Ukip tried to rebrand as Patriotic Alliance on ballot papers in attempt to stay relevant
THE UK Independent Party considered rebranding itself as the Patriotic Alliance in a bid to become electorally relevant again after Brexit, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.
The Eurosceptic party lodged a formal application during the election campaign on May 11 by applying to the electoral watchdog to register the description the “Patriotic Alliance”.
The application was described as applying to Ukip for “all of Great Britain”.
It would have allowed the party to use the name on ballot papers. Parties are legally allowed to use either a party name or a description alongside a candidate’s name on ballot papers.
The application was rejected last month on the grounds that it “does not meet the requirements of a description”, the Electoral Commission said. The news was a surprise for former Ukip donor Arron Banks who unveiled his own plans in March to launch his own party called the Patriotic Alliance.
He said then that the “alliance aims to not only burst the Westminster bubble, but drain the swamp too”.
He added: “We have an ambitious plan to assist independent candidates to win seats in Parliament from the most corrupt and negligent MPS.”
Mr Banks told The Telegraph this weekend that he will launch his new political movement in the next few months but regarded the Patriotic Alliance as only a working title. He said that Ukip’s actions had been “desperate” and said Ukip needed “a change of attitude and a change of policies”.
A Ukip spokesman said that the application had been made by Paul Nuttall, the former leader who quit after the party’s dismal showing in the poll.
He added: “At the time Paul was talking about rebrands. There was no point having an option on the table if someone else had taken the name.
“The name was registered as an insurance policy. Is it likely to change its name to that? No. The chances are slim to nil.”
Ukip said on Friday said that 11 candidates will stand for Ukip leader. The winner will be announced at the party’s annual conference next month.