Fascism in UKIP: The Proposed Constitutional changes

Here are the proposed changes to UKIP's constitution. These changes will give unlimited power to Farage and his odious sidekick Nuttall. These changes will be used by the leadership to persecute and expel all those who refuse to accept their word as law. Reject this attempt to stifle freedom of speech! Reject this attack on democracy! Reject their dictatorship!

Vote no to all these changes! Vote no to Farage fascism!

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE PARTY CONSTITUTION

The NEC recommends the following amendments to the Party Conference as agreed at the NEC meeting of Dec 1st 2008. Vote to accept or reject these changes using the enclosed ballot paper and please observe the instructions printed thereon.

The relevant current passages of the constitution are copied below, followed by their proposed amendment in bold italics

4 MEMBERSHIP4.5

Currently reads

Members shall accept the Party's constitution and rules made in accordance with this constitution and do nothing to undermine the reputation of the Party or to bring the Party into public disrepute. Nor shall they act in a manner intended to cause, or actually causing, damage to the Party's interests including by breaching confidentiality

Proposed amendment

4.5 Members shall accept the Party’s constitution and rules made in accordance with this constitution and do nothing to undermine the reputation of the Party or to bring the Party into public disrepute. Nor shall they act in a manner intended to cause, or actually causing, damage to the Party’s interests including, by wilful disruptive conduct or by breaching confidentiality.

4.6 new paragraph

Former members who have been expelled may only be readmitted with the approval of the NEC.

6 THE ANNUAL PARTY CONFERENCE

Currently reads

6.1The Party shall hold both a Business Meeting and an Annual Conference annually at places and times decided by the NEC. Only paid-up Party members may vote at the Business Meeting and at the Annual Conference.

6.2 The Business Meeting will be open only to paid-up Party members. Its business will be to receive reports from the national officers; to elect members of the Discipline Committee (who will serve until the next Business Meeting) receive and vote on the Party's accounts and to determine the membership fee.

6.3 All motions at the Business Meeting may be passed by a simple majority of those voting. Procedures for submitting nominations and motions at the Business Meeting shall be determined by the NEC from time to time.

Proposed amendments

6The Party shall hold an Annual Conference and other national meetings as deemed appropriate by the NEC at times and places decided by the NEC. A report and presentation of accounts to the membership by the Party Treasurer will be presented at such a meeting. Only paid up members shall be entitled to vote at such meetings and the NEC shall give active consideration to holding a Spring Conference.

6.2 & 6.3 delete

9 THE PARTY TREASURER

currently reads

9.2 The Treasurer shall be responsible for managing the Party's finances, for preparing annual accounts and presenting them for approval at the Business Meeting which shall be held within the time required by the Electoral Commission for reporting accounts by the Party. He or she will carry out any other functions prescribed by statute in relation to the finances and financial reporting of the Party. He or she will chair the Finance Committee.

proposed amendment

9.2 The Treasurer is responsible for managing the Party’s finances, for preparing annual accounts and presenting them for approval at a meeting which shall be held within the time required by the Electoral Commission for reporting accounts by the Party. He or she will carry out any other functions prescribed by statute in relation to the finances and financial reporting of the Party. He or she will chair the Finance Committee.

10 THE PARTY SECRETARY

currently reads

10.3 The Party Secretary shall chair the Committee on Standing Orders and he or she will determine its composition.

proposed amendment

10.3 delete (committee defunct)

13 STANDING AND TEMPORARY COMMITTEES

currently reads

13.1 The standing committees set up by the NEC shall include a Finance Committee, a Discipline Committee, a Committee on Standing Orders and a Conference Committee. 13.3 The Discipline Committee shall comprise the Party Secretary and the members elected for this purpose at the Party Business Meeting and shall be chaired by the Party Secretary. 13.4 The Committee on Standing Orders shall be chaired by the Party Secretary and will be responsible for making recommendations to the NEC for maintaining and updating the rules prescribed by the Party for various purposes and for reviewing proposals for amendments to the Party constitution. The Conference Committee will be chaired by the Party Chairman and will have the responsibility for all matters relating to the agenda of the Party Conference, including the selection of motions for debate.

proposed amendments

13.1 The standing committees set up by the NEC shall include a Finance Committee and a Discipline Committee (deleting Standing Orders and Conference Committees)

13.3 delete (revised below in 14)

13.4 The Conference Committee will be chaired by the Party Chairman and will have the responsibility for all matters relating to the agenda of the Party Conference, including the selection of motions for debate. (deleting the first sentence on Standing Orders)

14 DISCIPLINE currently reads14 The Party shall establish a Discipline Committee comprising of the Party Secretary and up to ten members approved by the annual Business Meeting from fully paid-up Party members. The Party Secretary and a minimum of four members of the Discipline Committee shall conduct specific hearings in accordance with the appropriate rules which shall be made by the NEC from time to time. Serving members of the NEC may not be nominated for election to the Discipline Panel, and elected members of the Discipline Panel must resign if elected to the NEC.

proposed amendments

14.1 The Party shall establish a Discipline Panel comprising of the Party Secretary as Chairman who shall, at any one time, select 3 Party members in good standing from a pool established as 5 members from each region, selected by each Regional Committee. MEPs and paid employees of the Party shall be excluded from serving on disciplinary panels.

14.2 Disciplinary complaints may be lodged by individual party members, or by the party chairman if he/ she deems that there has been a breach of paragraph 4.5 of the Party Constitution.

14.3 When a complaint is lodged by the Party Chairman he/ she has the authority to order immediate temporary suspension of the member concerned from all party offices or candidatures or from party membership, with suspension from membership implying suspension from all party offices and candidatures. The case will simultaneously be referred to the Discipline Committee which will decide within 14 days whether to confirm any such suspension and will proceed according to the Discipline Rules.

END