Libertas launches the party in the UK

[CookieMonster]

I blogged about this earlier today here.

Today at a press conference in London Libertas announced their intention to stand candidates in the European Elections on June 4th.

Below are some videos from the conference and more can be found on the Libertas UK youtube page.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4WKN9CXYOM]YouTube - Libertas Launch Q&A (Part 1)[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0yKSCM5ByA]YouTube - Libertas Launch Q&A (Part 2)[/ame]

[toxic avenger]

I have to say again that I think it's a big mistake - they don't have a natural constituency to appeal to, certainly none that isn't already spoken for, and I foresee lost deposits where they try. Eurosceptics won't vote for them, they'll vote UKIP because Libertas aren't Eurosceptics, while those who are more open to the EU but still sceptical will generally vote Tory. It's not that I wish lost deposits upon them, but I feel that they are wasting their time in Britain. I could yet still be proven wrong, but I wouldn't put money on it...

[setanta]

Also announced by the Great Leader is that the person chosen to lead Liebertas' efforts in the UK is Lt Col Robin Matthews, former communications officer, i.e. spin/lie merchant, for the British war machine in Helmand Province, Afghanistan who is also an employee of, drum roll ... yes you've guessed it, Decko Ganley himself.

Great stuff, CM. Another British security reject turns up as a senior oficial of Liebertas. That'll go down really well along the auld bog roads of County Galway when Ganners goes calling for votes.

[seabhcan]

This should be fun.

[eurosceptic]

I agree with TA i dont see where the room is for a eurocritical party in the UK. Hardline eurosceptics will vote for UKIP or even the BNP. Moderate euroscpetics/eurocritics will vote for the tories. But i am sure decko has a plan.

[myk]

I read the Times report on this. Ganley said at yesterday's launch;

Almost 80 per cent of laws that change the daily lives of Britons come from Brussels, and those laws are drafted by unelected, unaccountable civil servants. Brussels does not want to answer to the people of Europe. We want to bring the EU back to its people,” said Mr Ganley, who told reporters he would not fund the campaign with his own money.

surely most laws everywhere are drafted by civil servants....

[mccafferty cat]

As I showed on another thread recently, the resurgence of the Conservative Party has already crowded out the centre/right as a place to set up shop. UKIP has seen its support fall away by anything between 50% and 80% since 2004 and can expect a near-wipeout next June. It's hard to see voters flocking to a UKIP-clone in any great numbers.

surely most laws everywhere are drafted by civil servants....

This shows how naive Ganley is when it comes to politics. He seems to think that politicians should spend all of their time physically drafting legislation.

In any functioning democratic system, it is the politicians (Council of Ministers, chiefly) who set the policy agenda and make the ultimate decision, whereas it is their secretariat (Commission and its civil service staff) who do the drafting and then enforce the day-to-day implementation.

If Ganners is elected to the EP, I look forward to him sitting in a scriptorium in the dark for 5 years, writing like a medieval monk with a quill and ink. (Writing legislation, of course, not legal writs and threatening letters)

[sandar]

I have to say again that I think it's a big mistake - they don't have a natural constituency to appeal to, certainly none that isn't already spoken for, and I foresee lost deposits where they try. Eurosceptics won't vote for them, they'll vote UKIP because Libertas aren't Eurosceptics, while those who are more open to the EU but still sceptical will generally vote Tory. It's not that I wish lost deposits upon them, but I feel that they are wasting their time in Britain. I could yet still be proven wrong, but I wouldn't put money on it...

UKIP are a mess at the moment not even defedning all of the seats they won at the last election as far as i know

[seabhcan]

Mr Ganley will launch Libertas in France today.

Seems like hes going for broke.

[mccafferty cat]

Mr. Ganley's anti-Europe pals in other countries continue to fare poorly. The PiS (UEN party of the Polish President Kaczyinski) have seen the ruling OP (members of the EPP) increase their huge poll lead. In a poll today they now trail by 27% to the OP's 50% and face being crushed in the June European elections