The future of the UKIP branch in South Holland and the Deepings is in doubt after resignations.
District council member and branch chairman Paul Foyster, branch secretary Geoff Garner and treasurerRobert Gibson have all said the branch will wind-up unless others come forward.
The actions of party leaders at national level have been blamed for the action with current leader Henry Bolton, accused of “very poor judgement.”
UKIP was left in turmoil after alleged racist remarks by his former partner were revealed, but he refused to resign his position.
“In my opinion it is the last straw in a long saga of senior level mismanagement, poor leadership since the referendum and complete failure to concentrate on the UKIP core responsibility to campaign for a satisfactory Brexit,” said Mr Foyster in a statement (see page 8).
He said that he, Mr Garner and Mr Gibson would liked to have left immediately, but had a responsibility to branch members.
All three branch officers are now “caretaker managers” of the branch and if replacements can’t be found the branch is likely to close in March.
“I will take no personal part in national level UKIP activity except essential administration and I will leave the branch and the party immediately after the March meeting,” said Mr Foyster.
“Unless other members come forward to fill the positions we will vacate, that meeting will vote on a proposal to wind-up the branch at once,” he said.
“I will become an independent member for South Holland District Council and concentrate on even more local matters.
“I have always been an independent member of Holbeach Parish Council, was elected in that capacity and will continue to be politically active in order to do my best at all levels.” said Mr Foyster.
“We have spent a great deal of time helping to force the referendum and to win it, though we fear Parliament and others wish to retain as much EU as possible.”
Peter Williams, a UKIP member on the district council, has yet to make a decision on his political future.
But he and his wife are selling The Punchbowl, their Spalding business, and looking to move elsewhere.
“My friend Peter Williams and I are discussing our options,” said Mr Foyster.
UKIP has no council members at county level after last year’s election – having originally had a total of 16 after the 2013 elections.
