I'm tempted by Nigel Farage !

"Dear ladies"?? Somewhat patronising, methinks.

I think the suggestion above is to get out of Europe?

Is that what it was all about Adriane? Must confess the post lost me, but then us 'ladies' do find it hard to follow the ramblings logic of men's thoughts.

I'm also confused by jcd, and I ain't no lady. I suspect something rather noxious and racist has drifted into our hallowed cloisters. Open all the widows and usher it back out again quickly!

Pass the sick bowl, ladies!

I didn't find it patronising and I thought it was obviously pro leaving the EU.

As for Question Time I agree with Gillybob David Dimbleby is crap and can be partisan.

The more the so called political/social elite try to ridicule or shut Nigel Forage up gains him another vote.

The political/social elite call him smug the ordinary working man think they are smug. Around and around the cheap shots are fired but it will only stoke more people to listen to what he is saying and that's why he is gaining ground, whether or not you like it, that is what is happening.

If you can't debate the argument, if you only have childish rhetoric, if you just shout him down, if you can only stop him by throwing eggs or trying to stop him speaking at a venue, if you can only try to make him look foolish, then 'that is all you have'. You are feeding the flame certainly not trying to extinguish it.

UKIP has now become the 4th political party in the game, at least for the EU elections. If nobody is going to use intelligent dialogue with Nigel Forage then don't be surprised if the public consider that could be because they have nothing intelligent to say or think he is possibly talking more sense and they have nothing constructive to argue with him about.

I still will not vote for UKIP but I can honestly say he is showing more maturity than a lot of the political/social elite and it is getting quite noticeable.

UKIP, it would seem, have only the one policy (Europe).
What do we know of their policies for education, health, the economy etc? And have they the people qualified and suitable enough to implement them? I really don't think they could form a credible and functional government.

Just been looking at UKIP's website to find out what they think about TTIP. If we sign up to this transatlantic treaty, we can no longer have an NHS free from private health companies. It will be impossible to go back, as any company can sue the British Government for not allowing it to take over contracts from the CCGs.
Not just the NHS. Pfizer would also be able to take over Astrazeneca and make humdreds of workers redundant. Fracking is another area where the government could be sued.
It is not possible on UKIP's website to do a search to find out how they stand on the TTIP. The Huffington Post says that all the major parties are for TTIP.
Another reason to vote Green in the EU elections.
Am I the only one on Gransnet worried about the TTIP ?

jcdoh and POGS well said.

annodomini don't be such a snob!

GadaboutGran

Your post Wed 07-May-14 21:40:29

I agree with every word you have said. I don't know if you watched Question Time last night but most of the allegations thrown at Farage were thrown last night and a few MPs on the panel were left with egg on their faces. I think the media are the ones creating a fear element and what
Farage had to say regarding why all three main parties won't do much to stop immigration would be worrying if I lived in the UK - none of them really corrected him. From what I can see, it seems to be all about providing cheap labour for commerce whilst at the same time shooting themselves in the foot as more and more people have to apply for benefits to make up the shortfall in pay received.

durhamjen

^Selective, Hollydaze.
What about the sentence before the one you quote?
What about the fact that UKIP are not bothered about the TTIP?^

Not selective at all. If the previous sentence had struck a chord, I would have included it. If you want to discuss it then please, by all means do.

I have no idea what UKIP propose regarding the NHS as I am not a UKIP supporter and have not read their manifesto (there really wouldn't be much point given my location). If they intend to curtail the cosmetic use of the NHS for anything other than treatments to correct problems that are debilitating in some way then I would support that.

POGS - your post: Thu 08-May-14 12:25:00

An excellent post; someone else who listens to what's being said rather than jumping to conclusions.

I have been a bit surprised that skin colour has come into it considering no-one has ever mentioned skin colour; it could be argued that that is more damning of those that have jumped to that conclusion.

I also do not understand the obsession with skin colour in any discussion about immigration. As far as I know from a TV programme I saw a few months ago, hardworking (to coin a phrase) 1st and 2nd generation immigrants from the Indian sub-continent are also worried about an uncontrolled influx of immigrants from Europe. Some are likely to vote for UKIP.
Playing the race card in replyposts is trying to gain a cheap point when it was not mentioned by original posters.

I arrived home last evening to catch a bit of Question Time, just in time to see the loud member of the audience ordering Farage not to interrupt him, then talking over the top of Farage when he tried to reply! I thought the member of the audience came across as a controlling arrogant prat, as did the Labour representative on the panel also. But of course I do not know what went on before.

DD does sometimes come across as an ineffectual chairman but I think that is on purpose and it betrays his obvious bias.

merlotgran - your post: Fri 09-May-14 09:31:06

Good post. I also watch Question Time and thought the majority of the audience (including non-white audience members) were more supportive of Nigel Farage than any of the others. The Indian chap even had to say to the Labour chap 'look at me, I'm half Indian for goodness sake'; rather said it all really.

I'm another that didn't find jcdoh's post patronising; maybe he's from a generation when men referred to women as ladies - I don't see that as a bad thing and I'm puzzled why others would.

Good post rose and I agree with you. I also thought that man in the audience was very rude and ill-mannered. Even if you don't agree with someone, if you start dialogue with them, at least you can be courteous enough to start the dialogue before attempting to rip them apart!

As an aside- everytime I see Shirley Williams I think, she is the Best Prime Minister we never had.

We are an hour ahead here, and we do not always watch QT nowadays, which we never missed in the U; as I often have 8am meetings in another town on Fridays- but I love the programme- and keeping up to date with UK issues.

I have no objection to jcdoh referring to women as ladies, he seems to be an older 'gentleman' and would think this is the polite thing to say. However, from a younger bloke like Marco Pierre White in the stock cube advert - GRRR!

Shirley Williams is always so earnest, but perhaps that is not a bad trait.
I am not at all keen on Chuka Umunna, he comes across as someone who is extremely overweening.

rose - the more I see of Shirley Williams on QT the more I tend to like her. I wasn't interested in politics way back when so I know next to nothing about her but she does seem very reasoned.

I agree about Chuka Umunna - he seems a bit smarmy to me, like the class knowall who has to explain the basics to the dunderheads. Grant Chaps also tends to look a bit smug - do they learn that at private school do you think

Not sure that Grant Schapps went to public school, Holly? No doubt someone will soon provide any information, adverse or otherwise, about him!

Chuka definitely has a very superior attitude but perhaps that is because he is always right. All of the time. And knows what is best for everyone else as well. As well as being goodlooking. Too perfect to be true really.

Let's face it, they are politicians and as such appear to be a different breed from most of us.

Anyway, I digress.
Here in Wales we have 11 parties to choose from in the forthcoming election. I have not heard of a single one of the candidates and so far no-one has knocked on the door. We have had literature from UKIP (binned which annoyed DH because he said at least he would have liked to read it before I binned it) and the Lib dems which I think DH has binned before I read it.

and not tempted by anyone yet.

rose

We have had literature from UKIP (binned which annoyed DH because he said at least he would have liked to read it before I binned it) and the Lib dems which I think DH has binned before I read it.

That made me smile - between you, you've binned two of the leading parties lol

It must be hard to choose when you feel disinclined to be fully in favour of any of them and they have all failed to grab your interest. I don't envy you one bit with that.

Years ago I remember dressing up DD2 as 'Miss Floating Voter' for which she won a prize in a fancy dress competition.

Interesting about the treaty durhamjen I had not heard about this.
Grant Shapps - where did they find him??? He went toWatford Grammar School btw. Wiki is fount of so much info. Known for very nearly getting prosecuted for running a get rich quick US style company in which he gave people advice (I think it was about how you could make a fortune via internet optimisation) while using the name Michael Green.

(there isn't one for surprise) oh HIM!

So far the Welsh election addresses have been entertaining. Bear in mind they have to squash 2 languages on them.
The Welsh Conservatives get the prize for weasel words about what a wonderful government they are.
The libdem leaflet was a totally incomprehensible mess and , well has nobody told Plaid Cymru that the slogan "Wales First" makes them sound like an unashamedly fascist party?
rosequartz apparently newspapers ran the story about racial mix by 2050 - their emphasis on colour is notable.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2620957/Ethnic-minorities-make-one-population-2050-Britains-melting-pot-continues-grow.html

I have missed lots of news, either tv or newspapers recently (family staying and it has all by-passed me).
I am beginning to think it makes no difference what I think or vote, and I'm not sure what I think any more anyway.
Oh dear, it is my duty to vote! Still