Hi,

last night was EUkip leadership hustings at Liverpool.

Chairman: Rachel Oxley
Contenders:
BATTEN MEP, Gerard
WOOD, Alan
PEARSON of Rannock, Malcolm Lord
SINCLAIRE MEP, Nikki
NATTRASS MEP, Mike - AGAIN No Show due to a family holiday in The Philippines!!

About 80 attended.

BBC Daily Politics Show filmed the proceedings (I doubt they will use it later today as the show will likely focus on PMQs and Afghanistan & Alan Johnson's senior advisers quitting in disgust.)

BATTEN - gave a lack lustre performance that didn't seem to go down very well. He tried to point score as to how long he had been in the party but came very unstuck when it was pointed out he had quit for 4 years and was intimidated by Farage despite what he was brave enough to say behind his back. No one brought up the fact that Batten voted to cover-up Tom Wise's criminality!!

WOOD, Alan - a stolid performance but clearly knows he hasn't a hope of winning and as with Exeter it was all too obvious his choice for leader is Nikki Sinclaire. AW is a decent genuine individual but way out of his depth being about the same age as Pearson, no doubt an excellent Branch Manager for EUkip and a sound Councillor but would make a reliable and honest chairman.

PEARSON - was challenged regarding Malcolm Wood (his Puppet Master - placed by Farage to control him) MW has it seems been claiming Stuart Wheeler would fund EUkip if Farage's placement was elected - Pearson denied knowledge of such a deal, but he would only know if Farage wanted him to. It seems no one had told him about the gossip about Prof. Tim Condon rejoining but he is not in touch with EUkip members just the news he is fed!

SINCLAIRE - a sound performance showing by far the greatest knowledge of the Party and most widespread grass roots contacts. Clearly a graffter determined not to be sucked into the gravy train culture prevalent amongst the other MEPs. Determined to make an issue of being in the party for the cause NOT the money and volunteering much of her salary to fund the party, a point on which Batten is VERY reticent and Nattrass has always seemed to fund the party for personal gain!

NATTRASS - having had most of the summer off and not having attended HIS EU transport committee once yet - was yet again not at the hustings as he is wending his way back from a prolonged family holiday in The Philippines. One wonders if his heart is in the job of MEP and although he does as Farage tells him I believe he will quit before his term is up regardless of just how damaging Jill Seymour would be as a replacement - yes EUkip are that short of people who can read AND write!

There will be more details at: CLICK HERE

Regards,
Greg L-W.