I'm tempted by Nigel Farage !

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.

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!

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

jcdoh and POGS well said.

annodomini don't be such a snob!

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 ?

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.

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.

Pass the sick bowl, ladies!

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!

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.

"Dear ladies"?? Somewhat patronising, methinks.

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

ok ladies, I like your varied views, the comment regards hitler coming through our back door --did catch my eye, but hitler was german, we have had two tough wars with the germans !
causing us high loses of fathers, sons, brothers; forcing women to take on mens heavy labour, in fields, factories, but also every other job too!

women had always worked in fields, factories, big houses, shops, even running their own businesses!
but not enough men returned home to pick up their previous role of bread provider! plus not all were healthy enough to work!

this is anniversary year again, to remember those that did not return!

so why am I bringing these memories back-- its Germany who runs the euro union, that heads the changes in our laws ,
that demands we pay £15,000000 every day into their coffers , plus monthly payments too!
this is our hard worked for money--but we don't have any say regards its payment to the EU?

this to me smacks of Germany through our back door - laughing all the way to the bank?

how many of you dear ladies would say that just one year of these payments would sort our health service problems?

second year would repair all our roads --3 rd year put our trains on better track, and buses too! all these things affect each and everyone of us, both young and old.

both labour and conservatives have denied us our right to vote!
always it is next year they will give us referendum !

is the only way left to us, to show our disapproval of being treated like idiots, is too change our normal vote ! perhaps go green ?

or like the ladies did to provide us with our vote --lets do so again !

lets make our voices heard, on-line ; by snail mail, by petitioning them ALL !

ladies I leave it in your hands ? lets go back to making our own UK rules!

I didn't like the gang mentality between David Dimbleby and the others on the panel. Every time NF opened his mouth someone jumped in knowing there would be back up from the others and hoots of laughter from the audience. DD was wrong to say, 'The audience haven't just come to see you' when NF had been talked over yet again.

The man in the audience who insisted NF let him speak before he'd even said anything just made himself look silly.

I'm not a UKIP supporter but ridiculing NF is not going to stop people voting for them.

The trouble is, gilly, that too many people do take him seriously!

Slightly off subject here I know but I really cannot stand that Dimbleby bloke. He is a rubbish Chairman as it is always blatently obvious whom he sides with and he really can't keep his opinions to himself. The biggest snob I have ever heard . It's a pity because I enjoy the Question time format I just can't bear that man.

I think Nigel Farage is a hoot. I never take him seriously at all.

And he's not 50 yet. Bit different to the people in their 40s that I know...
Very scary "old fogey more tory than the tories" act isn't it.

Yes,DJ, I saw it and thought Farage came across as an awful man. A self-opiniated bully and braggart with no repect for others. It was good to see him put down by Dimbleby and that man from the floor who crucified him for playing on people's genuine fears. It's all getting a bit worrying. Wonder if we'll see Farage at the Eurovision thing tonight?

Anyone else watch Farage on Question Time?
He really is frightening, despite the grin.

Just love this:

'You Kip' Premier Inn ad featuring Lenny Henry goes viral
A week after a Ukip candidate suggested that Lenny Henry emigrate to a “black...
thedrum.com

Getting back to the original subject - Farage is pretty evasive about womens' rights but there are disturbing signs to say the least

www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10741121/Nick-Clegg-v-Nigel-Farage-Hey-ladies-Nigel-Farages-Ukip-wants-to-turn-the-clock-back-for-womens-rights.-Fact.html