Let them take drugs, says Ukip quest speaker (From Bournemouth Echo)

Let them take drugs, says Ukip quest speaker

7:34am Saturday 6th September 2008 in

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THE UK Independence Party's Bournemouth conference kicked off yesterday with a controversial call to legalise all drugs.

The provocative statement was made by guest speaker James Whale and left many party delegates "stunned and appalled".

Party representatives were quick to stress that the former TalkSport presenter's views are not official party policy.

But they also insist they are "not afraid" to debate big issues that other parties shy away from.

Mr Whale, who was fired from his late-night radio phone-in show when he urged listeners to vote for Boris Johnson in the mayoral elections, also suggested Britain should join the Euro.

Gawain Taylor, Ukip's prospective parliamentary candidate for North Dorset, said: "I think James Whale managed to upset every single person in the room, for different reasons.

"He called for complete legalisation of all drugs but suggested they should be licensed and regulated.

"He said he didn't want to see people jacking up in public, just like he doesn't want to see people drinking in public, but he doesn't feel drugs should be banned.

"We don't support that line but, as he made clear, he doesn't support any political party.

"He wasn't representing the party."

When asked whether he felt Mr Whale had damaged Ukip's reputation, he said: "Of course not.

"I think why not raise the debate?' "His position is that the bans and prohibitions don't seem to work, that there are more people taking heroin than ever before and that maybe if it was legalised, it would be less invasive to society.

"From Ukip's perspective, we don't go along with that - but it's an issue that should be raised and debated and we are not afraid of that.

"There were people in the hall who applauded that statement, others looked absolutely appalled.

"He was interesting and provocative but that's what he does. We're not afraid of that."