The following is Nikki statement when she announced her candidature.

 

 

Dear UKIP member,

 

After much deliberation I have decided to run for the leadership of the UK Independence Party.

 

Firstly, I would like to place on record my respect and gratitude to our current leader, Roger Knapman. Roger is a decent honourable man who has worked tirelessly for this party and had the guts to join UKIP when many (ex) Tory MP’s shunned us despite agreeing with our aims. I think he was the best man for the job and my ideas for the future should in no way be seen as a criticism of him.

 

I think the time has come for a serious debate as to the future of the party and indeed our role in the cause that we all feel so passionately about.

 

For far too long the party membership have been told to ‘eat cake’  and have been taken for granted.  My leadership would always remember that the party belongs to the members not a few.  

 

My interim manifesto includes:-

 

 

· To put the party on a formal business basis and introduce an annual business plan that takes into account national expenditure including promotional material for the braches, advertising, a fully functioning office (public face) for UKIP in Westminster. It would be imperative to employ a full time fund raiser whose salary partly depended on their results.  The remaining shortfall in money would be requested from our generous MEP’s.

 

· To re-establish the principle (recently removed by the constitutional changes) of the membership being able to create policy (with a certain vote) at the Party Conference.  One of my first tasks would be to put together a committee to review the Party Constitution that would consult with those wishing to put their ideas forward. A Constitutional Conference would be held early next year with a new constitution—’A members charter’ in place by mid next year. 

 

 

· I would instigate legal action against Robert Kilroy-Silk, Ashley Mote, Damian Hockney and Peter Hulme-Cross to retrieve the elected positions rightfully owned by UKIP. I have a barristers opinion that supports our case. I also have experience in taking a case all the way through the High Court and winning.  UKIP members worked hard to gain those seats — their ours! The publicity gained by such an action would be immense.

 

· I would form at my discretion a political cabinet which will be drawn principally from MEP’s and other leading party figures.  I would appoint spokesman on various  issues. These people will be charged with forming policy documents and will have access to our paid research facilities in Brussels/UK. These policy documents will be passed by the ‘UKIP Council’  or the Party Conference.  I would stop silly press gimmicks like using a tank  to promote our local election manifesto. It would have been far better to unveil our manifesto in front of a town hall with giant numbers depicting how much the EU is costing local taxpayers.

 

· To create a ‘UKIP Council’ that meets at least four times a year. This would be drawn from county chairman/officers. Counties with above average membership will be permitted more members on the council. The Party Leader will be answerable to the Council who will have the right to pass a vote of no confidence in the leader and the decision put to a membership vote. The NEC will remain in place and could only refer the leader to the Council if a motion of no confidence was passed.  The NEC would continue to be the management committee of the party  but will also be answerable to the Council who can pass a motion of no confidence in it has a whole.  Each NEC member will be given a responsibility. The chairman will be responsible for making sure that member works diligently for the committee and report back on a monthly basis to the membership as to the progress of the committee. With the advent of a UKIP Council the NEC might be shrunk to eight people.  The NEC election will be move to a month after the Party Conference so that members can meet and question the candidates.

 

· Each regional organiser will be given a quota of council seats that UKIP candidates will stand next May. It is essential that UKIP achieves a party political broadcast next year. It will be my aim to win 100 council seats next May.  This is achievable if we target correctly, focus and supply the resources.  This is something the R/O’s should be doing now. However, there is no national focus.

 

· UKIP’s principle aim would remain  leaving the EU. As leader I would not dilute this in any shape or form. I believe in a full national and local manifesto. How else can we stand in these elections?

 

· I oppose political correctness and espouse freedom of speech. I wish UKIP to become a broad church party.  Our primary aim is far too important for us to argue about minor differences of opinion.  

 

 

         Nikki Sinclaire

      May 2006

 

 

 

 

Nikki Sinclaire originally put her name  forward in the UKIP  leadership election of 2006. Nikki decided to withdraw six weeks later.  Nikki said “The reason I put myself forward was to avoid a political coronation and to debate the future of our party. I feel confident that there are now enough candidates of calibre to make this an interesting race and to lead the UKIP to greater heights. My thanks to all those members who gave me their support.”