Dale.

Now I'm not going to overstate the importance of these defections. I stated clearly at the time of earlier defections that there is an ebb and flow to defections. Some Tory councillors defected to the Lib Dems a few weeks back, some Lib Dems join the Tories, some Tory Lords join UKIP and a Labour Councilor joined the Lib Dems, it has been announced today.

What I do think is hypocritical is that the Tories wanted us to believe two weeks ago that defections were important and they should be talked about. Now, they don't.

The slow death of UKIP England ...

They always say you've never really made it as a political party until you've got factions, and I guess UKIP thought they'd had all that with Veritas (who ?).

Now the BBC reports that 120 members in Plymouth are set to quit. Read the story HERE.

Has UKIP had its day ? What is clear is that when the Tories have "talked up" Europe in the past, it actually has the effect of turning voters off the Tories and on to UKIP. Now that Cameron has taken the sensible decision to avoid discussing the EU, the oxygen of publicity has been removed from UKIP.

I guess they hang on and will win a few less seats at the next Euro elections, but I think this is another nail in the coffin. It's not the beginning of the end (the Whole Kilroy-Silk thing takes that title), I just think the end will drag on for some time.