UKIP

Wouldn't that mean the elected person would be pulled in every direction and would then just vote for what they believed in which would be either left, right or somewhere else. Or am I just a bit dense ? And I'm not actually sure what the UKIP policy is on things such as education, health etc. Or if they indeed have policies on these things.

Is UKIP the new Liberals or Lib Dems now that the latter have lost all their street cred?
Does well in local elections but falls at the first fence in General Elections.

"Street cred?" Isn't that something gangsta rappers have, and kids with their trousers down below their underwear?

If this UKIP bunch are anything more than a flash in the pan, then we are all in trouble. Certainly nobody is voting for them because of their policies - they are too incoherent to say what they are, given that maybe they have some.

God help us if UKIP gain true power!

feetle you sweet old-fashioned thing you! It's hardly street slang anymore having made its way into various learned dictionaries or perhaps I'm just a Gangsta Nan?

aka, Gangsta Nan, love it!

In the spirit of rousing discussion, I offer you this article by Russell Taylor, "In Praise of UKIP". I don't know who Russell Taylor is and I'm not a UKIP supporter by any stretch of the imagination, but he does make some pertinent points which might help explain today's electoral phenomenon.

" I give yous props for dat phat rap man."

Oh deary, deary me - I live in Bideford, which has gone UKIP. Not surprised, but oh deary, deary me!

Seriously; of course, UKIP are doing what political parties in earlier times did - talk the language which those who are feeling beleaguered understand, so that "immigration" ticks all their reactive boxes. Hitler and Mussolini used the same tactics to appeal to the bourgeoisie......we might just ignore the potential of UKIP at our peril.

Couldn't agree more!

Indeed, but I do think that their surge is in large part due to the total exasperation with the other parties. Remember the Liberal surges of the past. Or the SDP which was supposed to be a sea change. Never really came to much despite the gallons of spilt ink. So, although I think the it's true that the beleaguered will vote for them, I don't think that in he long term it's sustainable.

There are matters which have been ignored by the leaders of both parties, and that's for very different reasons, but a debate on those matters, immigration, housing, welfare and so on, needs to take place without automatic positions being taken and vested interests disguising the real agenda. So many feel disenfranchised and even local government offers no solutions. So often power in in the hands of the permanent officers who are massively well paid and pursue their own empire building agenda. Elected Councillors don't stand a chance - unless of course they themselves are permanent officials in a neighbouring borough.

If the big parties are not brave enough to set a moral agenda and listen and take account of the electorate, they don't deserve success at the ballot box.

Hear, hear MiceElf. I think that's absolutely right.

Unfortunately UTWIT have gained ground and I think we should all be worried. They are trying to appeal to the 'middle class' as well as the 'white'working class' by their 'kick the-immigrant- cat' policies.

It appears to only have two policies 1) Get rid of immigrants
2) Get out of Europe

I have to say it is incredibly naive to think that getting rid of 'foreigners' would be the solution to all the woes of the country!

As to getting out of Europe that is also presented in a Little Englander fashion with no real policies for alternatives.

That is not to say that I think there should not be a full review of immigration policies or that being part of EEC is not without its drawbacks! But you do not need to be right of Genghis Khan to sort it all out!

Most of the comments regarding UKIP show generally how uneducated the majority of people are have they even bothered to find out who UKIP are! Basically they are against the common market because of the cost we cannot afford to be a member the Euro has had it they should have given up on the Euro Eighteen Months ago. We need to get out the Common Market Now! Then reduce immigration for economic reasons has anybody tried to get medical treatment lately how booked up are your Doctors Dentists Occupational Therapists Wake Up the Country is having great problems absorbing the recent spate of people from all nationalities wishing to make their life here in the UK all UKIP are saying is slow down we cannot absorb so many so quickly! It has nothing to do with race politics or religion

Soz to be a bit dense, have been busy the last last few weeks.So r u saying,or is ukip saying they are against immigration and europe? So what are your alternatives or policies? Catching some news tonight, bods in bassildon,essex, R ukip mad. But why? How Does this encompass a realistic economic policy?

After the almost wall to wall coverage by the BBC I've now had a look at a little background. And once again the BBC reporting was deeply biased. Ukip have 50 council seats, the Greens 200, not a mention that I noticed.

I've also taken a look at their policies - such as they are - what a ragbag of right wing nonsense. Amongst others they want to reverse the smoking ban, reverse the hunting ban, ditch anything to do with equality, they oppose same sex marriage, they want to raise defence spending by 40%, and their taxation proposals were probably written by an innumerate nine year old. They want to double prison places.

They are the extreme right Wong of the Conservative party containing many former and expelled Tories, and two of their most prominent members are now in prison for benefit fraud and expenses fraud. (No surprise that they want to double prison places then)

So why have gained around a quarter of the votes cast by the 30% who bothered to vote?

Well, what I said above in my first post is part of the reason, but having slept on it I realise that these few Councillors are unlikely to be reelected. They will have to do some work now, and their track record for diligence and service is distinctly ropey. Farage's attendance record is bouncing at the bottom of the total MEP list, and he has described his members in less than flattering terms.

He gets a good press because he comes over as a cheeky chappie who is good humoured. A bit like Boris without a brain really.

It's a flash in the pan. It won't last, but what there is, is very depressing.

I think you,re right, mice, but what troubles me is the WHY? Did you look at that article by Russell Taylor? There are some sound bites in it.

No, can you post a link?

I did, further up this thread.

Whoops! I'll go and look.

That is a scary blog. I'm sure it must represent the views of some people but it's all polemic and fact lite. I do think that once Farage and his henchmen are subjected to a forensic interrogation by Paxman or some other, they will quickly reveal themselves for what they are. That hasn't happened yet. But it will.

Protest vote against the government. Who was the only person to get booed in the Olympics stadium in a festival of good natured sportsmanship - Osborne.
It is newsworthy because it is a threat to major parties - and in particular the Tories because so many of them are anti- Europe.

They (UKIP) are clearly not up to much, but if they give the major parties a good sharp shock, and make them re-evaluate their policies, then that can only be a good thing as far as I can see.