Tommy Robinson 'inspires' Ukip membership surge in Walsall
The chairman of Walsall's Ukip branch says membership of the town's group has rocketed since Tommy Robinson got involved with the party.
Former English Defence League leader Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was appointed an advisor to Ukip leader Gerard Batten in November 2018.
The move was condemned by the party's former leader Nigel Farage and many prominent Ukip members, leading to the resignations of eight MEPs.
But according to Walsall's Ukip chairman Graham Eardley, Mr Robinson's connection with the party has been good for membership.
"We have seen a significant increase in members since Mr Yaxley-Lennon became involved in the party," he said.
"He has clearly attracted people to Ukip.
"I can understand why some people are upset by his demeanor, but whichever way you look at it he does attract more people than he repels."
Mr Eardley was unable to provide current branch membership figures, but across the country around 8,000 people are reported to have joined the party in the last 12 months.
Far right activist Mr Robinson is the Ukip leader's advisor on rape gangs and prison reform, although he is banned from becoming an official member of the party.
He is facing a legal hearing over whether he committed contempt of court during a grooming gang trial.
Ukip has been widely accused of lurching towards the far right since Mr Batten took over as leader in February 2018.
He has pushed anti-Islam policies, and survived a no confidence vote in his leadership in December by an overwhelming majority.
West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge, who quit Ukip last October, said the party was now aimed at a "hardline" right-wing audience.
"Ukip now has a more nationalist outlook and while I have no ill feeling towards activists, it is certainly not the party it was a few years ago," he said.
The Walsall branch is fielding 10 candidates in the borough for next month's local elections, three more than it did last year.
It is fighting the campaign under the banner of "Ukip – Make Brexit Happen".
Mr Eardley, who is a former parliamentary candidate for seats in Sandwell and Wolverhampton, said: "Every vote we get is a message to the main parties that we want out of the EU.
"And the best way out is a 'no deal' Brexit."
