UKIP confident of gaining first Coventry councillor

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UKIP confident of gaining first Coventry councillor

Postby dutchman » Tue Apr 16, 2019 6:52 pm

The party has fielded 14 candidates this year, and believes it can take two wards from Labour

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UKIP’s chairman has said he is happy for the party to be the ‘protest vote’ in this year’s local elections - but is confident their policies alone can land them their first Coventry councillor.

The pro-Brexit party has fielded 14 candidates this year, an increase of six from the year before, with chairman Ian Rogers “extremely confident” they can take two wards from Labour.

“We are really impressed with what we have done this year,” he said, referencing Henley ward – where he is standing – and Binley and Willenhall as their targets on May 2.

“We have pulled second place in the previous year so we are extremely confident of getting a councillor this time around.

“We know the response from a lot of areas has been encouraging so we are hoping that translates into votes.”

A key UKIP policy is to reduce the number of councillors in each ward from three to two, and move to ‘all-out-elections’ once every four years. Currently, one third of the council is elected each year, followed by one year without election .

He said: “The current system is completely dysfunctional.

“There are 54 councillors in Coventry and they all claim allowances.

“It frustrates people when they see their council tax increase year after year.

“There’s three councillors in each ward but what is the point of that? Are all three working on local issues?”

The party also wants to bring back the former Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital, which closed in 2006 when services moved to University Hospital Coventry.

Mr Rogers said: “Coventry historically had four hospital sites and now we have got one main hospital site where the road is dysfunctional and parking is an issue.

“It clearly makes sense for a new hospital site to be re-opened in the city.”

Mr Rogers said the party also wants to scrap the proposed Coundon Road closure, with a petition set-up by Sherbourne candidate Glyn Davies attracting more than 3,500 signatures.

“It is a very popular petition, he said. “It is clearly nonsensical.”

UKIP also wants a referendum on the city's membership of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

“In 2012 63.6 per cent in Coventry rejected plans for a mayor,” Mr Rogers said.

“That is undemocratic. The people said no.”

Other policies include:

  • proposing alternatives to HS2
  • reviewing library closures and school crossing patrols
  • opposing all development on greenbelt
  • introduce new weekly recycling collections
  • opposing further student developments outside the city in favour of social housing and temporary accommodation
  • free parking for hospital staff
  • free parking for visitors to the city centre at weekends
  • crackdown on fly-tipping
  • scrapping travel expenses for meetings at the council house
  • reducing executive salaries below £100,000
  • reinstate council tax support for the most vulnerable and families on low income
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Re: UKIP confident of gaining first Coventry councillor

Postby rebbonk » Tue Apr 16, 2019 6:56 pm

I've just had the Labour leaflet. Mainly Central Tory government bashing and how they would fight it, but very thin on the ground as to local issues and possible resolution. :clown:
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Re: UKIP confident of gaining first Coventry councillor

Postby dutchman » Wed Apr 24, 2019 10:01 pm

Eggs thrown at would-be Coventry UKIP councillors in 'politically motivated attack'

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TWO prospective Coventry UKIP councillors have allegedly been pelted with eggs in what they describe as a politically motivated assault.

Local party chairman Ian Rogers (Henley) and Marcus Fogden (Longford) are both competing in the forthcoming elections on May 2 to secure UKIP’s first ever seat on the council.

But while they were out canvassing on Saturday, April 20 in Walsgrave the pair claim they were verbally abused and had eggs thrown at them by women driving by in a car.

Mr Rogers said: “The occupants of the vehicle shouted that we are a racist party and we are not welcome in Walsgrave.

“The car returned a short while later and eggs were thrown with force.

“Using violence and intimidation towards people based on their political opinion is completely unacceptable.

“We are working hard to undo the toxic narrative of the mainstream media by engaging with members of the public and promoting our local policy agenda.

“There is absolutely no evidence which shows that our candidates or party policies both locally and nationally are racist because it is a ridiculous smear to undermine UKIP.

“The best way to undermine Brexit is to undermine UKIP.”

The pair had staged a stall at Bell Green Riley Square and a team went out delivering leaflets in Henley Green and Walsgrave.

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “Police are investigating an assault on two men who were delivering leaflets in Oslo Gardens in Walsgrave at around 3.20pm on Saturday, April 20.

“Two women in a car drove past the men, who are in their early 30s, shouting abuse. Eggs were then thrown at the men.

“Neither man was injured.

“Anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight or call 101 anytime quoting 20CV/96230U/19.

“Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

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Re: UKIP confident of gaining first Coventry councillor

Postby rebbonk » Thu Apr 25, 2019 10:24 am

There is a definite groundswell against Coventry's current Labour councillors.

Whether it will translate into anything come voting day remains to be seen.
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