|
|
Note: I publish this correspondence because it asks the Candidlist questions of a candidate, and I am interested in whatever answer may be given. I have not asked Mr Muir or any other person to put these questions to Mrs Chester, nor was I told that the questions would be put before receiving the e-mail given below. However, any person is entitled to put the questions to any candidate. Though Mr Muir is evidently asking the questions because he hopes they will be useful to UKIP, Candidlist does not endorse any political party. For the moment, I have reclassified Mrs Chesters to a don't know - though I will not necessarily do this with every candidate that others approach. Sean Gabb
Simon D. Muir <simonm@muircom.demon.co.uk> to Pamela Chesters <pam.chesters@bristolwestconservatives.com> Mrs. Pamela Chesters
cc. Anthony Scammell, Democracy Movement Bristol
Dear Mrs. Chesters, It was good to meet you the other day, albeit briefly. I was interested to discover that we agree on many topics, but saddened and a little surprised to hear you uttering the stock Conservative phrase of "in Europe but not run by Europe," with regard to questions of Economic and Monetary Union, also your strange view that the UK economy has somehow collapsed to the position of ninth (?) largest in the world. The most recent information I have lists it as fourth largest (after the USA, Japan and Germany). Dr. Sean Gabb, who, as you may know, runs the 'Candidlist' web directory
of parliamentary candidates, lists you as a 'Eurosceptic.' This is at variance
with the answers you gave at the FSB meeting a fortnight ago. To be listed
as a 'sceptic under Dr. Gabb's rules requires a "Yes" to
1) If elected or re-elected to Parliament, would you oppose our joining the Eurozone even if joining were to be recommended by the Party leadership?It will be evident that these questions raise the issue of principle, and that a pragmatic "only for the next parliament" response (on EMU) would not be an affirmative response. No doubt you are aware of the very small margin by which William Waldegrave lost Bristol West in the 1997 general election (roughly 1500 votes), and the fact that around 800 people voted for the Referendum Party. It is probable that, had the RP not campaigned, the outcome would have been different. UKIP members in the constituency are accordingly keen to know unambiguously where you stand on the general issue of the sovereignty which the United Kingdom has already (and may yet) cede to the European Union. I would therefore be grateful if you would respond, either directly to the questions above, or, preferably, by way of a public meeting at which direct questions may be put. I have in mind a non-partisan chairman, for example from the local branch of the Democracy Movement, but would welcome your views on this. I have copied this letter to Anthony Scammell, who is the local DM Branch Secretary. Yours sincerely, Simon D. Muir
|