Wednesday, September 19, 2012

We Demand A Referendum Party-Aiming At The Wrong Target?

Having a couple of days to ponder Nikki Sinclaire's new political party I am slightly concerned. It seems that they intend taking up seats in the European Parliament if elected in 2014. I fear that standing in the Euros, and taking up seats, could be a huge double mistake.

Many of us were seduced into UKIP post-1999 with the promise that their MEPs would use their huge amounts of money to build a credible force at home in the UK. Sadly they went native and there are now just a number of people with a lot more money in their bank accounts as a result of being MEPs or working for MEPs on fat salaries, but not a single MP. Furthermore they have few elected councillors, most are co-opted onto town/parish councils. The few elected are usually defectors from other parties who lose their seats when they stand under the UKIP brand.

I believe that Nikki's movement would come across as much more principled if they refused to take up seats if elected. After all, most Eurosceptics know that MEPs have no power and any number of MEPs elected would not bring a referendum any closer, it has nothing to do with the European Parliament.

The real target for making an impact is Westminster. Hitting the governing parties in a general election is the way forward, not in meaningless EU elections. Remember James Goldsmith's Referendum Party? If the Tories were in danger in a Westminster election that would make a difference.

Sadly it seems that Eurosceptics have been seduced by the proportional representation system in Europe where, with a relatively small vote, they can gain representation, and fat salaries. Yes some misguidedly genuinely think it will help, others are in it for the cash.

I would not discount the We Demand A Referendum Party, but I will really take some convincing that it will be worth voting for in 2014.

7 comments:

Andrew Withers said...

The Republican movement in Ireland certainly came across as acting on priciple when they refused to take their seats, except the reality was they too took the cash as MP's and used the facilities at Westminster.

There is a groundswell against the EU, heavy weights like Liam Fox are saying we should have the same relationship as Norway and Switzerland. The EU referendum was promised by Cameron and reneged on. That is going to come back to bite him. Good article that I have retweeted.

Andrew Withers said...

The Republican movement in Ireland certainly came across as acting on priciple when they refused to take their seats, except the reality was they too took the cash as MP's and used the facilities at Westminster.

There is a groundswell against the EU, heavy weights like Liam Fox are saying we should have the same relationship as Norway and Switzerland. The EU referendum was promised by Cameron and reneged on. That is going to come back to bite him. Good article that I have retweeted.

Gregg said...

Thanks Andrew. I wish Nikki well but can't see this as a logical way to achieve our aim.

Daz Pearce said...

It's the classic case of 'don't bite the hand that feeds you'.

If someone's livelihood is dependant upon the EU, then supporting withdrawal from it is akin to turkeys voting for Xmas.

I'm stunned at the thought they would actually take up seats, after all that Nikki went through with UKIP.

A strong definition of principle is opposing that from which you might extract some personal gain. Just remove the temptation to go native and people will know for sure that you mean business.

Gregg said...

Correct Daz. A few years back I was at a meeting with Enoch Powell, who was asked how he thought we Eurosceptics should vote in the forthcoming Euro elections. His reply was that he wouldn't soil his hands on a European ballot paper. I suppose engaging with the EU is a bit like collaboration a la Vichy.

Anonymous said...

http://wedemandareferendumparty.wordpress.com/tag/we-demand-a-referendum-party/

After seeing this online, I can't take the party seriously.

Gregg said...

Thank you for that Anonymous, you've really reminded me what a juvenile, hate filled bunch of parasites so many in UKIP really are. It's a shame for the decent members that they either ignore,or are unaware of, what cowardly shits like you get up to. Don't suppose you've got the courage to come out from behind your anonymity have you? And you wonder why UKIP lacks any credibility.