I'm tempted by Nigel Farage !

Thanks Annodomini- living abroad I'd forgotten.

I suppose you are aware that we are in turmoil here in Switzerland. Our voting system is totally the opposite to UK- direct democracy. And anyone who can collect a sufficient of signatures, can force a new Law to be voted by the public. 2 weeks ago, there was a vote on limiting foreigners in Switzerland- and the vote passed, with the tiniest of majority- the French speaking Cantons and the larger German speaking cities of Basel and Zurich, voting against. It is creating so much turmoil- and of course putting the bilateral agreements Switzerland has with Europe, into jeaopary- the Erasmus programme for students, and international research programmes, being the first casualties. Direct Democracy sounds great, doesn't it? And yet so frustrating when a large minority (French speaking) always loses the vote- but has to suffer the consequences (the Central German Kantons who voted massively in favour hardly have any immigrants!!!) - and when the populist Press whips up the populist vote.

Switzerland has of course got a much higher % of immigrants than UK.

Given some power, what will he be saying???

Nigel Farage to me is very much a one horse race, talking only of immigration.

Euro elections are on May 22nd in this country. UKIP made inroads last time. I was an observer at the count and was dismayed at the way their piles of votes were mounting up. General election is to be in May 2015.

come on- he is not the national front - he may be right wing but nowhere is he advocating any National front policies. if people feel disgruntled and disenfranchised because they are being ignored by the main parties that is a failure of democracy.
the National front like to think UKIP is allied to them because it suits their purpose and far too many people are falling for that line.
fwiw - I support no particular party at the moment as I can see what a mess and how fractured this country is and no-one seems to be able to straighten it out.

But he is winning and fooling many- and his rise is seriously worrying because, as Anno says, he just represents the NF but in a suit. I've forgotten, when are the next General Elections?
People are so disgruntled and disenfranchised- that he will very possibly win the populist vote- with the help of the populist Press (:
Frightening. This is happening all over Europe too. And Marine Lepen is rising fast, just as he is.

Did you hear the remark made by a young party member who said she loved UKIP because it was fun - just like being in Dad's Army??

I heard him speaking about the pressure immigration puts on the NHS. What does he think the NHS would do without immigrant staff?

....and another from me. If I hear Nigel Farage talking about his discomfort when travelling in a large city and hearing only foreign languages spoken until he reaches the suburbs, I'm sure I will explode. What the hell does that idiot expect in large university towns and cities, with substantial ethnic populations of both students travelling up and down to uni, and legitimate immigrants who enrich the culture, working, shopping and living in the city centre? It's his mentality that is causing his discomfort. As has been reported in response to his comments, the majority of citizens who are used to hearing other languages take it in their stride. He needs to get out more (not the pub!)

Hear hear too!

Hear hear!

The BNP (formerly National Front) is losing membership and support to UKIP. In my opinion, the latter is just the former with a suit and tie.

You can give parents the right to choose which school their children attend. What you can't do is guarantee they can then attend the school of their choice.

I don't trust any of them!

I admit he's a better speaker than any of the other three, Cameron, Clegg or Miliband - but that's the trouble. (Saw him on Sunday with Andrew Marr.)

I wouldn't trust him an inch.

What exactly do you take exception to, Bold "Penstemmon" ? More Grammar Schools? Re-instating the student grant? protecting rural Schools? The demise of village schools is the reason they have to shut so quickly when bad weather strikes as very few pupils, or pupils live within walking distance..

Exactly Penstemmon.

Well Experigran that mish mash of Views on education proves to me that UKIP are not electable!

absent ... LOL gsoh

They are evolving as all parties do.

It could be worse. Their first leader was Robert Kilroy Silk

Education: Build more grammar schools, reinstate the student grant and educational maintenance allowance, encourage vocational apprenticeships, give parents the right to choose where their children go to school, protect rural schools, more support for home schooling and introduce elected county education boards.

Taken from their manifesto for Council Elections last year. Read what else they stand for here:
www.ukip.org/issues/2013-01-25-10-55-7/local-2013

Do not confuse them with the national Front, they are not the same. the national Front would like to be associated with them because they are becoming very popular. I would say research all parties thoroughly before voting. There is unpopular things which they all do and say. Not many even attempt to tell the truth and cover anything possible up. when found out "Lessons will be learned" How I hate that phrase!

granjura I am familiar with the ridiculousness of UK politics but could you please tell me when they were sublime as I seem to have missed that.

Your view is as valid as anyone else's nankate. I have occasionally been a 'floating voter' and if we did not exist then we would have the same party in power all the time.
If we cannot express our views without fear of ridicule then we do not have freedom of speech which is part of a democracy.

Personally I won't be voting for NF but I would be prepared to listen to him and think he has made some valid points about issues which do worry many people. The other parties are obviously listening to what he says as well, because they are adjusting some of their ideas as they realise he is actually addressing the concerns of some of the population and he may take votes away from the main parties.

Much as I loathe the man and his party he only exists because the country does have problems that he can feed off. When you have to wait months for a hospital appointment, your child/grandchild can't get into the local school because it's oversubscribed or you're having to work for several more years before you can get your pension; feel that your bus pass and fuel allowance might be taken from you etc you do start looking for scapegoats. I wouldn't vote for the man if you offered me a million pounds to do so but I can understand why people do give his comments a second thought.