UKIP (North West) Leadership Hustings

So, yesterday evening I attended Hustings in Bolton at Hardy Hall in Little Lever. The meeting was open to the UKIP membership and wasn't open to the public.

I'd never attended any Hustings before, and after the news last week that Gerard Batten had been disallowed to stand in the Party Leadership race I wasn't holding out much hope, as he was my choice. I didn't really know much if anything about the other candidates.

The candidates were:

• Freddy Vachha

• Richard Braine

• Ben Walker

• Helena Windsor

• Mike Hookem

Each of the five candidates made their opening address telling us what their vision for UKIP would be should they be elected leader by our membership. They all have similar views, but with notable differences.

The floor was then open to pre-approved questions - this was only so that the same question wasn't asked more than once. Lots of questions were put to the candidates and each took their turn in answering. It took hours! We had a comfort break halfway through though.

I'm not going to say what was said as there is probably a video circulating, which was filmed on the night, so I'll let you watch it yourself.

After, they each gave a closing speech and then the candidates hung around chatting to us all on a 1-to-1 basis.

After hearing all of the candidates and chatting to a few of them I think I have made up my mind who I'm voting for. If it goes the way I want it to then my faith in UKIP will be restored (Especially after what the NEC did last week). Depending on who wins will determine the direction of UKIP and possibly my direction in politics.

Click for photos

Update 20/712019 - Video recorded for the UKIP Official Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ukipofficial