Dear Members of the NEC,
It is with great disappointment that I must respond today to the anti-democratic and baseless call for me to have the party whip removed if I fail to either resign from an elected position or stand down as Leader of UKIP in Wales.
The NEC’s demands are ostensibly based on a desire to hold me to an alleged pledge to give up my role as an MEP if elected to the Assembly – but such desires ignore the dramatic change in circumstances since the Welsh elections and the result of the referendum. In exercising my mandate (in the Assembly and the European Parliament) I must take account of those new circumstances, and it is not for the NEC to inform me how to fulfill the mandate that I have been given by the electorate.
Had the NEC been operating in a way that places the party’s long-term interests above divisive factional preferences and private whims, I would not have expected a decision of this magnitude to be made at a time when both the leader of the party and its chairman are in the process of being replaced. But it would seem this is not the case, and I have at my disposal evidence to corroborate that such unreasonable behaviour by the NEC is not isolated.
Let me make it expressly clear why, were I indeed afforded any hearing as the law of natural justice would require, I am not going to be coerced by the NEC into resigning positions to which I have been either elected by the people of Wales or appointed by the party leader:
- There is no heir apparent to the position of UKIP’s MEP in Wales. Two of the candidates on the shortlist below me are also AM’s and could, just as easily as I have, be charged with ‘double-jobbing’ – moreover they have expressed publicly that they do not wish to take on the role. The final candidate on the list left the party to work for another party directly competing with UKIP in the Assembly elections and therefore is either not a member or could only have membership of mere weeks, both would make him ineligible as a potential candidate. There would therefore be no UKIP Wales MEP (a gross democratic deficit given Wales voted by majority to leave the EU) and spark a by-election at a significant expense to the taxpayer for a role that is due to terminate in the near future.
- A by-election would lead to two very substantial costs to: (1) UKIP, who may be asked to reimburse European Parliament group moneys allocated according to the number of MEPs thereby costing the party tens of thousands of pounds (2) more significantly the Welsh taxpayer, who would have to foot the bill for any by-election that would by law have to be held as a result of the position of MEP being left vacant, I understand that this cost may be in the region of £5m. This would clearly be nonsensical, given that the position of MEP is now subject to curtailed tenure, but European law requires it.
- I also regard resignation from the Assembly role I was elected to fulfill would be gross dereliction of duty at the behest of a tiny number of UKIP members who sit on the NEC. As the Leader of UKIP in Wales, a position bestowed on me by the Party Leader who remains in place until the new leader is elected, I was the face of the national campaign in Wales: taking part in all the major live television debates, and representing the party as the leader to the electorate, a role I serve with great pride. My commitment is therefore to the voter first and foremost, rather than the predilections of individuals on the NEC.
- Taking on both roles is not something I do with levity and there is no personal gain, nor private financial advantage to me for holding two elected positions. However, I must now act as a vital bridge between Brussels and the Welsh Assembly while Brexit negotiations take place.
- I find the execution of the NEC’s instruction unfathomable. The very idea that an individual on the party’s NEC can gather a majority of support by corralling other NEC members without me being permitted to offer counter-argument, based on what I believe may have been the propagation of slander (for example, regarding my religion), and then declare this a fait accompli by instructing the party’s General Secretary to send to me a prepared letter, is audacious at least. A decision of such weight should require full consideration of the Chairman (currently outgoing and due to be replaced), the Leader (currently outgoing and due to be replaced) and the NEC (of which a number of members are due to be replaced in next month), following long and thorough deliberation over the impact on both the party and the electorate. The subsequent leaking to the media of the intention to pursue this course of action does not crystallise it in fact. Instead these actions undermine due process and risk giving the impression that the NEC’s decision is ill-considered and a biased attempt to exploit its narrow window of caretaker governance to force through decisions for which it does not have authority either under the party’s constitution or in law.
After a decade of committed service to the party, having run the campaign in Wales as the UKIP Leader, securing 7 seats in the Assembly, and with an entirely clean track record, to seek to remove me from the party, given the consequences of these actions, would be extremely injurious to the reputation of UKIP.
In conclusion: the above consequences, brought about merely to satisfy the NEC’s thirst to exercise influence, have clearly not been considered by the NEC or are being ignored unreasonably and its decision may therefore be in clear breach of contract.
Yours faithfully,
Nathan Gill MEP, AM and UKIP Party Leader in Wales
I am with you all the way ….if it was that easy it would not be worth achieving.i find it difficult to understand the n.e.c. We need a new approach ,let’s cross check the rules constitution and standing orders if we do not lance the boil now ,we will be a foot note on the page of history and I have not worn out two leather leaflet shoulder bags to see the effects of so many go to waste.im Stevens man if he said jump I would say how high . I know you will have tough days ,but remember your doing this for the small guy who hasn’t got a say .
Dear Nathan, I have no idea if this open letter will reach you, but I hope it does.
Although I am a consistant UKIP voter I joined the party (having never been a member of any political party) immediately after the Referendum, because I felt that UKIP was uniquely placed to both hold Teresa May’s feet to the fire and, if that failed, to implement the referendum result at the next GE. If neither were necessary, then UKIP values would give people a reason to go to the polling booths again, since it is a party for the people of Great Britain.
Sadly, the party I had such hopes for seems to be in disarray, but I beg you to stand firm given your entirely reasonable position, in fact, being able to be the bridge that you talk about would seem vital going forward.
Finally could I say that I was deeply embarrassed that you were replaced as UKIP leader in,the Welsh Assembly – in the moment that we should have been so proud of the gains made in Wales, grandstanding by UKIP representatives made the party look petty and disorganized to say the least.
I was proud to have you leading UKIP Wales in debates during the referendum, and if we are to campaign for UKIP, it is important to have a leader we can be proud of.
With best wishes
Deirdre Trotman.
Nathan
I am disappointed that UKIP Wales has descended into fraggle Rock . The elected members have let petty Trumpton politics expose the party to ridlcule at a very critical time. The media loves it and you feed it.
Nathan, you did all the work and should have leader in the Assembly.
Hamilton should not have been in the reckoning as an AM and is a power free loader from England.
Over AMs just got a taste of power-get over yourselves and concentrate on delivering brexit and gaining some modicum of respect.
We, the people, don’t give a stuff about Nathan being MEP and AM.
He can be an MP if he likes.
Now stop this petty squabbling like a load of kids and show that there was something individually that is of value.
Remember we voted for the party, not individuals.
Support Nathan overHamilton and kick him back over the border
Stan Edwards
Nathan Gall is the face of U.K.I.P in Wales .Let the Members in Wales Decide
Nathan Gill is the face of UKIP in Wales Let the Members in Wales Decide
i will support Nathan Gill to carry on been the welsh ukip leader and the commitie NEC should be look into and disaplin will be taken again the nec and i say to every ukip supporter please support Nathan Gill and fight to keep steven woolfs.
I am disgusted at the ukip nec treatment of Nathan and Steven it will be the end of the best political party this country has had going to loose a lot of support Carswell and Evans should be flung out they do not belong to a great team that the rest of ukip people are I fear for our countries future at there hands arseholes the lot them that are doing this to Nathan and Stevengood luck to you both two great ukip men
NEC of UKIP can not see through the Lense. The very People that put the party first at the expence of their family in securing the project HOPE called Brexit are maligned and feed to the DOGS. Well they may not have the position for long.
Nathan did not only make UKIP proud. He actually tripple the membership base in Wales.
Dear Nathan,
Having followed your predicament with bemusement, I was pleased to read your response to what appears to be an ill thought action, led by a few misguided individuals within the NEC.
It is both frustrating and disappointing that these individuals can attempt to wreak such damage on and within the party which has fought so hard, (to achieve our independence) at a crucial phase of enforcing our victory.
I believe you are a thoughtful and honourable person who has put party before personal gain. As such, your actions in defending your position are completely justified and in the best interests of UKIP.
Keep up the good work.
Gerard Hever
Well said and. Thank you for that insights.
As a member of UKIP since 2011, I have to say that the leaders of UKIP, who should know better, are going to damage UKIP. The rank and file members and followers, desperately looking for leadership and a steady hand on the tiller, will leave the party. When I look at how much effort and sheer hard work we put in to achieve BREXIT it leaves me saddened for the leadership to let us all down at this critical time. Well done in making this letter available for all of us to see. I agree totally with it. Shame on the NEC.
Nathan, you have my support 100%. I am appalled at what I’m hearing about the NEC and the way they are treating you and Steve Woolfe. Their attitude leaves a lot to be desired.
I am very disappointed that UKIP has come to this. Without Nigel, UKIP would not be where they are now. Without Nigel, the UK would not have got and won its referendum. Without Nigel, significant splits within Labour and Conservative Parties would not have happened. When you’re leader of a party, especially in the circumstances we’re living in today, you have to make decisions that’s not going to please everyone. We have so much to thank Nigel for. No man has done so much for the UK as he has under such difficult and extreme circumstances. Many would have given up long ago, yet he soldiered on as true heroes always do.
I would like to hear from the NEC themselves how they have shown their appreciation towards Nigel for all the great work he has done for UKIP and the UK – hopefully from their hearts and not through politically correct speech, which is a pet hate of mine! I want to be proved wrong in my suspicions that they want to stop anybody having an influential position within UKIP who, like Nathan and Steve, are loyal to Farage. If I was a conspiracy theorist, I’d say a member of the establishment is operating within the NEC with the sole intention of destroying UKIP once and for all! Prove me wrong, please!
The problem is that you have to waste your time writing to a bunch of AMATEURES.
If they expel you I’m quitting UKIP . I’m sure you’ll find a lot of supporters who will back you up as you’re doing a great job. Whether the Hamiltons are BOTH DRIVING or whoever , someone is obviously frightened of your dedication and commitment. Hope to see you soon. God Bless you and Family , Adrian
We support you entirely Nathan. Please keep going what is happening is quite disgraceful
nathan, i think that there too many people ego tripping in the party at the moment.i can see no reason for you to take any notice of the nec so carry on with the excellent job that you are doing.i think the nec needs to get a grip shut up and get on with the job they should be doing
Hi Nathan,
I have just read your response to the NEC’s call for your resignation. Quite frankly I am disgusted at their high and mighty, heavy handed approach. To paraphrase our current leader, “who are they?” It’s just this sort of draconian attitude that will foster a feeling of division and amateurishness at a time when Ukip has all the momentum to carry the party to great victories in the next few years. With the choice of the ‘best MAN for the job’, as our new leader, we must show our membership and potential members that we are a professional political party, ready to step up to the plate and run this country the way it should be!
Stand your ground, Nathan. We need people like you more than ever now. This fight for freedom and democracy is far from over!