I'm tempted by Nigel Farage !

As far as I remember he doesn't like wind turbines.. Can't think of anything else. Oh yes, he likes a pint. Tax breaks for pubs perhaps?

I'm persuaded NF is not the man for me. I must have had a senior moment to think he was !

rosequartz With the rate they are closing, pubs could really do with it.

rosequartz that is one of the reasons I-d like to have a good chat with Clegg.

The UK is just not used to coalition politics- and the first past the post system has created this incredible and damaging see-saw politics which jump every few years from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again. And with more and more people feeling totally aleniated by the process- as people increasingly do not live in constituencies which represent their view/s- and their vote ending up in the bin (as was my case for the 39 years I lived in UK).

Although I am fascinated by politics, I could have never joined a party in the UK, for reasons above. I am now an elected councillor here, as I am totally free to follow my heart and reason (no party whip as such) and because we always have to work together with other parties.

Take heart NanKate. I know you have now changed your mind about NF but I notice from today's papers that Liam Fox has advised Cameron to do something to limit numbers of low skilled immigrants coming into this country in order to deal with the threat from UKIP.

He describes the UK leader as 'personable and reasonable' and says that many of his views are shared by 'decent and patriotic people'.

UKIP leader not UK leader.

as I posted upthread - the effect of UKIP (they are not National front even if very right wing) may well be that the main parties will address the very real concerns of many voters which they currently choose to ignore. - this surely is a good thing.

UKIP is a party of traitors - they insinuate themselves into the Euro Parliament and then do damn all for the benefit of Great Britain.

Is it just me or would Farage's smug face be vastly improved by impact with a lemon meringue flan?

I don't see how anyone can limit immigration from the EU in law.

Too true, feetle. Their attendance record at the European Parliament is worse that that of any other group.
Wouldn't that be a waste of a lemon meringue flan?

Aka Isn't that why UKIP wants us to withdraw from the EU?

Farage to me is the ultimate pub bore who props up a corner of the bar and holds forth loudly to a couple of like-minded mates on a topic of the day.

He particularly reminds me of one who prefaced every appalling suggestion with "What they wanna do...." His worst proposal was when the fate of the retired Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth was being discussed (about 1970). He said "What they wanna do is put all the [insert appropriate demeaning description of then topical immigrant group] aboard, tow her out to sea, and let the Navy use her for gunnery practice."

More extreme than UKIP? Maybe, but I can't help my recollections

NanKate

The problem with a forum is you will be discussing politics with people who have quite entrenched views. There is no grey area to them.

You are possibly at an advantage by having no brain washed idea of how you will vote, I applaud your honesty.

I remember when, the now long forgotten, Godfrey Bloom was on Daily Politics he admitted that UKIP do not vote in the European Parliament when challenged. His reply was 'NO WE DON'T, WE ARE ALWAYS IN THE CHAMPAGNE BAR'. I thought then what a dick head and he obviously isn't alone. What would be the use of voting for them if that is their approach to legislative issues and speaking for the UK.

Having said that there are stepping forward 'a handful' of sensible candidates and I don't think UKIP can be mocked or sneered so readily as some like to do. However it is only a 'handful' and until they mature in their attitude I don't think voting for UKIP could lead to any purposeful meaning other than a protest vote to date.

Thanks Pogs and Petallus for aligning me with 'decent and patriotic' and 'honesty'.

To be honest I am far too naive where politics is concerned and should have just kept my counsel, but hey ho that's me - I speak first and think later.

NanKate

You have no problem 'thinking' you are naïve where politics are concerned, better to be so than have your judgement clouded by partisan politics. That is by far the worst case scenario.

It's not a case of speak first think later. Your post was quite refreshing in it's honesty and please do not keep your own counsel otherwise it get's very boring without the opportunity to discuss/debate with people such as yourself rationally and openly, whether we agree or not, just listening to and taking on board another posters thoughts and accepting gracefully their point of view.

Thanks POGS kind words which I appreciate.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

They are evolving as all parties do.

absent ... LOL gsoh

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

Exactly Penstemmon.