An "unprecedented and historic result"

Graham_Devon

Mallotum_X wrote: »

Graham, there is however an awful lot of ammunition to use against UKIP.

They have had to distance themselves from a number of their own candidates in this and previous elections due to some rather unpleasant comments and views expressed. Whilst they always state these are not the views of the party (on topics from disability, Gay rights, women's rights, abortion, rape.... etc etc), the party does seem to attract those with such views.

The recent re-branding into a mainstream party is interesting, particularly the claims its a not a right wing party.

Agreed.

BUT. Look at the scandals of the main 3 parties over just the last 6 years.

I don't see it as anything particularly different really. They may be more vocal about their views....but then again, they are not career politicians with advisors and spin doctors.

Look at Gordon Brown and the bigot incident. These views can be held by even those at the top of the main parties, though it seems they only reveal them when they think they are safe.

There are always going to be those with a passion in the fringe parties. That's how all parties start. Look at the unions and labour....

StevieJ

Sampong wrote: »

Changed their tune a little haven't they - they now recruit in Eastern Europe.

What does that mean?

Jennifer_Jane

StevieJ wrote: »

And she was pleasant to the eye and on the ear

Victoria Coren presents the best quiz, IMHO, on TV - "Only Connect" on BBC 4. She is the daughter of Alan Coren, married to David Mitchell, the comedian, sister of Giles Coren, and is a good professional poker-player.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Coren

David Starkey is just absolutely vile. He tried to dismiss and denigrate Victoria by saying "Maths is not her strong point", and override everyone, but especially her (as she is his antithesis - young, female, heterosexual, blond etc). I would have enjoyed more time to explore a debate between the two.

I love David Starkey's books: I am currently reading a great tome, and I've read a few of them. But, as a person, he is very very nasty. So saying, he make some good points. His point about British doctors earning more than most other Countries, was very interesting. The woman in the audience who got hysterical was simply missing the point. As usual, and as he said, you just cannot say anything vaguely critical about the NHS without a hysterical response. His point was proved.

PS - sorry Graham, I realise that my grammar isn't all that hot, but the plural of "womAn" is "womEn". You always say "women" even in the singular.

A woman (/ˈwʊmən/), pl: women (/ˈwɪmɨn/) is a female human

Apologies, but I don't know why you do this.

StevieJ

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Brings a whole new level of hypocrisy to the table then.

Why? I should imagine they are still anti-immigration as surely the import of cheap labour undermines the unions.

Graham_Devon

Jennifer_Jane wrote: »

Apologies, but I don't know why you do this.

Because grammar isn't a strong point of mine and I'll admit that.

I can only apologise.

Jennifer_Jane

We voted a few weeks ago, and I did vote UKIP. I have no intention of voting UKIP in the General Election (not at this stage, anyway). I did it because it was just one Councillor, and seemed to be a way of sending a message to the political parties. In subsequent conversations with a Tory Councillor, I have been asked "What message". I think just what others above have said - to shake up the other parties.

Nigel Farage is the only person we really know about. He appears to be straightforward, amusing, charming, and talks commonsense (a bit of a Boris, perhaps?). He's married to a German, so clearly not against Europeans, just the current concept of the united Europe.

I think that UKIP will lose traction as we get to know them better. There are too many dodgy people who will be standing as MP's. If they were all Farage (does he have French ancestors?), they would do well, but once we hear more about the people actually standing to represent constituencies in Parliament, I think they will fall short unless they acquire some better candidates in the future.

StevieJ

Jennifer_Jane wrote: »

David Starkey is just absolutely vile. He tried to dismiss and denigrate Victoria by saying "Maths is not her strong point", and override everyone, but especially her (as she is his antithesis - young, female, heterosexual, blond etc). I would have enjoyed more time to explore a debate between the two.

I can't stand the fella, my favourite tv moment of his was when he was taken apart by those school kids and he just couldn't cope, Dream school it was

The historian then refuses to teach the class until their behaviour improves, telling the programme’s makers that “attention deficit disorder isn’t a disease, it’s a description of an entire generation”.

Jennifer_Jane

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Because grammar isn't a strong point of mine and I'll admit that.

I can only apologise.

That's really sweet of you, Graham. :A

Graham_Devon

StevieJ wrote: »

Why? I should imagine they are still anti-immigration as surely the import of cheap labour undermines the unions.

Well, how can you class anti immigration as right wing, when very left wing establishments are also anti immigration?

Jennifer_Jane

StevieJ wrote: »

I can't stand the fella, my favourite tv moment of his was when he was taken apart by those school kids and he just couldn't cope, Dream school it was

Oh yes! Remember that, and how awful it was.

Even so, there is a tiny, shameful part of my heart that agrees with some of what he says (not necessarily your quoted bit, however). But I was described in a school report as being "Easily influenced".

The dream school thing was difficult to watch. Here he was, giving up his extremely expensive time for free and failing miserably. Just stay in your elitist, privileged, University environment, David.