The letter from Damian may be read from this link, but is here quoted in full:
Full support for whoever leads UKIP
By David Hockney
Published: October 15 2004 03:00
Sir, It is quite correct that I believe the United Kingdom Independence party has a greater chance of winning seats at Westminster under a Kilroy-Silk leadership ("UKIP in Brussels row over leadership challenge", October 14), but my main reason for calling for a leadership election is the need to clear the air. Although I favour Robert Kilroy-Silk for the leadership, I would give full support to whoever was elected.
The current party leadership was shocked at the overwhelming party conference rejection of its determination to do deals with Conservative eurosceptics. The landslide vote was proof that we do not regard ourselves as Tories in Mourning. If this is not dealt with in the context of a leadership election, it too will damage our campaign as we could end up with two campaigns - the one the party leadership wants and the one the party membership wants.
Damian Hockney, Leader, UKIP Group, London Assembly