UKIP Uncovered

UKIP Uncovered
What motivates the leaders of the United Kingdom Independence Party?

Monday, April 21, 2003

The present leader of the UK Independence Party is Roger Knapman, who was elected unopposed at the party's Scarborough Conference in the autumn of 2002. A former Tory MP for Stroud, his photograph and brief biography can be found from visiting the attached link:-

Roger Knapman

Not much can be discovered from a research of Hansard for the period he sat in the House of Commons. The entry below from which we quote "Mr. Roger Knapman (Stroud) : Morning sittings of the House are an abomination and interfere unnecessarily with one's lifestyle. I hope that the Leader of the House does not consider that more are necessary." informs us he was not keen on early rising but leaves us none the wiser on policy matters.Hansard November 27th 1992

Another rare example of Mr Knapman's oratory is the following:-

"Mr. Knapman : On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. There may be an error in the Order Paper today. In question No. 15, the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Leith (Mr. Brown) was asking about Government sponsored schemes for training under-21s. Is it not more likely that the hon. Gentleman meant to ask about training for the over-21s?
Mr. Speaker : I have no idea. Let us now move on the the ten-minute rule motion. "

Since becoming leader of UKIP he has continued his apparent aversion to appearing in the media, although he did get this letter published in The Guardian:-

Knapman Letter on the BNP

Media shares BNP blame

Thursday January 30, 2003

The UK Independence party is not, as Labour claims (Labour seeks to stop BNP making more gains, January 28), in a state of "virtual collapse", and remains the UK's fourth largest party, with a growing membership. We have almost 30 local councillors (six times as many as the BNP), with a significant number gained by the defection of Labour councillors. Last May, we averaged 8% of the vote in local government wards we contested, and aim to increase that significantly this year.
The BNP succeeds by targeting large, run-down council estates with a generally low income, poorly educated electorate. These estates have ended up in this situation precisely because the three main parties have failed in their duty and reneged on their promises to improve the quality of life there.
By contrast, the smaller moderate parties have both the credibility and the policies to achieve what the main parties have failed to do. The fact that the UK Independence party, the Greens and the Socialist Alliance between them contested over 2,500 wards last May was not remarked upon in the national media because of the obsession with the BNP, who put forward a mere 96 candidates. If the media continues to ignore the very parties that can credibly oppose the racist rhetoric of the BNP in these wards, then it must also share the blame when the BNP proves successful.
Roger Knapman
Leader, UK Independence party

One of his infrequent forays away from his West Country base was to this event in the North East of England:-

UKIP Contact Page
... Roger Knapman, Chris Williamson, Peter Troy, Richard North. Buffet from 7.OOpm.
Peter Troy 01609 760624. ... Speaker Roger Knapman. Buffet and wine. £10.00. ...
Description: Promoting the anti-EU party in East Anglia with information, links and membership information.
Category: Regional > Europe > ... > Politics > Parties > UK Independence Party
www.democracy-uk.co.uk/ukip/meeting.htm - 9k - Cached - Similar pages

This event at Sedgefield Racecourse in the Prime Minister's constituency on 6th December 2002, was mysteriously described by Party Chairman David Lott as NOT being "to promote the UKIP but to obtain general publicity without mentioning the name of UKIP." One wonders how that is possible and what it could possibly mean. Is UKIP's new party leader so allergic to publicity that he chooses to travel incognito?

While still a member of the Conservative Party Mr Knapman was not ashamed of proclaiming his membership of the Right Wing Monday Club, since purged from the party by Iain Duncan Smith on 18th October 2001. David Davis then Tory Party Chairman was reported by the Guardian as saying after an 80 minute meeting " I have told them that until a number of things are concluded - particularly some concerns about the membership of the club, and a review of the club's constitution and a requirement that the club will not promulgate or discuss policies relating to race - that the club is suspended from any association with the Conservative party." We did have a link to the full article by Nicholas Watt dated October 19, 2001 but regret do not presently seem to be able to access the web page. A BBC report on the severing of links can be accessed from here Conservatives cut ties with Monday Club over Race

In the Autumn of 2002 Mr Knapman undeterred was continuing his association with this group, here described as belonging to a right wing faction within the acknowledged right wing Monday Club, already proscribed by the Tories as described above:-

Wednesday 9 October 12.15 Connaught Hotel, West Hill, Bournemouth Adrian
davies (Barrister) Aidan Rankin (right wing writer), Sam Swirling (former
Pres. Monday Club), Derek Turner (Ed. Right Now!) Ashley Mote (author),
Roger Knapman (Leader-elect, UKIP_ (Right wing action group within the
Conservative Monday Club)

Eurorealist Diary Updates

One time leader of the Monday Club, Viscount Massereene and Ferrard, has been quoted as saying, "If you say I am a racist, yes I certainly am, and proud of it". Visit the web site of The Monday Club by clicking the link The Conservative Monday Club

I realise this sketch of UKIP's leader lacks substance, but after extensive searches there is little more we have found to add. If others have extra links or information we would be happy to include other links or quotes. We can be e-mailed by the link at the top right side of the blog.

posted by Martin |2:26 PM