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The UK Independence Party (UKIP) today announced it has appointed veteran election campaigner James Pryor as the Party’s campaign director, ahead of the forthcoming general election.Pryor (pictured right), former Head of Presentation for the Conservative Party under both former Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major, as well as the late Sir James Goldsmith’s Referendum Party, has spearheaded 15 election campaigns around the world, including the UK, Caribbean and Africa.
Speaking today, UKIP leader Lord Pearson of Rannoch commented:
“Having come second at the European election, beating both Labour and the Lib/Dems, we have already demonstrated that UKIP is now a major force in British politics. The general election is an opportunity for UKIP to cement the Party’s credentials and former electoral success, once again providing voters in Britain with a credible alternative to the major political parties at the ballot box.
“We’re delighted to have secured James’services as our Campaign Director. He brings with him an undisputed pedigree in electioneering, both here in the UK and overseas, as well as a wealth of understanding of the structures and mechanisms of modern political campaigning. Having James join us is a fantastic coup for the Party and he will begin work in shaping UKIP’s election campaign immediately.”
James Pryor will work with UKIP’s leadership and election strategy teams to build up the Party’s general election campaign over the coming weeks, from UKIP’s newly-established Westminster-based election headquarters and with an associated support team.
James Pryor commented:
“I’m extremely pleased to be heading UKIP’s general election team as its Campaign Director.
“The next few weeks are going to an exciting time, not only in terms of mapping out the shape of the campaign ahead, but also in defining the campaign’s key platforms and ensuring every aspect of the Party’s structure is fully integrated into the campaign effort.
“The Party’s success at the European Election, beating Labour into third place, was a testament to UKIP’s broad support across the country. Leveraging this support to a UK general election is going to be a key priority; appealing not only to UKIP’s existing support base, but achieving cut-through with floating voters, as well as voters who don’t currently feel able to lend their support to any of the traditional parties.”
“Ultimately, the aim is to deliver a campaign mechanism capable of capturing every electoral advantage for the Party and providing it with a robust campaign strategy capable of meeting the other parties head-on.”
ENDS.
Notes to editors:
James Pryor has worked at a senior level on many elections around the world. In 1994, James was a senior advisor to President F.W de Klerk in the first democratic elections in South Africa. He was a campaign and communications advisor to the Inkatha Freedom Party during the 1999, 2004 and 2009 general elections and the 2000 local elections. He served as a communications advisor to the Presidential spokesperson for the Sierra Leone Peoples Party during the 2002 general election. He advised the National Democratic Convention in Ghana and the Basothu National Party in Lesotho, as well as the Progressive Liberal Party in the Bahamas. He has also advised blue-chip companies on communications and campaigning, clients including Independent Media Support Group (IMS plc), British Satellite News (BSN), Alfred Dunhill and Aston Martin. He is a founding partner of African Strategic.
In the UK, James worked for the Conservative Party (1990-94) rising to the Head of Presentation during which time he was seconded to Downing Street to work on the Prime Minister’s overseas and high profile visits. In 1996, James was appointed Head of Presentation for The Referendum Party and was responsible for election campaign logistics and all events for the Party and Sir James Goldsmith, including conferences, launches, regional tours and media training for candidates.
For further details, contact:
Bridget Rowe
UKIP Press Office
0207 222 9365