Advice and background from ALDC and Lib Dem HQ on how to approach UKIP in the forthcoming local elections on May 22nd.
With just under 100 days to go UKIP have the ability as to destabilise the established dynamics of many local elections campaigns up and down the UK. They are not the first group to do so and probably won’t be the last but activists and supporters can be unnerved by an “unknown” in an already difficult electoral climate when we are defending 700 plus councils seats in England.
Many will feel strange to be lumped by UKIP supporters as part of “them”; part of the establishment as we have been instinctively on the side of those fighting Labour and Tory town hall bosses. Others will simply be repulsed by their anti- europeanism and racism. But understanding where UKIP’s voters are coming from and how we should approach it are important.
It’s important however not to panic. But it’s also important not to believe that it’s our job, alone, to respond to their lies. It’s a natural instinct for many liberal democrats to assume that if we simply pointed out UKIPs factual errors and their representatives’ failings, then people would not vote for them. Sadly that’s not the case as the rest of this factsheet will make clear. As local election candidates emphasising our traditional virtues of hardwork and community politics will be your strongest argument for the local elections.
Stick to your local messages
Work out what your messages are for your ward, using the grids and guidance available on the ALDC website and stick to them. Part of that message should be about Europe but it’s better to focus on our positive message about jobs in Europe rather than being diverted on to their territory.
ALDC members can log on and download the factsheet here
ALDC-LDHQ Briefing on UKIP in the 2014 Elections