Your chance to question UKIP leader in Newbury next week, 'swivel eyes' is copming! Options

[Andy Capp]

I know someone else already has mention this but here's something to get Biker1, Tall Dark and Handsome, etc, all excited!

http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2014/your-ch...wbury-next-week

[Biker1]

I know someone else already has mention this but here's something to get Biker1, Tall Dark and Handsome all excited!

http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2014/your-ch...wbury-next-week

Nah, left wing namby pambies!!

[Andy Capp]

Nah, left wing namby pambies!!

LOL

[x2lls]

I would have thought all you anti UKIP geezers would jump at the chance to attend, if only to indulge in some face to face debating.

[Biker1]

LOL

On a more serious note, if they ever had a chance of it, they have lost my vote ever since they made it public that they would repeal the Hunting With Dogs Legislation.

[Simon Kirby]

On a more serious note, if they ever had a chance of it, they have lost my vote ever since they made it public that they would repeal the Hunting With Dogs Legislation.

Well said Biker1, thank you for that. There is quite a lot that appeals to me in the UKIP personalities because many of them do seem to be so much less up themselves than the odious slime-bags that people the main-stream parties, and I applaud their plain old common sense everyman attitude to issues, as exemplified brilliantly by the UKIP councillor in the council-filming hoo-ha, and although the party does attract racists, xenophobes, and bigots who I wouldn't willingly share space with it's not entirely true to cast their policies as intrinsically xenophobic (although you'll understand if I sometimes do just that ). But bloodsports and animal cruelty are issues on a whole different level for me (I voted for David Rendel on this issue alone) and like you that puts UKIP beyound the pale for me. I'm also not hugely impressed with their attitude to the Human Rights Act, but in fairness they are in practice far more supportive of the right to freedom of speech and political liberty than the other screwed-down main-stream parties, not least the repressive fib dems who are supposedly the party most supportive of our civil liberties.

[CharlieF]

I rather like the idea of open meetings but I would prefer to hear from the actual candidates. All of them from all parties and independents so people can get a proper idea who they are. All the usual identikit literature and 'party-line' soundbite guff is useless helping people choose who to vote for.

[motormad]

We will never find a political party who both ticks all the boxes and are in with any sort of hope of winning who are not up themselves.
But why Cameron is in place I will honestly never even know. Tosser.

[JeffG]

Apart from their right-wing policies, there is one overarching reason I would never vote for UKIP, and that is embedded in their name.

[Biker1]

Apart from their right-wing policies, there is one overarching reason I would never vote for UKIP, and that is embedded in their name.

Would you agree that we need to force a referendum on our continued EU membership, or should we leave that decision to our elected (by some!) representatives?

[JeffG]

Would you agree that we need to force a referendum on our continued EU membership, or should we leave that decision to our elected (by some!) representatives?

No, I don't want a referendum, and I don't see Parliament voting by itself to leave. It would be crazy and self-destructive and they know it.

[Biker1]

No, I don't want a referendum, and I don't see Parliament voting by itself to leave. It would be crazy and self-destructive and they know it.

Maybe so, but not all are conviced of that.
Especially members of UKIP.
If a whole political party can grow to the size of UKIP over just one issue then maybe it needs to be put to the people or, if not, then at least taken further than the position of the governing political party with a free vote?

[MontyPython]

Apart from their right-wing policies, there is one overarching reason I would never vote for UKIP, and that is embedded in their name.

Party?

[pbonnay]

No, I don't want a referendum, and I don't see Parliament voting by itself to leave. It would be crazy and self-destructive and they know it.

There is little support in Parliament to leave the EU because they would be voting to end all the cushy and well paid jobs that failed and/or passed over politicians can move into.

[Ruwan Uduwerage-...]

Personally I am rather looking forward to attending this event, for it will be very interesting to not only hear first hand the views of the charismatic Nigel Farage, and it is also useful to gauge the level of support that exists within the area.

I share Simon's thoughts that although "the party [Ukip] does attract racists, xenophobes, and bigots who I wouldn't willingly share space with it's not entirely true to cast their policies as intrinsically xenophobic". Many of the people that I have met who express support for Ukip are frankly 'cheesed off' with the current political party structure and feel ignored and Ukip and specifically its leader are excellent at appearing at one with whomever they are speaking to.

I do not support the mainstream political parties desire to 'out Right' Ukip, but there is a need on the part of all mainstream political parties to re-engage with the voters and demonstrate that they are worthy of the trust that the public places in them.

As for Europe, for me it is a 'no-brainer', I like French soft cheeses, and the knowledge that we have an open and free market on our doorstep for our goods and services, as well as the security factors that Europe has afforded us since WWII.

Perhaps if any of the other Forum members attend this free event we can have a chat and share notes.

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera

Newbury Town Council - Councillor for Victoria Ward & Deputy Leader

[On the edge]

I'm very glad you've recognised there is a need for mainstream parties to re-engage. Sadly, there is very little evidence that they will.

Insofar as Europe is concerned, I suspect that if take. To the wire, most would feel,it wise to stay in. However, and this is where the reconnection with the electorate also comes in, Europe needs putting right. Regrettably, we only have a choice between the Tory 'get out and stay out' or the LibDem 'Europe can do no wrong'. We need the 'its broke, let's fix it' option as well.

The inactivity of our EuroMPs certainly does nothing to help - when do we ever hear what they've done?

[Ruwan Uduwerage-...]

We need the 'its broke, let's fix it' option as well.

The inactivity of our EuroMPs certainly does nothing to help - when do we ever hear what they've done?

You will not hear me argue with these points, and I am pleased to say that the LibDem candidates that I am associated with share these sentiments and intent to make changes.

The reality is that the benefits of the UK remaining in Europe far outweigh the alternative, but continuous improvement is always needed in any organisation in order to enhance its efficiency, effectiveness and raise the level of service provided.

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera

Newbury Town Council - Councillor for Victoria Ward & Deputy Leader

[On the edge]

Good, very glad to hear it. I'd much rather we were arguing the toss about French government blocking free market rules than wether we should be in or out. I very much suspect I'm not alone. If we don't like some of the rules; let's try and get them changed and not just threaten to walk off the pitch every time things don't go our way.

[Cognosco]

You will not hear me argue with these points, and I am pleased to say that the LibDem candidates that I am associated with share these sentiments and intent to make changes.

The reality is that the benefits of the UK remaining in Europe far outweigh the alternative, but continuous improvement is always needed in any organisation in order to enhance its efficiency, effectiveness and raise the level of service provided.

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera

Newbury Town Council - Councillor for Victoria Ward & Deputy Leader

Very fine sentiments Ruwan but may I suggest that we start small and sort out our problems for what you were actually elected for and sort out the problems with our town council first before we take on Europe? There are many problems with our town council that have been known about for years and like Europe nothing has been done and it appears to be getting worse!

[MontyPython]

... but there is a need on the part of all mainstream political parties to re-engage with the voters and demonstrate that they are worthy of the trust that the public places in them.


Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera

Newbury Town Council - Councillor for Victoria Ward & Deputy Leader

I will enjoy watching the flypast of flying pigs when you and the Lib=dems etc become worthy - you are certainly showing that you currently aren't

You will not hear me argue with these points, and I am pleased to say that the LibDem candidates that I am associated with share these sentiments .....

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera

Newbury Town Council - Councillor for Victoria Ward & Deputy Leader

then why don't you overturn the vexatious label that you have attached to Simon. And before you spout the usual diarohea about needing a complaint to be made - where is the evidence of a complaint that justified the issuing of such a label?

Take ACTION or accept the label of SCUM that the general public think of you!!