UKIP

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   John Holdenposted 10 years ago

   After the much vaunted rise of UKIP with predictions of a landslide at the next general election it is not too disappointing to some of us to hear that support for UKIP has dropped in the last month from 16% to 9%.
   
   That sort of protest is not too unusual in mid term elections when people know that their votes aren't likely to make substantial changes. They tend to become more focused at general elections and vote with their heads rather than hearts.

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      Popitposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Who would have predicted that there was even the remotest possibility that the Conservatives would form a pact with UKIP in order to secure a majority in Parliament?  Hope they've got a long spoon.  And since they want to pull out of the EU, hope that no one votes for them

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         John Holdenposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         +1

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2. 79

   Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

   is the EU good or bad... or what about the EU?
   what is UKIP?
   " The UK Independence Party, commonly known as UKIP (/ˈjuːkɪp/), is a Eurosceptic and right-wing populist political party in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1993 by members of the Anti-Federalist League with the primary objective of securing the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union. The party describes itself as a "democratic, libertarian party"." Wikipedia
   Since you posted this for all to contemplate… what is going on over there?
   I wonder.
   Is it similar to what is going on here?
   or what?

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      Popitposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      UKIP are (in my opinion) a group of racist, right wing and some might say fascist people masquerading as a political party.  Their manifesto, dressed up as patriotism, would have all immigrants booted out of Britain, restricted work for the remaining non-British and to completely cut off from the European Union, (a source of migrant workers who have the right to work anywhere in the EU.)  Quite what they would do after all of this, is not clear.  They appeal to the ignorant, the racist and the unspeakable, all of whom are persuaded that their communities down turn in fortune is due to Polish workers, and the Global economy is just something that Left Wing Loonies trot out after elections.
      
      My own fear, as someone who now lives in France is that they will secure enough votes along with the Conservative party, to form an alliance in order to take the UK out of the EU.  People like me, (and there is a massive population of expats in Europe)  will then have no automatic right to live and work in our chosen new homes.  (At the moment, all persons of the European member states have the right to freedom of movement throughout the EU to live and work in any member country.) Right wing political parties are on the rise all over Europe.  Worst case scenario; we all get kicked out of our host countries, are unable to sell our homes and arrive back, simultaneously, as destitute UK citizens with no rights to healthcare or financial aid.  My husband phoned the UKIP party office to point this out and ask what measures they would be putting in place to deal with the UK refugees.  The woman manning the phone said, "We don't give a s**t, you chose to leave the UK, we have no provision." ( I am quoting her actual statement.)  My husband then pointed that he had served his country for many years, in the army, seeing active service on numerous occasions, as have a large number of ex-pats in Europe, and that UKIP purported to represent the needs of the armed forces.  She said, "You've made your bed, you lie in it" and put the phone down.
      
      I'm sure there are other people on the site more qualified than me to discuss the political rhetoric, the economic crisis in Europe and the frightening rise of the right wing.  But as a parting shot, someone said to me the other day; that the right wing would never get a proper foot hold in Europe because they were just bonkers.  Didn't they say that about the Nazi party?

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3. 79

   Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

   Thank you.  Very interesting. It may be the opposite of what is going on here.
   - give us ten years and we may understand the frustration and urge to restrain … what?
   what are the rightists trying to restrain/change?
   (Just in case its a look into the crystal ball or our own future.)
   If the rightists had their way, what do they want?
   
   <" Worst case scenario; we all get kicked out of our host countries, are unable to sell our homes and arrive back, simultaneously, as destitute UK citizens with no rights to healthcare or financial aid.">
   
   Why?

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