And in a little more news for you...
Discussion
Could someone explain why this is a good thing?
You may have read or heard in the news, that MAG’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Lembit Öpik was on the campaign trail during the Rochester and Strood by-election. Helping independent candidate Charlotte Rose’s campaign wasn’t the only reason he was there. He was also there to collect on a promise made by Nigel Farage MEP, the leader of the UK Independence Party, to join MAG the next time they met. While you might not agree with UKIP’s policies, Nigel Farage has kept his promise.
He is the first of the leaders of the various political parties to join. This now sets a precedent for the other party leaders that they will not be able to refuse in fear of Farage leading the way. Lembit Öpik said about Nigel Farage joining MAG: "You don’t have to be a UKIP voter to recognise the significance of a man like Farage joining MAG’s ranks. Other party leaders have been approached, but Nigel has actually done something about it. With 1.5 million active riders, and another 4 million fully qualified motorcycle licence holders in the UK, there are a huge number of electors who care about riders’ rights. So often, they’ve been frustrated by the lack of political respect and attention given to users of powered two wheelers, despite the obvious benefits in terms of reduced pollution, reduced cost and reduced congestion compared to a car.
More forward-looking MPs already get it, which is why we have so many friends in Parliament. "What do I say to those who have objections to UKIP’s stance on the European Union? It’s simple: members are perfectly entitled to hold any political views they like. But my duty is to find allies, and to nurture relationships with people who matter in the national and international political world. Nigel Farage and his growing movement have much potential to influence policy-shaping decisions that matter to us in the run up to the British General Election and beyond. It would be a utterly foolish to miss out on the golden opportunity his positivity towards us presents.”This marks a massive change in MAG’s political fortunes since the appointment of Lembit Öpik a year ago (his appointment was announced at last year’s Motorcycle Live). MAG still remains politically neutral and will not align to any political party. The MPs (and now one of the MEPs for the South East of England) cover a wide political spectrum, including the Scottish National Party. We are already close to getting the other parties on board, including the Greens, after the success of Brighton MAG's bus lane campaign.
MAG is seen as the riders’ voice in the heart of power
You may have read or heard in the news, that MAG’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Lembit Öpik was on the campaign trail during the Rochester and Strood by-election. Helping independent candidate Charlotte Rose’s campaign wasn’t the only reason he was there. He was also there to collect on a promise made by Nigel Farage MEP, the leader of the UK Independence Party, to join MAG the next time they met. While you might not agree with UKIP’s policies, Nigel Farage has kept his promise.
He is the first of the leaders of the various political parties to join. This now sets a precedent for the other party leaders that they will not be able to refuse in fear of Farage leading the way. Lembit Öpik said about Nigel Farage joining MAG: "You don’t have to be a UKIP voter to recognise the significance of a man like Farage joining MAG’s ranks. Other party leaders have been approached, but Nigel has actually done something about it. With 1.5 million active riders, and another 4 million fully qualified motorcycle licence holders in the UK, there are a huge number of electors who care about riders’ rights. So often, they’ve been frustrated by the lack of political respect and attention given to users of powered two wheelers, despite the obvious benefits in terms of reduced pollution, reduced cost and reduced congestion compared to a car.
More forward-looking MPs already get it, which is why we have so many friends in Parliament. "What do I say to those who have objections to UKIP’s stance on the European Union? It’s simple: members are perfectly entitled to hold any political views they like. But my duty is to find allies, and to nurture relationships with people who matter in the national and international political world. Nigel Farage and his growing movement have much potential to influence policy-shaping decisions that matter to us in the run up to the British General Election and beyond. It would be a utterly foolish to miss out on the golden opportunity his positivity towards us presents.”This marks a massive change in MAG’s political fortunes since the appointment of Lembit Öpik a year ago (his appointment was announced at last year’s Motorcycle Live). MAG still remains politically neutral and will not align to any political party. The MPs (and now one of the MEPs for the South East of England) cover a wide political spectrum, including the Scottish National Party. We are already close to getting the other parties on board, including the Greens, after the success of Brighton MAG's bus lane campaign.
MAG is seen as the riders’ voice in the heart of power
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff