Lieutenant-General Jonathon Riley joins UKIP

Press Office • Jan 19, 2021

Lt-Gen Jonathon Riley has rejoined UKIP and has been appointed as the party's Defence & Veterans spokesman

Lieutenant-General Jonathon Riley announces he is joining UKIP as the party’s Defence and Veterans Spokesman.

Jonathon joined the Army in 1973 and was commissioned the following year. Since then he has served peacetime tours of duty in Britain, the USA, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Kenya and Cyprus. He taught at Sandhurst from 1984-1986, attended the Staff College Camberley as a student in 1987, and taught there in 1993. He was the Deputy Commandant of the Staff College, responsible for the Higher Command and Staff Course – the senior course in the college – as well as all courses for Army students, from 2001 – 2003. He has been Chief of Staff of an armoured brigade and an armoured division.

He has commanded on operations in every rank, including being Commanding Officer, 1st Royal Welch Fusiliers in Goražde during 1995; Commander 1 Mechanized Brigade in Bosnia in 1998, Deputy Commanding General Multi-National Division (South-West) in Bosnia, 1998 – 1999; Deputy Commanding General, Coalition Military Advisory and Training Team, Iraq, 2003 – 2004; Commanding General, Multi-National Division (South-East) and General Officer Commanding British Forces Iraq, 2004 – 2005; and Deputy Commanding General of all NATO forces in Afghanistan, 2007 – 2009.

Lt-Gen Riley said:

“I first joined UKIP back in 2012 because I believed passionately that we had to regain our national sovereignty, the control of our laws and our borders, and escape the unelected, unaccountable tyranny of the EU Commission. Without in any way taking away the credit from the current government for having finalised the deal, it is because of the pressure applied by UKIP that we embarked on the road to liberty.

“Like many others, I left the party because it had lost its way and I did not agree with the views of those who took charge at that time – but I never let go of the original objectives of UKIP. I am now rejoining the party, which is being revitalised and re-focused under the leadership of Neil Hamilton.

“The first part of why I am making this move is that although we are now out of the EU, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement contains unresolved issues which mean that UKIP’s work is not yet done. In my particular area of defence and security, there is uncertainty over fisheries and what security measures may be needed in five years’ time; there remains the possibility that our servicemen and women may be subjected to malicious prosecutions resulting from service abroad; and there remains the danger that we will be sucked into EU defence structures via the Horizon Europe project – structures that while incapable of any real action, detract from the resources available to NATO. 

“Aside from that, there also remains the scourge of mental illness and homelessness among veterans. Government seems willing to leave this to charities – which do wonderful work – while throwing our taxpayers’ money away on foreign aid.

“UKIP wants to see no homeless veterans in this country by 2025.

“I am also rejoining the Party because I fear for the future of our way of life. The current governments in London, Edinburgh and Cardiff, seconded by all the major opposition parties, have embarked on a path of destroying the civil liberties of our people built up over centuries; of smashing businesses, jobs and livelihoods; of setting democracy at naught. They are doing this under the cover of controlling Covid 19, a virus which we know to be dangerous to a very small number of people.

“I believe we are being systematically lied to by governments that have developed a dangerous taste for tyranny and I cannot remain silent, after 40 year’s military service, while they do this. In the political arena, only UKIP is saying NO to this – apart from a tiny number of brave Tory MPs led by “Graham Brady. If UKIP is saying NO then this is the party for me and for anyone who shares a belief in liberty.”


In response to Jonathon joining, UKIP Leader Neil Hamilton MS said:

"I am thrilled to welcome back Lieutenant-General Jonathan Riley to the party.

"Jonathan's knowledge on defence and veteran's issues is second to none and his experience during his time in our armed forces speaks for itself.

"I am delighted that someone of Jonathan's rank and calibre will be front and centre of party policy-making. UKIP is bouncing back better than ever and we are ready to take the fight to the LibLabCon consensus who have never truly appreciated the service of our veterans."

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