UKIP is taking the bold step of disbanding – and then relaunching – its branch in Devizes as part of a campaign to capture the seat of Tory MP Claire Perry at the next election.
Wiltshire UKIP chairman Neil Hamilton, the former Tory MP has taken the unprecedented step of declaring the Devizes branch moribund because of its lack of activity and started the process of creating a new branch with newly- elected officers.
And the first move forwards comes in Marlborough next Thursday (August 1) with the first UKIP public meeting to be held in the town.
This takes place at the Bear Hotel at 7pm, to which all members of the public are invited together with all 200 paid-up members in the county.
UKIP, which gained 25 percent of the vote at last May’s Wiltshire Council elections but won only one seat, missing the second by 27 votes, is expected to do well at next year’s Euro Elections.
“Devizes is a fertile territory for us,” Mr Hamilton told Marlborough News Online. “That’s because Claire Perry is such a sycophantic supporter of the Cameron and Osborne line on everything – and such a bossy boots – that we think we can win.
“There is a lot of dissatisfaction with her as their MP from traditional Conservatives.
“We have an appeal that goes right across the political spectrum, because we don’t come with any of the class baggage and history that the other parties have. We are a grassroots movement that has grown from the bottom up.”
Mr Hamilton will speak at the meeting. No new officers can be elected at this stage, as 21 day’s notice has to be given.
“We wanted to set up an acting branch and then in a few weeks have a formal general meeting, at which officers and a working committee can be elected,” added Mr. Hamilton.
UKIP’s aim is to select a parliamentary candidate within the coming months and launch a major offensive.
“I would ideally like to have a UKIP branch going in Devizes and another on Marlborough,” said Mr Hamilton. “My aim is to enable us to focus on both the north and south of the constituency. I am delighted with the progress we have made so far, which is now why I am now stirring the pot.”
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