Norfolk Conservative councillor resigns after being caught on film making inappropriate comments

A Conservative councillor in Norfolk has been suspended from the party after being caught on film making inappropriate comments to a hunt protester.

Cllr Charles Carter, who sits on Breckland Council, was suspended for making lewd comments to a hunt protester in Yorkshire, including the line "I'd like to shag you". He appears to have resigned from the party rather than face an investigation.

Second place for UKIP in Norfolk

UKIP candidate Denis Crawford came second in a by-election in Harling & Heathlands, Norfolk yesterday.

The Tories retained the seat with 56.3%, UKIP were second with 22.9% and the Labour candidate came last with 21% of the vote.

It's no longer unusual for UKIP to win a by-election, normal for UKIP to come second or third and rare to finish fourth or worse. The only thing standing between UKIP and national electoral success are vested interests and good old inertia.

UKIP condemns Government's referendum refusal on Norfolk and Suffolk unitary re-organisation

The Government has confirmed in an answer to a written question by UKIP's MP, Dr Bob Spink, that the people of Suffolk and Norfolk are to be denied a referendum on any proposals for unitary reorganisation. John Healey, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government said in a written answer: "We have no plans for local referendums on any proposals for unitary local government in Norfolk and Suffolk."

David Campbell Bannerman, UKIP's Deputy Leader and Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Suffolk South as well as the Party's Lead Candidate for the forthcoming European Election said: "The proposals for unitary authorities in Suffolk and Norfolk represent a massive shift in local democracy. It is scandalous for the Government to be considering such a dramatic change without consulting the people who live in those counties and who use and pay for local services through a direct vote.

"This is top down government at its very worst. It shows contempt for local people who would have their local authorities such as town, district and borough councils abolished and replaced by much bigger, more remote unitary authorities, which would have little or no idea about local priorities.

"UKIP vigorously opposes this dictatorial approach, which shows contempt for democracy by an ever more out-of-touch political class. With the Government's shambolic, so-called consultation having run into legal trouble, there will now be no decisions made before 15th July, instead of the promised 13th February. This gives voters the opportunity to make their views known in the county council elections in June.

"UKIP believes in local referendums on this and any other major issue that people are concerned about in the areas where they live. A mechanism to make that possible will be included in our manifesto. Democracy belongs to the people and we abandon it at our peril."


Local Government Re-organisation - Extract from Hansard - January 09

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will make it her policy that local referendums be held in Suffolk and Norfolk on the reorganisation of local government; and if she will include the option of retaining the status quo in the referendum. [246693]

2. Policies on reinvigorating democracy are contained in the UK Independence Party Constitutional Policy paper 'How We're Governed, see www.ukip.org website or http://www.ukip.org/content/ukip-policies/725-uk-independence-party-constitutional-policy-august-2008

UKIP PPC LAUNCHES PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS AND ANNOUNCES LOCAL LITTER- PICK

On Sunday 25th January at North Walsham Community Centre, Stephen Scott-Fawcett, UKIP prospective Westminster candidate for North Norfolk, launched a series of public meetings to be held around the constituency in the coming months.

The purpose of the meetings is to generate dialogue with local people about the issues that really matter. It will also be a fact-finding tour and an opportunity for UKIP to explain its views on the European Union as well as to highlight its policies on major national issues such as education, defence, energy and taxation. Norfolk-born Cambridge graduate Stephen Scott-Fawcett is a Chartered Surveyor by profession and adventurer by hobby. He is a recognised expert on polar matters and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

At the North Walsham meeting Scott-Fawcett was joined by UKIP District Councillor and local businessman, Michael Baker who gave an address on UKIP’s current education policy. Also with them was Norfolk farmer Stuart Agnew, who gave a presentation on how Brussels overrides Westminster. Both Baker and Agnew are UKIP prospective candidates (East of England Region) for the European Elections in June 2009.

Scott-Fawcett challenged sitting MP, Norman Lamb, regarding his position on British membership of the EU: "Norman stated back in 2007 that he believed the EU should be more democratic, more accountable and more decentralised. Such words sound good but where is the evidence it is actually happening? Once the Lisbon Treaty is finally squeezed through, the EU will be even less accountable and even more centralised!"

Focusing on North Walsham, Stephen Scott-Fawcett highlighted some of the major issues facing the town – its poor road and path infrastructure, its poor policing, the loss of retail and industry, the debate over relocating Paston College and the litter problem. He announced affirmative action on the latter. “There will be a Litter Picking Action Day in North Walsham on 8th February. Anyone who would like to join me, should meet in the Market Square at 2pm, in suitable clothes and gloves.” Norwich@ukip.org to get involved.