West Midlands region
Nikki was elected to the European Parliament in June 2009 to represent the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom ; representing over 5.5 million people.
UKIP - What happened?
Nikki had been a senior member of UKIP for many years including holding positions on the executive of the party. Nikki was dismayed at being forced to join a group in the European Parliament, the EFD, led by Nigel Farage. This group was considerably different from previous groups UKIP had belonged to; as it included holocaust deniers, homophobes and a person who had a criminal conviction for an offence against a child.
Above, the first interview as an MEP. Right, Speech at UKIP Conference in Southport 2009
Nikki spent months trying to convince her colleagues that these associations brought UKIP into disrepute, Nikki even stood for leader, trying to get the position reversed, all to no avail. Eventually in January 2010, Nikki resigned from the EFD group and was immediately suspended by UKIP. A stand off ensued until the relationship was irretrievably broken down and Nikki became an Independent MEP.
Left, Nikki’s UKIP replacement, Jill Seymour admits Nikki, single-handedly moved on the EU debate with her petition.
This video says it all, UKIP thought their greatest achievement was to increase its membership figures. UKIP had active.y opposed and advised its membership figures not to support Nikki’s petition that ultimately proved successful.