UKIP has what marketing people call a USP - a unique selling point. The USP is that they are the only political party which advicates withdrawal from the EU. Their leader Nigel Farage believes that if they are to make any further progress they need to broaden out their policy platform. He also believes that the party needs to get away from appearing obsessed by the European issue (which is, after all, why they were formed in the first place) and wants to change the Party's name to The Independence Party. This change was planned to be made before the May elections. However, Farage is meeting resistance from his core support and has had to abandon the plan in favour of a wish to "assert the concept" of 'independence'.
But what's this? The Party which proudly eschews focus groups and opinion pollsters (mainly because it normally can't afford them) has announced that "research had been commissioned into whether to permanently change the party's name, colours and pound logo."
In some ways that should be a plus for them as it implies a certain professionalism which was clearly lacking before. However, it is another sign of them moving away from idealism and becoming just like the three main parties - or at least, that's how many of their supporters may see it. More HERE.
Are they saying they won't take the UK out then....
ReplyDeleteAt least they are in the news and are looking forward. If their threat makes the Tory party come to some sense good luck to them.
ReplyDeleteHmm...saw this in the Torygraph yesterday, while enjoying a lovely day out in Cheltenham. Gosh, I shouldn't be saying this, but the ladies of that fair town are a bit of a change from Bristol.. I can't believe that they all went to the Cheltenham Ladies College but they are all so attractive, well-dressed and well-spoken. And they seem to spend more on one pair of funky boots and an outfit than many in Bristol could dispose of down in Primark, Matalan and George in a whole year.
ReplyDeleteWell apart from the one who shouted 'Oi, you in the orange top !' Actually it was only my shirt which was orange, and she was a chugger - well there has to be an exception to the rule. Well, at least she would be slightly lower maintenance..
Where was I, yes, the UKIP things looks a disaster waiting to happen.
Whatever little success they have had could disappear if they don't have the recognisable colours, '£' sign and name - they're effectively going to have to start advertising and branding from scratch..
Iain, I am not a tory right winger, but I know you well enough to know that you are not a racist, and to suggest that you are a homophobe, is well, a tad foolish.
ReplyDeleteI might even be tempted to give up my anonymity, due to my principled opposition to ID cards, and the NHS database, if it means getting higher quality of debate than seeing you being called naughty words.
Of course I haven't seen the new ad yet - so I might turn into a mad moron as well after 11am..
One of the Livingstone attack ads was something envisaged by Joseph Loconte - is the fundamentalist Christian who is throwing his hands up in despair when 'liberals' profess religion - on the basis that no-one who is against war could possibly be a dyed-in-the wool Christian ? He also finds it unbelievable that the Democrats are in favour of abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research and oppose the privatising of social security.
ReplyDeleteWhy are you getting into bed with this guy - he might have fleas ?
Ian off topic
ReplyDeleteHow many email addresses can you have just for yourself ?
Mr Ried wants to have piedo's email address ,is he of this world
It appears as though Nigel Farage has become independent from the rest of UKIP. Isn't this just another Kilroy was here?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if all the parties are drawing the battle lines , and starting to flex a bit . UKIP is just doing the same , they will end up using both brands ,fair enough
ReplyDeleteWell, changing their colour scheme would be nice. Right now it just hurts the eyes!
ReplyDeleteThat said I do find the change amusing. They appear then to want to become an alternative Conservative party. How odd.
Well Ian,
ReplyDeleteSame old misinformation again, (from you, not UKIP) being used to knock us,
If we are such an irrelevance why do you constantly stoop to stuff like this?
One thing is for sure, we have democracy in UKIP and our leader does take note of what the grassroots say unlike another leader I could mention....
Oak Tree anyone?????
Aha nice to see "sensitive , caring, Johny Norfolk ".I worry about defectors to UKIP but I do think DC is weakest on Europe and without their threat he would be worse.
ReplyDeleteOn every other subject , tax immigration , education , reform and so on Cameron is very sound if you actually listen to him.I do not like his attachment to this discredited organisation though. One sympathises with caution given the Parties kamikaze history but this is the only area where I do not trust him.
No doubt he will be "fleshing out" as we go along
I do not believe many UKIP memebers , in the hearts, wish to betray the country to the Lying scotsman . They are often very good people with reasonable points to make ..its just not realistic to split the right vote
Surely, the best reason to change from UKIP is that it sounds like an order to go to sleep.
ReplyDeleteWhat have these fiends got against the United Kingdom?
ReplyDeleteDropping the UK part of one's identity smacks of political correctness gone mad to me.
Slightly bitchy Iain. I'm not sure if you are criticising them for wanting to change or for not wanting to - the common point being the criticism.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure who is right - broadening their policy base is necessary if they are to progress & the name may help on the other hand changing the brand may be getting rid of your major asset. Either way it should be done quickly.
How much does a name matter - the Conservatives are 50% classic liberals, Labour are very dissociated from their working class roots & the Liberals aren't.
Simple, call themselves "UKIP Independence"
ReplyDeleteThis is all just a big partisan bit of stirring from you though isn't it Iain?
ReplyDeleteDCB campaigned to use the independence *theme* back in August and that is being delivered now.
afaik, the electoral commission wouldn't allow such a name change anyway, as it could lead to confusion.
Nigel clearly stated that the legal name would not change. Why seek to twist such a simple story?
Sorry for being piccy but the BNP (and probably some far-left parties) are all for EU withdrawal too.
ReplyDeleteWhatever we think of Nick Farage - and I like him, though I'm not a UKIP supporter - I bet there were few here who didn't cheer him on during his speech attacking Blair's disastrous EU Presidency.
ReplyDelete'Chirac no cheese eating surrender monkey he'...he has outplayed you and outclassed you at very turn...he stands up for the interests of the French people.'
whereas Blair wastes British money on contributions towards rebuilding Eastern EU sewers while our own infrastructure is crumbling.
Great stuff.