Ukip to get £1.5 million from the EU

From traffic jams on the M4 to council tax arrears, Britain’s membership of the EU is the cause of all our problems. So Ukip’s mantra drones on. That is, until the question of money comes up.

It’s emerged that Ukip could get over £1.5 million from the EU because they’ve registered to be part of the Alliance for Direct Democracy in Europe (ADDE) – new pan-European party.

Newsnight has found that the ADDE is entitled to £1million of EU funds (the approval of the application is expected next week, and the money will most likely be given to them in April 2015) – as well as £580,000 from a foundation that will support the party. And because Ukip MEPs make up the majority of the party’s members (21 out of the 27), they have control over how the money is used.

These funds are usually allocated to parties promoting EU integration. Yet, Roger Helmer UKIP MEP said the party could use the money for research and promoting UKIP’s ideas – although it can’t be used on general election campaigning.

This money will be added to a pot of £2.1 million UKIP already received last year from the EU as part of it’s involvement with the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy group (EFDD).

This has ignited internal fractures within the party, particularly as they voted on, and decided against, accepting EU funding by establishing a party similar to ADDE.

However, Helmer has defended the decision by arguing

“We are going to be criticised by those who say ‘you should turn your back on this money, you should take a principled stand and refuse it. But it doesn’t make any difference to the taxpayer.

“If we don’t take the money, it will not go back to the member state of the taxpayer. It will simply go to those other foundations committed to further European integration.”

“We think that if there are resources available, we want to get them.