UKIP are now a parliamentary party

[ditchy]

As far as I am concerned, Farage can keep banging the UKIP drum as long as he likes until people finally realise that we are selling our souls to the most corrupt public body the world has ever seen. Any organisation that has not been able to have its accounts signed off for over 10 years should be out of business, closed down. It is illegal and criminal and yet it is largely shaping our future. It is a bureaucratic gravy train, offering additional big fat pensions ( at the tax payers expense ) to fading politicians. It is a private members club for overpaid officialdom.
Its cost outweighs its benefits. As you can gather, I'm not a fan.

As a matter of curiosity have labour . Cons and Libs had their accounts signed off .. I dont know i am asking ?

 

[Westdene Seagull]

It's all about who walks into No. 10 in 2015. It won't be Farage I can assure you.

And I'll repeat, because you appear to ignore this fact, there isn't a UKIP voter or supporter that believes he will. Therefore your statement above might as well be "the Sun is rather a hot star" - it's that bloody obvious. Natalie Bennett won't be walking into No. 10 either so should people not bother voting Green ?

 

[Westdene Seagull]

As a matter of curiosity have labour . Cons and Libs had their accounts signed off .. I dont know i am asking ?

Yes they do. They have to be independently audited.

 

[father_and_son]

Farage gave a good response to a question recently, do you want to be PM, he said no, i don't want the party to exist, but until we become a non nonsense country i fight on.

If he's serious then his manifesto should be just this... "1. Exit EU in an orderly fashion; 2. Call a General Election".

If they stopping pretending to have a conclusive answer to everything else then I think they'd be more than just a protest vote.
If, during an election debate, when questioned about any other issue other than Europe, he just said "I don't know, we'll just keep things ticking over until we can call the next general election" then I think he'd have a landslide.

 

[Nibble]

And I'll repeat, because you appear to ignore this fact, there isn't a UKIP voter or supporter that believes he will. Therefore your statement above might as well be "the Sun is rather a hot star" - it's that bloody obvious. Natalie Bennett won't be walking into No. 10 either so should people not bother voting Green ?

Sorry mate I don't debate with UKIP supporters, you're all thick as shit.

 

[vegster]

I don't expect the UKIP bubble to hold together for too long. There are already rifts and arguments in the background while Farage strides around supping beer and claiming the political landscape has changed forever. I fully expect some more electoral success in areas where immigration is seen as a key issue but I expect that vote to rise and then fall as Ukip get mired by infighting and not having enough seats to get their way on Europe.
All the time Farage keeps the focus on himself and his key immigration message they will prosper to a degree but there are only so many fires that can be kept in check. Expect some infighting, and recriminations and possibly an attempt to get Farage removed when they reach the limit of their powers and spiral down to where they started.

Anyone else remember the last time that the political landscape changed so drastically ? oh yes, That would be the SDP in 1981, The Referendum Party in 1991 and the Respect Party in 2004. Boy, what a difference they made.

 

[WATFORD zero]

UKIP - the party for people who want to be heard but can't be arsed to read a manifesto

 

[Bold Seagull]

It re-enforces my desire to vote for them - I won't vote for them just because some people throw insults.

But you appear to be voting for them because you want out of the EU, and yet a vote for them in all likelihood will actually move you further away from that goal.

What else is it that is attracting people to them when the other right of centre party currently in power is promising a referendum? I'm genuinely intrigued as UKIP's policies on things like the NHS are basically frightening.

And why couldn't Carswell wait 8 months before resigning, save the tax payer £250,000 so that the seat was simply contested at the General Election? Ridiculous really and a total waste of public money - from the party that is supposed to be against any form of waste and bureaucracy, they certainly seem to thrive on it.

 

[JetsetJimbo]

I don't remember this level of hype when the Greens got their first MP. That just sums up the British media -- it's in their corporate interests to talk up the right and talk down the left.

 

[Hotchilidog]

Hardly a breakthrough when a sitting MP is returned in a election when only 50% could be bothered to vote. Even less of a story in Heywood when only 36% of the electorate could be arsed to vote and the tories abandoned their own party in favour of abstention or UKIP. Still why let that stop the media fuelled UKIP publicity machine overhyping the results.

 

[vegster]

UKIP - the party for people who want to be heard but can't be arsed to read a manifesto

Indeed,Check out this youtube clip at 1.25 onwards.....

 

[LamieRobertson]

If there is one party that will get me out to vote its UKIP...and that will be to vote for someone else.

 

[drew]

1. There would not have been a NATO without the EU. The US insisted on some kind of European unity after the war

2. The EU is not the only issue. What does UKIP say about other things?. Did you read their manifesto in 2010? I did and it was absolutely laughable - flat taxes, NHS privatisation, huge increases in police and armed forces etc

3. Ask yourself what would have happened to Spain Greece and Ireland if they had not been part of the EU. Do any of their populations want to leave the EU? Not on your life they don't because they know how "cold" life would be on the outside.

Are you sure about NATO? It was formed by the signing of an agreement in 1948. It wasn't until 1957 that the Treaty of Rome was signed forming the basis of the EEC (The Common Market) which was purely a trading agreement, nothing like the organization that is the EU which basically became what it is today following the Maastricht treaty in 1993.

Point two, you are wrong. Well at least from the UKIP perspective, it is the only issue they seem to be consistent with. The other policies you refer to are just window dressing and one minute they support them and the next they are dropped! Agreed though, they are laughable. They are a one policy party.

 

[HH Brighton]

And just to back up my point made in my earlier post along comes someone else who doesn't get it. I've no idea if I'm middle class or not as class is a somewhat outdated concept ( UKIP supporters are called backwards yet it tends to be people who lean to the left that bang on about class all the time, strange ) but care to explain how you come to the conclusion I must be a bigot because I want out of the EU ? How precisely is that being a bigot ?

EDIT - add in some stupid references to being a racist and xenophobic and I'll finish my "I'm so arrogant" bingo card.

EXTRA EDIT - and from Nick Robinson : "The question now - how far UKIP will go? No-one knows but what is beyond doubt is that it has already gone much much further than those who dismissed and insulted it ever thought possible." It might serve as a warning for those that want to just throw insults around that it can come back and bite you. I'm sure CMD is really happy that he mentioned 'loons and fruitcakes".

I get it mate and I understand whats going on. You are part of a revolt dominated by white faces, blue collars and grey hair: angry, old, white working-class men who left school at the earliest opportunity and lack the qualifications to get ahead in 21st-century Britain. The UKIP voters typically struggle financially, worry about the future, and loathe the political class, not just Cameron and the Conservatives. For all this you need a scapegoat and immigration is it for you, you only need one issue to grasp hold of. But its a democracy isn't it and whilst we're in one we will get the BNP, UKIP extremists trying to get the voice heard.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Indeed,Check out this youtube clip at 1.25 onwards.....

Classic ...all of it is worth watching imho

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

If there is one party that will get me out to vote its UKIP...and that will be to vote for someone else.

Me too. Anyone but UKIP.

 

[HH Brighton]

UKIP - the party for people who want to be heard but can't be arsed to read a manifesto

Restricting foreigners on football teams

"Ukip feels the [lack of success of British teams] is largely a legacy of many British teams having too few British players in the team, and teams like Arsenal have taken to the field in the recent past with none whatsoever … Ukip would place a maximum of three foreign players in the starting line-up, as this would free up places for British players in the youth academies of these teams and spur the future development of home teams."

Proper dress in theatres

"Ukip will encourage a return to proper dress for major hotels, restaurants and theatres – smarter dress is part of Britishness, although it is also a British virtue to encourage innovation in fashion."

Investigating discrimination against white people at the BBC

"Ukip will pursue inquiries into alleged discrimination in favour of ethnic minority candidates in media outlets, such as the BBC, where there are allegations that white presenters had training stopped when training continued for non-white presenters."

Teaching more about the British empire and role of Arabs and Africans in slavery

"The patchy and biased teaching of history in schools, often very anti-British, is a major problem for a cohesive society. Part of the improved teaching will be a fair and factual analysis of the history of the British empire, which celebrates its achievements in terms of democracy, law, freedoms and trade and does not just acknowledge its faults. The issue of slavery in particular would also reflect the greater levels of trade by Arab slave traders (including the seizing of English citizens for slaves from the south-west), the role of African tribes in the trade and [William] Wilberforce's world-leading abolition campaign."

Making the Circle line a circle again

"Ukip will return London's Circle line to a circle – the complete circular service recently stopped. We will build grade-separated junctions to improve the number of trains and their reliability at Edgware Road, Gloucester Road and Aldgate."

Referendum on new mosques and banning the burqa

"Ukip would ban the wearing of the burqa and niqab veils in public places, as facial coverings are a major symbol of Wahhabism. Ukip would require a referendum for the building of any new religious place of worship, including mosques and 'Mega Mosques'."

Inquiry into Muslim-dominated 'no-go' areas

"Ukip is deeply concerned at the death threats made to Bishop Nazir Ali, the courageous bishop of Rochester, and the feeble reaction and false denial by the political establishment of his claims that there are Muslim-dominated 'no-go' areas in Britain. Ukip will hold a wide-ranging public inquiry to establish the truth into claims of 'no-go' areas and their causes, if proven."

Cancelling visas for failure to uphold British values

"All visas issued to non-British citizens will contain a summary of British values, and a commitment to uphold those values. Conspicuous failure to uphold those values, such as violent or criminal behaviour, will lead to the visa being automatically cancelled."

Glamorous railways

"Ukip will encourage a return to the glamour, grace and style of the railway companies of the past through its railway policies. Ukip seeks a return to 'Pullman' trains where justified, with appropriate branding such as 'Great Western Railway', one of the most successful British brands ever."

Giving MPs more freedom over their expenses

"We believe that in reality MPs must be awarded a degree of freedom and trust to manage their affairs, despite the recent scandals, and that providing opportunities to enrich themselves through the office are properly restricted … any small and inconsequential 'gains' such as first-class travel ought simply to be considered a minor perk and there is a practical need for MPs to be able to work during frequent travelling. It is unreasonable and unfeasible to ensure efficient and appropriate use for every £1, however the overall system must prevent excessive abuses being possible."

Restoration of imperial measures and the crown symbol on pint glasses

"Ukip would restore imperial measures for all weights and measures, restoring the crown symbol on pint glasses (now illegal under EU rules), safeguarding the mile, allowing the sale of vegetables and fruit in pounds and ounces, restoring acres not hectares, and require all media, businesses, schools and colleges to use imperial alongside metric measurements."

Repainting the trains in traditional colours

"The unseemly haste with which National Express destroyed the quality GNER brand by painting out its heraldry on service trains standing at rail stations was a disgrace. As with the iconic red bus in London, so the government should insist on a modernised form of traditional branding – chocolate and cream for Great Western, scarlet red for Midland, apple green for the east coast. These are icons of Britishness. Go-Ahead has shown the way with an excellent, tasteful branding of its Southern network."

Banning windfarms in case they harm fish

"Ukip would oppose all wind generated electrical power, particularly offshore, on cost and efficiency grounds. Offshore windfarms would impinge on established fishing grounds and there has been no research on how the magnetic and sonic vibrations of big wind turbines mounted on huge towers in deep water might affect fish."

The same income tax level for rich and poor

"Ukip will combine income tax and national insurance into a flat-rate income tax of 31% for all incomes over £11,500."

More swearing of allegiance to the Queen

"We deeply regret the drift towards swearing oaths of allegiance to the state rather than the monarchy, as with new policemen, which ignores the carefully balanced constitutional arrangement of Britain and risks elevating the authority of the government further. Ukip would require a comprehensive return to swearing allegiance to the Crown from all public servants and British subjects."

Cheaper beer

"Ukip would cut duty and taxes on traditional draught beers such as real ale, ciders and some lagers. Ukip would also allow landlords to write off against tax promotional costs for traditional beers through pub posters, beer mats and giveaways."

Opt-in sex education

"We will abolish 'Circle Time' discussion groups and scrap sex and relationships education in schools completely for children under the age of 10, except in the context of biology. We will make it optional for 10- to 11-year-olds – with parents choosing to opt their children in rather than having to opt out."

Banning European studies at universities

"We will abolish all lectureships and courses in European studies, including the 357 Jean Monnet projects in British universities. These are funded by the European Union, and are little more than avenues for pro-EU propaganda."

Letting schools bring back the cane

"We will pass legislation that establishes beyond doubt that schools and teachers have the right to discipline pupils without fearing legal action. Ukip will also give schools the choice of whether or not to use corporal punishment, but does not advocate this as a party."

Abolishing statutory maternity pay

"Rather than playing the 'money-go-round' with the attendant administrative burden, Ukip would abolish SMP entirely and simply allow parents who stay at home with their children to claim a weekly parental allowance set at the same level as the basic cash benefit proposed in our welfare policy (in other words, around £64 per week for parents aged 25 and above) regardless of how long they are off work and regardless of the other spouse's income."

No more 'equality' laws

"Ukip would scrap most 'equality and discrimination' legislation, cap all compensation payments and allow common sense to prevail. Ukip would punish fraudulent, mischievous complainants, including punishment for legal representatives who institute grossly excessive, speculative or fraudulent claims (such as some 'no win no fee' solicitors) through legal sanctions."

 

[Bruntburger]

Hi I know Mr Average. You also will know Mr Average, he's the guy you very occasionally talk politics too, he doesn't bother to vote or care or understand the basic difference between political parties.

To him a raise in one tax and a drop in another is irrelevant. An extra £500 a year wages but an extra £500 in motor tolls makes no difference... Bla bla bla...

That is how Mr Average sees it.

I myself am a close relative of Mr Average. Mr 'None of the above' is my name.

I don't bother to vote but I do care....
To generalise, from my eyes people vote labour because their fathers did, because they believe they are the party to help the working classes fight the corporate elite and support the coal miner, the dust man, the people that Conservatives only see when they look down to see what their stepping on! IMO this is why they vote Labour, as if it's in their blood. They do not read the Labour manifesto, they do not care about the policy detail because they are lemmings that follow what they believe is their social duty.

People vote conservative because they too copy their fathers and believe conservative means to protect their family values, the rule of meritocracy, to help society combat crime.

Both sets of voters believing it's black or white!!

Of course I see the odd few take the time to vote for something meaningful or close enough to what they think would be a better alternative, from the Greens to the BNP.

UKIP have tried to sneak through the woods and actually play on something that Mr Average does see every day and does consider a problem. Immigration. UKIP also plays on our nationalism and tries to confirm the thoughts of Mr Average, that the UK is weak and run by foreigners from Europe who take more money from us than they give back. Maybe true, maybe not. The fact is it's a powerful point and has engaged quite a few of the Mr Average family. The reds and blues can put on a brave public face and jest it's in protest. However I don't think it is entirely this. I think some stagnant voters have embraced UKIP like a breath of fresh air.
UKIP are probably just another bunch of burnt out Torres with delusions if grandeur but at least they have touched base with Mr Average.

 

[piersa]

Thank god for UKIP we really need the immigrant problem sorting out in that part of Essex.

http://www.ukcensusdata.com/tendring-e07000076#sthash.gIQYt6ds.dpbs

You really are a fossil

 

[Hatterlovesbrighton]

1. There would not have been a NATO without the EU. The US insisted on some kind of European unity after the war

2. The EU is not the only issue. What does UKIP say about other things?. Did you read their manifesto in 2010? I did and it was absolutely laughable - flat taxes, NHS privatisation, huge increases in police and armed forces etc

3. Ask yourself what would have happened to Spain Greece and Ireland if they had not been part of the EU. Do any of their populations want to leave the EU? Not on your life they don't because they know how "cold" life would be on the outside.

I do find the Armed Forces thing interesting. They want a big armed foreces, but were steadfastly against intervention in Iraq and Syria. What is our huge Armed Forces for if not for intervening in foreign lands.