Is a UKIP undertaking worth the paper it’s written on? It appears not…

NOTE: This article was published on 9 June 2024As we reported last week, when Nigel Farage assumed the leadership of Reform UK and threw his hat in the ring in Clacton, UKIP Leader Lois Perry squealed with delight and announced that, in order to support her ‘friend’ and further the cause of right-wing unity, UKIP…

NOTE: This article was published on 9 June 2024

As we reported last week, when Nigel Farage assumed the leadership of Reform UK and threw his hat in the ring in Clacton, UKIP Leader Lois Perry squealed with delight and announced that, in order to support her ‘friend’ and further the cause of right-wing unity, UKIP would stand down in Reform’s favour in seven constituencies.

That was nonsense. They had no candidates lined up in most of those constituencies and two of them were actually abolished in the most recent set of boundary changes.

But even the spirit of the undertaking lasted no longer than close of nominations four days later.

When the candidates lists were announced it turned out that UKIP was now not only running against Farage himself in Clacton – where, to be fair, no undertaking had actually been given – but they are also running against Reform in the successor constituencies to the which had been abolished.

On Perry’s standing down list were Barnsley Central and Barnsley East. Last year they were replaced by Barnsley North and Barnsley South, and you would think that the spirit of Perry’s undertaking would mean those would be left as a free run for Reform.

But no. Oh dear, no. Ukip have pulled the rather crafty trick of outsourcing those seats to their allies in the English Democrats, with whom they are bound in an officially-registered electoral partnership called the Patriots Alliance.

So, in Barnsley South we find Maxine Spencer (pictured right) running as the “Patriots Alliance – English Democrats and UKIP” candidate and in Barnsley North, Janus Polenceusz (left) standing for the English Democrats.

In both cases their opponents include Reform UK.

This will, without doubt, have furthered the cause of right-wing unity immeasurably…


Paul Holborow

Paul Holborow

In the campaign against the National Front, Searchlight provided a rich and utterly reliable basis for much ANL propaganda – particularly with reference to the two leading NF figures, John Tyndall and Martin Webster. The appearance of Tyndall in full nazi uniform, drawn from the archives of Searchlight, was a key part of ANL propaganda, coupled with deeply damaging nazi quotes from Webster.

Paul Holborow
Founding member of the ANL and National Organiser 1977-81

Nick Davies

Nick Davies

To investigate fascists takes real courage and unusual commitment. The government, police, mainstream media occasionally take a look, but in the UK only Searchlight have kept at it, relentlessly and admirably, regardless of threat or obstacle. It’s journalism that matters. A rare thing.

Nick Davies
Multi-award-winning investigative journalist and writer

Professor Colin Holmes

Professor Colin Holmes
Everyone who wants to understand contemporary racism and its historical background needs to read Searchlight.
Professor Colin Holmes
University of Sheffield

Peter Hain

Peter Hain, founder of the ANL and friend of Searchlight

British Jews have been persecuted over the centuries; British blacks since the Windrush generation of the 1950s; British Muslims, especially after the Islamist 9/11 and then 7/7 terrorist attacks in New York 2001 and London 2005. But until the last few years there has not been a simultaneous threat against all three British communities of Jewish, Black and Muslim Britons – meaning the need for Searchlight has never been greater.

Peter Hain
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minster

Alf Dubs

Lord Alf Dubs

Searchlight’s voice is more important than ever, and I am delighted that it will now be available to a wider audience than ever before in its new incarnation online. Searchlight has been extremely helpful over the years in exposing the far right, corruption, criminality and the murky links between organised crime and powerful interests in the UK and abroad. I wish Searchlight the very best.

Alf Dubs
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minister, and Kindertransport child

Paul Nowak

Paul Nowak

The essence of trade unionism is solidarity, fairness and equality – for all workers – from all backgrounds. That’s why our fight against the far-right has always been part of our movement’s DNA. Searchlight is an incredibly important resource for trade unions and members to understand the contemporary tactics of far-right activity. Their work and intelligence gathering over the years have been incredibly insightful for the work we do, and how we fight the scourge of fascism.

Paul Nowak
TUC General Secretary

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2 responses to “Is a UKIP undertaking worth the paper it’s written on? It appears not…”

  1. Royal Toff

    I thought allowing Unwin (friend of the jailed brothel-keeper) to stand for Christchurch MP showed UKIP scraping a hole through the bottom of the barrel, but with these…….. I better be careful. Does anyone have any ideas of any pronoun preferences of the Many Splendoured Pair?

  2. Watchman

    Since when has UKIP, or its leader, indulging in a taste for Giant Gobstopping Humbugs been News?

    Ignoring that Never-Removable Ultra-Permanent Bogus Chairman Benjamin Lee Walker has been the de facto UKIP Leader for three or four years and forever more, Lois Perry is a strong contender for the title of the looniest ever UKIP “leader”. Or for the craziest “leader” of any registered political party that ever won a seat in a public election in the U.K.

    I think you have Special Needs to check her out more thoroughly.