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


Sunday, August 29, 2004 

How money has corrupted Britain's political system!

While the main targets of Nick Cohen's accurate and badly needed Observer attack on the undermining of the British political system are the major political parties, Mandelson and Blunkett - UKIP also comes in for its fair share of criticism. The full article is highly recommended and may be read from this link, whiled the section on UKIP is quoted here:-

Last week's figures showed that the UK Independence Party received more money than the Liberal Democrats in the run-up to June's European elections.

Its good fortune wasn't the result of a surge in membership, but because a Yorkshire businessman, Paul Sykes, gave Ukip £715,000.

Suppose that as well as hating Europe, Sykes despised gays and loathed fox hunters. WouldUkip's leaders and members dare risk losing his money by drawing-up a manifesto which was for homosexual equality and for fox hunting? Maybe they would, but it isn't over-cynical to believe Sykes has bought himself a party which would never dare cross him. (My emphasis - ed!)

It isn't just Ukip. Iain Duncan Smith's fate was sealed when Stuart Wheeler, the Conservative's biggest donor, said he wouldn't give a penny more to the party.

When Duncan Smith was duly fired and Howard took over, the spread-betting tycoon opened his wallet and gave another £500,000. The Tories are no longer dependent on the support of business as a whole, but of one businessman, Wheeler, and a handful of like-minded tycoons.

Think of how many raffles and discos ordinary party members would have to organise to raise Wheeler's £500,000, Sykes' £715,000 or Ondaatje's £1m.


posted by Martin |8:48 AM
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