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Nigel Farage 'frustrated' over UKIP policy-making | Nigel Farage 'frustrated' over UKIP policy-making |
(35 minutes later) | |
UKIP leader Nigel Farage says he is frustrated he cannot make sweeping changes to the way the party makes policy and recruits members. | UKIP leader Nigel Farage says he is frustrated he cannot make sweeping changes to the way the party makes policy and recruits members. |
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he wants to slash joining fees from £30 to £10 and let members vote online to decide policy. | He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he wants to slash joining fees from £30 to £10 and let members vote online to decide policy. |
Mr Farage said: "I'm frustrated that this idea which has been around for a long time hasn't been put into action. | Mr Farage said: "I'm frustrated that this idea which has been around for a long time hasn't been put into action. |
"And frankly I don't have the power and ability to do this myself." | "And frankly I don't have the power and ability to do this myself." |
Leading figures in UKIP suspect he is set to rebrand the party after the EU referendum in June. | Leading figures in UKIP suspect he is set to rebrand the party after the EU referendum in June. |
Some also believe he could try to launch a new political movement. | Some also believe he could try to launch a new political movement. |
'Sense of grievance' | 'Sense of grievance' |
The UKIP leader is an admirer of the anti-establishment activist Beppe Grillo whose Five Star Movement has become a major force in Italian politics, driven in part by engaging with voters online. | The UKIP leader is an admirer of the anti-establishment activist Beppe Grillo whose Five Star Movement has become a major force in Italian politics, driven in part by engaging with voters online. |
Some of Mr Farage's colleagues suspect he could use voter data collected by the Leave.EU referendum campaign and funds from its backer Arron Banks to embark on a fresh political project. | Some of Mr Farage's colleagues suspect he could use voter data collected by the Leave.EU referendum campaign and funds from its backer Arron Banks to embark on a fresh political project. |
Mr Banks himself has been quoted suggesting UKIP could be rebranded or disbanded. | Mr Banks himself has been quoted suggesting UKIP could be rebranded or disbanded. |
One UKIP politician said: "That is clearly the strand of thinking at the top. | One UKIP politician said: "That is clearly the strand of thinking at the top. |
"They're not particularly interested in winning the referendum and they'd rather replicate the SNP scenario which is lose the primary objective of the party but create such a sense of grievance you win in the polls and do rather well." | "They're not particularly interested in winning the referendum and they'd rather replicate the SNP scenario which is lose the primary objective of the party but create such a sense of grievance you win in the polls and do rather well." |
Another said rumours of a move of this sort had circulated for months, and added: "It would be very interesting how UKIP supporters would take a view of Nigel planning to disband the party with a clickocracy." | Another said rumours of a move of this sort had circulated for months, and added: "It would be very interesting how UKIP supporters would take a view of Nigel planning to disband the party with a clickocracy." |
Leadership contest? | Leadership contest? |
A recent report suggesting there could be a secret post-referendum plan has prompted intense discussions between senior UKIP figures about the possibility of radical change. | A recent report suggesting there could be a secret post-referendum plan has prompted intense discussions between senior UKIP figures about the possibility of radical change. |
Sources close to Mr Farage insist there are no such plans, but acknowledge the party's structure and direction is a constant source of debate. | Sources close to Mr Farage insist there are no such plans, but acknowledge the party's structure and direction is a constant source of debate. |
His critics believe he is planning an upheaval to protect his position after the referendum, which will be held on 23 June on whether the UK will remain a member of the European Union or not. | His critics believe he is planning an upheaval to protect his position after the referendum, which will be held on 23 June on whether the UK will remain a member of the European Union or not. |
They accuse him of seeking a flood of new members, like those who flocked to vote for Jeremy Corbyn during Labour's leadership election, to strengthen his support. | They accuse him of seeking a flood of new members, like those who flocked to vote for Jeremy Corbyn during Labour's leadership election, to strengthen his support. |
Many in UKIP, including some vigorous supporters of Mr Farage, think a leadership contest after the referendum is inevitable. | Many in UKIP, including some vigorous supporters of Mr Farage, think a leadership contest after the referendum is inevitable. |
Internal tensions were heightened after the former deputy chairwoman Suzanne Evans was suspended. | Internal tensions were heightened after the former deputy chairwoman Suzanne Evans was suspended. |
Responding to the story, Ms Evans tweeted: "Policy can't be made at the click of a mouse. It's far, far more complex than counting a set of instant opinions." |