Batten down the hatches – new leader for UKIP

UKIP MEMBERS have managed to elect another Leader – but they will have to gear up for yet another election contest in a few months. Gerard Batten has won the members’ ballot – but he’s already announced that he will serve for only one year.

At least he knows what he’s talking about. Mr Batten has been in post, as Acting Leader, since February – propelled to the top spot after his predecessor, Henry Bolton, resigned after his on/off girlfriend was accused of posting racist tweets about Meghan Markle.

Gerard Batten replaced Henry Bolton –
but he has his own dodgy positions to defend:
New UKIP Leader calls Islam a “death cult”

Since he has been Acting Leader, Batten has tackled UKIP’s financial crisis. Lacking a single wealthy donor who could plug the gap in the Party’s finances, Batten appealed to members for donations. This has saved UKIP from immediate bankruptcy, but it is yet to be seen whether UKIP can survive in the long term on member donations. He also claims to have put in place a new, leaner internal structure.

No one else stood in this leadership contest. Mr Batten was the only candidate, and the lack of any real contest this time round is his reason for resigning in 12 month time is so that there can be a real contest.

Until he resigns, Batten will be concentrating to restore the Party’s fortunes. He sees UKIP as the only true opposition party in the UK, even though its single policy, leaving the EU, is taking place – presumably leaving UKIP with no policies to put forward.

Batten urged UKIP members to put their efforts into the May local elections – though he admitted that it would be hard for the Party to win seats as they are now having to rely on volunteers.

Winning seats could be difficult if any more candidates like Kim Kimberley-Blackstar turn up. Mr Kimberley-Blackstar is standing for election to Newcastle City Council. A Facebook post he made in 2016 has now emerged in which he refers to Islam as a “barbaric satanic cult” and says he would “never trust a Muslim”.

Another post calls on the Queen to command the armed forces to arrest all politicians, blow up all mosques, nuke Jerusalem, The Vatican, Mecca and Brussels – and invade other countries in order to restore the empire.

Ah, UKIP – never a dull moment.

•Read more about it:
UKIP: pressure grow on Henry Bolton
UKIP: EU Whips clash over “extremist” Waters

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