Not only attended by many members of the branch and other friends, but also by Party Chairman, Steve Crowther; SWCC and Devon County Chairman Tony McIntyre; Jenny Knight, Gloucestershire Chairman and Councillor Ian Morell, Taunton Deane Borough Council. Members from Devon and Weston-super-Mare and Yeovil also swelled the throng.
Speaking after lunch, Neil’s wide-ranging, witty address covered many aspects of the UK’s history from Magna Carta onwards to the UK’s entry into the then Common Market and beyond.
An MP under Margaret Thatcher, as Minister for Corporate Affairs at the DTI responsible for all trade issues in John Major’s government, he was a Member of the Council of Ministers from '92 to '94.
Mr Hamilton ended by touching on the present political situation in which Britain is embroiled and commented on the current debate as to whether the British electorate will at last be granted an ‘In/Out’ referendum on the question of membership of the European Union.
He said that given the extreme pressure on David Cameron from all sides, an ‘In/Out’ referendum not only seems likely, but is inevitable.
Following a round of warm applause from the large number of UKIP members, supporters and friends present, Dorothy Baker, Chairman of UKIP Taunton Deane, formally thanked Neil and Christine for their contributions to the success of the event, before everyone made their way home, replete and happy.
A superb raffle had been organised by Barry Morris (Treasurer) and his wife Ann which made a substantial sum for the branch fighting fund. Guess who won the first prize, a well-stocked Christmas hamper? None other than our local Tory Borough Councillor Ian Morell!
