David believes he can offer Eastern Region members and voters unique experience of Politics, Policy, Party, Communications and Campaigning, as follows:
David’s Political Experience
On Politics, David has been active in UKIP and Conservative Party politics for 25 years.
This is a summary of his political experience to date:
Making speeches at rallies, major universities ( such as winning debates at Cambridge Union and Glasgow University, and Trinity College Dublin ), public meetings and events in Eastern and all round the UK
Working for UKIP MEPs
Being elected member of NEC with second highest vote in 2007
Being made UKIP Deputy Leader and Head of Policy by Nigel Farage October 2006
Special Adviser to Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on peace process 1996-97, responsible for speech writing, article writing, media handling,
Chairman, The Bow Group 1993-94 - credited with turning group around financially and with scale of activity. Previously Political Officer, organising speaker events. Chaired meetings with Prime Minister John Major and senior Cabinet Ministers
Organiser of major Fringe meetings at Conservative Conference including one with Norman Lamont ( Bow Group ) with 750 delegates and huge media interest, and major investment Conference with 5 Ministers and 10 leading Chief Executives
Chairman, The Transport Committee, the Bow Group 1987-93.
David’s Policy Experience
On Policy, David serves the Party as Head of Policy, overseeing the generation of 18 policy papers and the full range of manifestos for elections. This is a summary of his policy experience to date:
Commissioning, editing and launching of 18 UKIP policy papers (ongoing)
Chairman of the Constitutional and Transport policy groups; writer of Transport policy paper
Writer of manifestos for local elections 2006/7, Welsh and Scottish UKIP manifestos
Assisting John Whittaker on research and writing of UKIP General Election Manifesto 2005, with substantial draft policy ‘pack’ for consideration
Saving the ‘Gatwick Express’ rail link through a strategy and policy paper for airlines
Writing policy papers for large organisations, including for passenger rail (ATOC)
Special Adviser to Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on Peace Process - wrote policy papers for consideration by Ministers and Whitehall
Adviser on Manifesto to four Conservative Transport Ministers
Overseeing Local Council policy on transport and initiated transportation strategy for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council as Chairman of Highways
Chairman of Building Control, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Supplying policy input and papers to an MP
Chairman of the Bow Group, a think tank with 100 MPs, overseeing research papers
Writing major transport policy paper, ‘Levelling the Tracks’ ( Bow Group )
Writing Eurosceptic paper advocating returning powers from EU ( Bow Group ).
Deputy Leader and Head of Policy, UKIP October 2006 -
PPC South Suffolk October 2007 -
Party Chairman, UKIP December 2005 - October 2006
NEC member December 2005 to date ( coopted then elected 2007 )
Member, Eastern and London Areas.
David’s Communications Experience
David offers professional expertise ranging from TV/Broadcast interviews through to newsletter/press release writing and communications strategies. His experience includes:
Attending all Eastern Region media training sessions as a PPC
Writing press releases and obtaining coverage in East Anglian Daily Times etc
Being interviewed for UKIP on BBC TV News, Sky TV News, BBC Radio 4 ‘Today’ Programme, BBC Radio 5 Live and variety of other TV and radio programmes
Training CEOs and senior directors for TV media interviews and for facing select committee hearings as a PR Consultant
Being media trained by senior Sky News Political Reporter and by Conservative Party
Interviews for companies and politics for variety of top TV and radio programmes
PR Consultant with expertise in media, external and internal communications
Public Affairs Director, international PR agency, 2005-06
Head of Communications for 40 website group, United News & Media plc 2000
Giving evidence in Public Inquiries regarding planning threats
Communications Director for the passenger railways ( ATOC ) 1997-99
Communications Manager, Channel Tunnel Rail Link ( CTRL ) 1993-94
Advertising Agencies experience 1980s, with top brands such as Sony, Imperial Leather, Midland Bank, R.Whites and Orangina.
David’s Campaigning Experience
David has a base in Eastern already, with the use of a house in Castle Hedingham, North Essex, and is already campaigning for South Suffolk. His campaigning experience includes:
General Election 2005 - UKIP PPC for North Cornwall - kept deposit, achieved 5.5% and raised UKIP vote by 1.1%. Set out campaign strategy including media
By elections - supporting candidates through rallies, canvassing, leafleting
Scottish Parliamentary Elections - launched manifesto and candidate
Welsh Assembly Elections - helped launch manifesto and training
General Election 2001 - Conservative PPC for Warwick & Leamington - achieved 20,155 votes
General Election 1997 - Scottish Conservatives PPC for Glasgow Rutherglen - kept deposit with over 3000 votes
General Election 1992 - Election Adviser to Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Edinburgh Pentlands, including standing in for him at local question times
US Presidential Elections 1992 - observed Bush-Quayle Campaign in Washington DC; attended welcome home rally for President at the White House
Local Election 1992 - Tunbridge Wells Borough Council - elected as councilllor for Park Ward with 270 Votes. Served 1992-96
Local Election 1990 - Tunbridge Wells Borough Council - stood against Lib Dem Leader and cut her majority by 200 in a close fought race
US Presidential Elections 1988 - observed Dukakis Democrat Campaign in Boston, Massachusetts, USA with Senator Paul Harold. Made honorary citizen of Quincy !
General Election 1987 - assisted Sir Patrick Mayhew MP in Tunbridge Wells
General Election 1983 - assisted Michael Ancram MP in Edinburgh South.
David trusts the people. He says: “What we need in Britain is a democratic revolution !” - power should be transferred back to the people at all levels.
On Policy, David serves the Party as Head of Policy, overseeing the generation of 18 policy papers and the full range of manifestos for elections. This is a summary of his policy experience to date: