William Dartmouth MEP
I am old enough to have had a vote in the 1975 referendum on whether Britain should remain in the Common Market. This was the last time the Political Establishment granted us the right to vote on what is now European Union (the EU). In that referendum, I then voted in favour of Britain staying in the Common Market. My view then was that I was voting only for membership of a Free Trade Zone. Back in 1975, Britain was economically “the Sick Man of Europe”. I thought that through membership of the Common Market, Britain would somehow get a slice of the (West) German economic miracle. As I look back, I am ashamed to admit that I genuinely believed what the leaders of the major parties told us – namely, that the Common Market had “no constitutional agenda” and membership would in no way affect Britain’s independence. We now know that Heath, Wilson and the others were systematically and knowingly misrepresenting the truth. (It could be called lying.)
In 2005, David Cameron became Conservative leader. Political memories are short but it is worth remembering that David Cameron was elected Conservative leader as the Euro-sceptic candidate. Cameron then with relish and alacrity broke the Euro-sceptic promises he made, not just deferring withdrawal from the EPP, but abandoning the pre-existing (Conservative) policy to repatriate fishing. He also specifically barred as Shadow Minister(s) any Conservative MP who supported the “Better Off Out” campaign.
However, the tipping-point for me was when David Cameron gratuitously and offensively described the UK Independence Party as “…a bunch of … fruitcakes and loonies and closet racists…”. As a fellow Old Etonian and Oxford graduate – I have to say, “Shame on you Cameron”.
I then decided not just to vote for the UK Independence Party but to be become a member and an active one. When I joined the UK Independence Party, I was interviewed on the national Channel 4 News and the BBC website carried (most of) my formal statement.
At the end of last year I was selected as UK Independence Party prospective Parliamentary candidate for Exeter. To anyone who doubts our determination and ultimate ability to secure Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, to quote a leading US politician, I would say, “Yes, we can…..”
Click here to go to William’s website
Julia Reid MEP
Dr Julia Reid was born in London to a Wiltshire (Melksham) family. She has had successful academic and professional careers. She studied biochemistry as a mature student at the University of Bath. She then went on to work as a researcher in the biochemistry department of the university, before gaining a PhD in Pharmacology in 1998. She then took the post of Head of Academic Research and Labratory Manager at the Diabetes and Lipid Research Laboratory at the Royal United Hospital. She also worked at the Marian Merrell Dow Research Institute in Strasbourg and a Autogen Bioclear Ltd, before becoming a UKIP researcher.
Her parents instilled her with a deep respect for Britain and its traditions. When she joined UKIP as a student she already had an opposition towards the European Project, having been involved in the ‘No’ Vote in the 1975 referendum. She has stood as a candidate in local, general and European elections, and was elected to Calne Town Council in 2013. Julia is married to Ken and they now have two grandsons.
Committee followed: Regional Development
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