Newport UKIP in turmoil as chairman tries to rid party of ‘EDL sympathisers’ – South Wales Argus

Mike Chaffin, chair of UKIP's Newport branch (left), and Donald Grewar, the party's Newport East Parliamentary candidate (right).

Mike Chaffin, chair of UKIP’s Newport branch (left), and Donald Grewar, the party’s Newport East Parliamentary candidate (right).

Following on from Beastrabban\’s two reposts earlier today, it seems he’s not the only one with something to say about the activities of UKIP – here’s the South Wales Argus:

Newport’s branch of UKIP appeared in turmoil at the weekend as their chairman appealed for help to “rid this branch of EDL sympathisers”.

Mike Chaffin [branch chairman] posted on the branch’s Facebook page: “Not in my name, not in my party and not in my town!”

He pointed readers to comments made by the [party’s] Newport East parliamentary candidate Donald Grewar on the EDL Facebook page and BNP website.

Mr Grewar responded to an EDL post warning of ‘no surrender to militant Islam or political correctness’ with the comment: “Thus sais it all… the mood of the nation… well done EDL” [sic].

And he said in response to an article on the BNP website about gay marriage: “Well said Richtofen…. sadly this will all come to fruition in the very near future. We need to resist and stand our ground.”

Mr Chaffin asked party members: “Do you consider someone who both praises the English Defence League and posts on the British National Party’s own website to be a suitable candidate?”

He revealed he had been asked to stand down as Chairman and allow two others to take over the branch.

The rest of the article is on the South Wales Argus website.

If his claims are true, Mr Chaffin is to be congratulated for trying to rid his party of extremist sympathisers – but it will also prove Hope Not Hate correct in its assertion that UKIP is run by “amateurs”.

How are extremists allowed into UKIP in the first place?

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3 Comments

  1. Pete B January 27, 2015 at 11:33 am - Reply

    UKIP is a upmarket BNP.It will draw EDL and BNP members because it gives a vote to their prejudices.

    I know a few Kippers,they say they are concerned about immigrants,but usually when you question them further you find its only the coloured they are concerned about.A lot do not seem to mind White immigrants.

    In fact their opinions are not that far from those who wanted a Superior Arian race.I have been told that coloured people have smaller brains.In fact its the racists who have limited intelligence.

  2. concernedkev January 27, 2015 at 12:07 pm - Reply

    Sounds like a serious case of EDL & BNP entryism. A similar process occurred in Germany during the rise of the NAZI party. Right wing parties always attract the ultra right in an attempt to gain influence and power when their own policies are rejected by the masses. This chairman Mr Chaffin needs to get tough. If they had rules and firm policies which banned racist, homophobic, sexists or any hate language or behaviour it would be easy for him to provisionally suspend or deny membership. Good luck pal these wild rabid animal politicos will probably eat you for breakfast. Remember the old saying “if you play with the bull expect to get it horns up your arse” On an optimistic note “a house divided can never stand”. Labour in the area just need to keep connected to the electorate and not get involved with squabbling

  3. NelMac January 28, 2015 at 12:20 pm - Reply

    Didn’t a senior UKIP man recently say that the party was catering for bigoted people? That means that thoroughly unpleasant bigots throughout the land will be attracted to it.

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