WORTHING WEST BRANCH NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2008

The party has had a mixed few months since the last News Letter. More people voted for us in the Local elections, but we failed to maintain our presence in the London Assembly. Our mayoral candidate was easily the best, but his campaign was overshadowed by the contest between Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone.

We are now gearing ourselves up for the “Big One”, the European Elections in June 2009, of which, you will hear more from Head Office.

AGM

The AGM was held 15th March 2008 and was attended by 24 people. This represents just under a quarter of all Branch members and it would be nice to see more of you in future.

The Chairman, Phil Ruddock, gave a brief summary of the previous year including the increase in our vote at the Local Elections in May 2007, fund raising social events and laying a wreath at the Remembrance Day Service.

He then thanked everybody who had helped during the year by standing as candidates in the Local Election, leafleting and fund raising.

Ron Brooks, our Treasurer, reported that although we are in a fairly healthy financial position our expenditure is increasing. This is because we are taking on more activities, such as providing leaflets for some Local Election candidates and there is no room for complacency.

Phil then thanked the outgoing committee and a new committee was elected as follows: Chairman, Phil Ruddock, Secretary, Jenny Brooks, Treasurer, Ron Brooks, Vice Chairman/Membership Secretary, Janet Penn, Committee members, Richard Bater, Phil Skinner, Jim Driscoll and Shaune King who, as a new member was welcomed to the Committee.

John Wallace then spoke about the Lisbon Treaty and the failure of Parliament to give us a Referendum.

The main speaker, Douglas Denny, then gave a powerful presentation on why we should leave the EU.

A showing of the excellent DVD “Remote Control” was followed by a short talk by Steve Harris, Regional Organiser, who answered questions.

We all then adjourned for a chat and a very welcome cup of tea.

Local Elections

Local Elections were only held in Worthing and we managed to support six candidates. This year East Worthing and Shoreham fielded seven candidates who stood in Worthing and Adur, which also had elections, thus giving most residents in Worthing a chance to vote UKIP. It also contributed towards the number of candidates needed nationally to qualify for a Party Political Broadcast on TV, which I hope you all saw. Personally, I thought it was excellent.

Our results were: Central Ward, Christopher Woodward, 126 votes, 7%, Durrington, Chris Chatfield, 215 votes, 14%, Marine, Phil Ruddock, 278, 13%, Salvington, Ron Brooks, our star of the show, 428 votes, 19% and Tarring, Ann Brown, 191, 10%.

Our thanks go to all the candidates and leafleters who supported them.

We would also like to congratulate Mike Glennon from East Worthing and Shoreham, who stood in Offington and got 402 votes which was nearly 17% and came second, beating the Lib Dems and Labour.

Future Plans

We are currently planning a recruitment drive, which will coincide with a Public Meeting. To do this we will be delivering envelopes containing a letter, information about the EU and a Membership Form. It has been found that hand written envelopes produce a better result. Some of you say that you would like to help, but cannot leaflet. This is your chance. If you could address envelopes please let me know. This will probably be done in July/August ready for leafleting in September.

We will, of course, be calling for leafleters nearer the time for both the recruitment drive and the Public Meeting. Members who volunteer for both will be doubly welcome.

Party Conference

Littlehampton sub branch will be organising a coach for the first day of the Party Conference 5th September 2008, to be held in Bournemouth. If you are interested in going please ring Mary Lees, 01903 713851.

Shoreham Air Show

John Wallace, the West Sussex co-ordinator, has a caravan, which he uses to promote UKIP. He will be taking the caravan to Shoreham Air Show in the hopes of signing up more Members.

You may remember from the last News Letter that we were having a stall at the Hobbies and Leisure Exhibition in the Assembly Hall, Worthing. This proved to be a successful enterprise, well worth repeating, but more advertising by the organisers would have produced a better attendance.

It was also mentioned that we are setting up a library of books, leaflets and DVDs about the EU which Members can borrow. Phil Ruddock will be taking charge of this and a list of items available is currently being compiled. If you have anything which could be used in this way please contact me.

We look forward to seeing you at the fund raising event being held by Ron and Jenny Brooks and at the hustings for the MEP list being organised by the Party.