"You're only here once and should do what makes you happy. As long as I have a good income, can spend my free time doing the things I enjoy doing with my wife, friends and family, that's enough for me."
Here's an appraisal [edit: of the Bath UKIP event] from a perhaps slightly unexpected quarter - an independent (in at least one sense!) observer who is nevertheless well aware of the implications.
An observer whose interests are directly served by creating the impression that UKIP represents majority opinion in England. Can't think why!!!
Meanwhile, presumably Alyn Smith the SNP MEP will shortly be calling on the LDs to withdraw their scurrilous allegations over what he said at a Scottish Law Society meeting last night or face legal action:
... At a debate organised by the Law Society in Scotland, Alyn Smith, SNP MEP, said that the SNP leadership should admit that they had made a mistake over an independent Scotland’s EU membership. They assert that they would be able to get in with the same terms as the rest of the UK, despite a growing pile of evidence to the contrary. There is little doubt that an independent Scotland would get EU membership at some point, but the terms and the speed at which it would happen are far from clear. Smith told the astonished crowd that the SNP leadership had not listened to his advice that membership would not be as automatic as they had claimed.
To be fair, he didn't say majority opinion did he? - let alone a majority in Pmt - but he is quite right to take an interest. Polling suggests the prospect of Tory or Tory + UKIP rule would be a key additional factor in forcing a yes vote (slightly surprisingly given the similarity of Labour policies, but there we are). Moreover the latest polling confirms Scots remain in favour of the EU (on balance).
Thanks for that LD thing too. It's actually ambiguous as to what he actually said as opposed to what is LD comment, so I'll wait and see what he actually said from another source or two. In any case, debate and disagreement are healthy!
Mr. Charles, that reminds me of last night's ITV News at Ten. The economics editor visited Redcar, which he pronounced Red Car, rather than Redka (almost Redk).
He didn't. It was a full scale onslaught by by the MSM and the Lab/Lib/Con urging Farage to stand, in the hope of him coming 2nd or worse. His reasons for declining the poison chalice was sound and politicly wise.
He did. The speculation began when he said that he'd "seriously consider" standing if the by-election was post-Euros.
Which it had to be.....which he could have known.......
"Had dinner with Adam Boulton and the Sky News team tonight, as they prepare for election coverage of potential winning PPCs - all off the record so I won't quote anything, but an interesting session and illuminating about the leader debates."
Maybe you could point Adam Boulton in the direction of my candidates' list if you see him again. I don't think anyone else is doing one. --------------
OK - I have an email for follow-ups. Remind me what it comprises exactly and how to contact you?
Thanks Nick.
This is the candidates spreadsheet. My email address is in the title:
It's basically what it says on the tin. I only did it because no-one else seemed to be doing so. I'm sure each party has a list but they tend to keep them private.
He didn't. It was a full scale onslaught by by the MSM and the Lab/Lib/Con urging Farage to stand, in the hope of him coming 2nd or worse. His reasons for declining the poison chalice was sound and politicly wise.
He did. The speculation began when he said that he'd "seriously consider" standing if the by-election was post-Euros.
He did 'seriously consider' it, slept on it and decided it wasn't the right move
"You're only here once and should do what makes you happy. As long as I have a good income, can spend my free time doing the things I enjoy doing with my wife, friends and family, that's enough for me."
Spot on. In my case, it's retirement.
Haha! Not quite there yet ;-) God knows what the world will be like in 2050.
In a major setback, UKIP only secured 35% of the vote in yesterday's Euro Elections The result represents a major blow for the party and have prompted calls for leader Nigel Farage's resignation
The poll putting UKIP on 36% for the Euros just shows that Farage has made the right decision.
He (just) did it quickly enough not to suffer any lasting damage as a result of mulling it over too. The whole thing has been over within a single news cycle, so no one will really notice. Some would have done had the 'will he/won't he' spilled over into tonight's evening news bulletins.
The anti-UKIP brigade on Twitter are desperately trying to sell the line that Farage "bottled" Newark, but unfortunately their efforts are being eclipsed by this new poll giving the party a stunning 9% lead.
I'll not have anything said against the first Star Wars trilogy - it's a fabulous set of films, and the assault on Hoth in the second picture still looks world-class today. It's awe-inspiring in BluRay, and my young son loves the films. I despise the new films, but for some reason have higher hopes for the next set.
"You're only here once and should do what makes you happy. As long as I have a good income, can spend my free time doing the things I enjoy doing with my wife, friends and family, that's enough for me."
Being really serious, how do you manage retirement? My family are always nagging me to do so, but I am awake at 4am with new ideas running through my mind and every day I am thrilled and motivated in conquering a new challenge - in the office at 7am.
As technology and globalisation are moving so quickly, it is a very exciting time for adapting and growing businesses - only yesterday we had new business to solve problems with offshore oil rigs in Ghana and Singapore. Should I let the spring run down?
I'll not have anything said against the first Star Wars trilogy - it's a fabulous set of films, and the assault on Hoth in the second picture still looks world-class today. It's awe-inspiring in BluRay, and my young son loves the films. I despise the new films, but for some reason have higher hopes for the next set.
Hmm I think the first of the prequels set the tone wrongly for the others. There's some good things in both AOTC and RotS, maybe not enough to salvage the prequels as a whole though.
It's quite something to see when Lab/Lib/Con supporters on PB and in the MSM urge Farage to stand in Newark: all hoping to see him come unstuck by coming in second and derailing the UKIP advance.
This must be the first time I can remember in British politics when there is complete unanimity of Lab/Lib/Con in their hatred and fear of a fourth party.
Happy Birthday Mike.
Nige has already given you one gift by making the decision that's left the has been parties fuming, hope your other presents are as enjoyable
Perhaps being a bit cynical, but if UKIP won 100% of the GB seats at the EUROs - would it really make any difference?
Yes, there may be a few odd remarks in Brussels etc, but surely 2015 is the major focus and key.
Not directly, UKIP adopt the 'deny everything, Baldrick' approach. But it might mean the UK doesn't really amend/review proposed EU legislation in the EU parliament very much. Such influence can be exaggerated easily, but for a nation the size of the UK there is a little bit of opportunity to add a clause or two.
On the plus side it would put the heebie jeebies up the EU, as it realised British disengagement and withdrawal was becoming a serious prospect (similar to the UK government and SNP success in Scotland, encouraging the offer of devomax) thereby strengthening Cameron's hand in the renegotiation. Provided he dealt his cards correctly.
When will the political establishment/lefties on twitter/whatever realise that the more you call a substantial proportion of the country racist or xenophobic or the like, the more you just drive support to them and harden the support.
Perhaps being a bit cynical, but if UKIP won 100% of the GB seats at the EUROs - would it really make any difference?
Yes, there may be a few odd remarks in Brussels etc, but surely 2015 is the major focus and key.
Even with the lower turnout in the Euro elections, to win 100% of the seats under the D'Hondt system UKIP would have to receive almost as many votes as the Conservatives did in the 1992 general election, which is currently the record in terms of the absolute number of votes.
Consequently, it would be an enormous political earthquake, the likes of which no democracy has ever seen before.
Revolt on the Right @RevoltonRight 4m Westminster Village last week: "We must fight UKIP by exposing them as racist". Eur Par poll today: UKIP on 36%, 7 pts ahead of Lab
Mr. Slackbladder, it'll take time for them to adjust. People have been shouted down by playing the race card (cf immigration) and similar Guardianista dictionaries for so long that they've had enough of it, and the media/political class haven't adapted to that.
But it is possible to bottle it for the right reasons. As Farage told Today, ‘I’m a fighter, I’m a warrior, but you have to pick your battles in life’. Why exhaust yourself on a fight you don’t think you can win? Ukip’s image is still very fragile. Instead, Farage can raise the profile of another Diane James-style candidate which gives the impression that his party isn’t a one-man band. ‘It’s about time that we had other people with a high profile in this country,’ he said. He has bottled it, but he knows it’s better than jumping off a cliff now.
When will the political establishment/lefties on twitter/whatever realise that the more you call a substantial proportion of the country racist or xenophobic or the like, the more you just drive support to them and harden the support.
We'll see how hard the support is in 2015. But you are right: UKIP attracts its fair share of racists, but the vast majority of those who will vote for it next month are very far from that. In the same way, most people who vote Labour do not hate Britain, do not spend their days drinking champagne in Islington, are not immigrants and are not the feckless workshy.
When will the political establishment/lefties on twitter/whatever realise that the more you call a substantial proportion of the country racist or xenophobic or the like, the more you just drive support to them and harden the support.
They won't. They are in their comfort zone and like talking to themselves.
I challenged a leftie friend on this who posted an anti-UKIP diatribe on his Facebook page that was much 'liked' by his friends. I commented that it would have the exact opposite effect to what he intended, that I'd voted UKIP before and did not think Farage was an ogre.
When will the political establishment/lefties on twitter/whatever realise that the more you call a substantial proportion of the country racist or xenophobic or the like, the more you just drive support to them and harden the support.
Wait - what is Nick Griffin up to these days ? Oooh we mustn't have him on telly..
One way to burst a bubble is to blow it up - until it pops.
But it is possible to bottle it for the right reasons. As Farage told Today, ‘I’m a fighter, I’m a warrior, but you have to pick your battles in life’. Why exhaust yourself on a fight you don’t think you can win? Ukip’s image is still very fragile. Instead, Farage can raise the profile of another Diane James-style candidate which gives the impression that his party isn’t a one-man band. ‘It’s about time that we had other people with a high profile in this country,’ he said. He has bottled it, but he knows it’s better than jumping off a cliff now.
It's basically what it says on the tin. I only did it because no-one else seemed to be doing so. I'm sure each party has a list but they tend to keep them private.
Thanks, Andy. Can't actually see the email address though? If you want to let me know offsite, I'm on nickmp1 at aol dot com.
Oh and for the record. Right decision from Farage but bloody awful expectations management. He should have killed the speculation dead last night before it even started. There has been plenty of warning that this by-election might be called and UKIP should have had a strategy in place to deal with the speculation weeks ago.
I don't particularly buy the problem of looking "frit" in this case. People don't think Farage is the sort of person that runs from a fight, so therefore he doesn't need to worry about it. His main goal is to keep UKIP in people's minds, and so getting publicity from a "will he, won't he" case helps.
Farage interview with Norman Smith.Farage looking for a "3-way marginal"-presumably Con-Lab-Ukip- as ideal conditions for him to stand.South Thanet fits the bill-Ukip 9-4 but keep an eye on Great Yarmouth,another likely 3-way contest,where the current Ukip candidate faces the courts.Should the court decision go against him,another possibility emerges.Currently,Ukip are 5-1 in the constituency betting.
Revolt on the Right: Explaining Support for the Radical Right in Britain (Extremism and Democracy) [Paperback] Robert Ford (Author), Matthew J. Goodwin (Author) £14.99
Published this March, has anyone read this and is it worth buying?
When will the political establishment/lefties on twitter/whatever realise that the more you call a substantial proportion of the country racist or xenophobic or the like, the more you just drive support to them and harden the support.
Wait - what is Nick Griffin up to these days ? Oooh we mustn't have him on telly..
One way to burst a bubble is to blow it up - until it pops.
Ukip are hammering at the pump.
I agree on the BNP, but UKIP is not the BNP, and Farage is clearly not Griffin. The BNP are/were clearly a racist party, based on racist beliefs. UKIP is a different kettle of fish and speak and appeal to a much wider electorate.
In addition UKIP have broken out of that minority party shell, especially if they (which may well be likely) top the Euro election.
Right I've had a look at the seat, assessed the odds and I've bet the Conservatives.
They will lose vote share but looking at http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/election2013 the Conservatives held all the wards that make up the constituency (Except a single independent); the seat is #143 safest according to electoral calculus; it is projected to have an 86% chance of a hold by electoralcalculus.co.uk - (I reckon it is more like 70% though); Richard Tyndall of this parish reckons UKIP's chances are < 10%. And alot of people will take the 5-2 on UKIP whilst it is dreadful value I think. The 10-3 on Labour may also be value... but I'm not convinced their chances are 23% or higher.
Barbara Roche on Newsnight yesterday seemed to have a strange definition of the word "racist". As far as I know, Romanians aren't a different race to British people.
My goodness. What the other big parties really need to do now is go all in on presenting themselves as one establishment front, and scream "racist" even louder. That'll work wonders.
Oh and for the record. Right decision from Farage but bloody awful expectations management. He should have killed the speculation dead last night before it even started. There has been plenty of warning that this by-election might be called and UKIP should have had a strategy in place to deal with the speculation weeks ago.
I don't particularly buy the problem of looking "frit" in this case. People don't think Farage is the sort of person that runs from a fight, so therefore he doesn't need to worry about it. His main goal is to keep UKIP in people's minds, and so getting publicity from a "will he, won't he" case helps.
A one man band if he stood, a bottler if he didn't.
Of course he made the right decision, the frothing on here is your evidence
"Heads I win, tails you lose" from the MSM and worried PBers.. thought that was Dan Hodges territory
Barbara Roche on Newsnight yesterday seemed to have a strange definition of the word "racist". As far as I know, Romanians aren't a different race to British people.
It's no stranger than Nigel Farage's definition of race.
Revolt on the Right: Explaining Support for the Radical Right in Britain (Extremism and Democracy) [Paperback] Robert Ford (Author), Matthew J. Goodwin (Author) £14.99
Published this March, has anyone read this and is it worth buying?
When will the political establishment/lefties on twitter/whatever realise that the more you call a substantial proportion of the country racist or xenophobic or the like, the more you just drive support to them and harden the support.
We'll see how hard the support is in 2015. But you are right: UKIP attracts its fair share of racists, but the vast majority of those who will vote for it next month are very far from that. In the same way, most people who vote Labour do not hate Britain, do not spend their days drinking champagne in Islington, are not immigrants and are not the feckless workshy.
"You're only here once and should do what makes you happy. As long as I have a good income, can spend my free time doing the things I enjoy doing with my wife, friends and family, that's enough for me."
Barbara Roche on Newsnight yesterday seemed to have a strange definition of the word "racist". As far as I know, Romanians aren't a different race to British people.
It's no stranger than Nigel Farage's definition of race.
Barbara Roche on Newsnight yesterday seemed to have a strange definition of the word "racist". As far as I know, Romanians aren't a different race to British people.
Didn't the former Labour immigration minister Barbara Roche, coin the phrase 'Euracism' - I wonder how many voters are still scratching their heads over that piece of twaddle.
When will the political establishment/lefties on twitter/whatever realise that the more you call a substantial proportion of the country racist or xenophobic or the like, the more you just drive support to them and harden the support.
When Hague was Leader of the Tories and spoke in measured tones about immigration he was labelled as racist and discussion was largely shut down. Of course Labour ( rub the right's nose in it) shouted the loudest. So the tactic worked then. But probably won't now.
Barbara Roche on Newsnight yesterday seemed to have a strange definition of the word "racist". As far as I know, Romanians aren't a different race to British people.
It's no stranger than Nigel Farage's definition of race.
Good God man! Why don't you just come out and say things?!
Go on then, what is Nigel Farage's definition of race?
Barbara Roche on Newsnight yesterday seemed to have a strange definition of the word "racist". As far as I know, Romanians aren't a different race to British people.
It's no stranger than Nigel Farage's definition of race.
This should be media training in how not to deal with UKIP
Message to the establishment parties: stop picking on slightly thick UKIP candidates in backwaters like St Leonards. It's only increasing their support. Put forward some positive arguments in favour of Europe — such as this, for example:
Tories, I'd want a lot lot more than 2/1 to be punting on UKIP. Normally tory/labour would be at most 1/3 in one of their "safe" seats. Suspect the price will tighten once the media frenzy dies down.
The biggest thing which UKIP will do is UKIPise the tory party going forward.. there is no way which any future leader of the tories will be able to resist taking on and adopting some/most of UKIPs arguements.
Barbara Roche on Newsnight yesterday seemed to have a strange definition of the word "racist". As far as I know, Romanians aren't a different race to British people.
It's no stranger than Nigel Farage's definition of race.
Good God man! Why don't you just come out and say things?!
Go on then, what is Nigel Farage's definition of race?
A good old fashioned hundred yard dash, none of this French imported 'metre' rubbish.
I'll not have anything said against the first Star Wars trilogy - it's a fabulous set of films, and the assault on Hoth in the second picture still looks world-class today. It's awe-inspiring in BluRay, and my young son loves the films. I despise the new films, but for some reason have higher hopes for the next set.
Hmm I think the first of the prequels set the tone wrongly for the others. There's some good things in both AOTC and RotS, maybe not enough to salvage the prequels as a whole though.
Phantom Menance can go and die in a fire though.
I did enjoy the start of The Phantom Menace, especially as it showed the full capability of a light sabre and explains how Jedi can stand up to blasters etc. I even had a brief flirtation with designing one but it wouldn't have been a light sabre but a plasma sabre, contained by magnetic fields. Power source was a problem as I needed a small power station to make it work :-)
Barbara Roche on Newsnight yesterday seemed to have a strange definition of the word "racist". As far as I know, Romanians aren't a different race to British people.
It's no stranger than Nigel Farage's definition of race.
This should be media training in how not to deal with UKIP
Poor UKIP, even the BNP are attacking them in their election broadcast.
The biggest thing which UKIP will do is UKIPise the tory party going forward.. there is no way which any future leader of the tories will be able to resist taking on and adopting some/most of UKIPs arguements.
Whilst subjecting us to 5 years of Ed Miliband ?
Thanks Nige.
If they really wanted to get MPs and influence the Con party they would stand down in Eurosceptic Tory Mp seats - and focus on say 50-100 of the wettest candidate seats (inc Ken Clarke).
That they don't suggests it really is all about the cult of Nigel.
In the end, for all the man of the people, shredding the political Establishment, here comes the revolution shtick, Farage decided that he would lose in Newark. The self-styled champion of the people was afraid to put it to the people. Awkward.
The biggest thing which UKIP will do is UKIPise the tory party going forward.. there is no way which any future leader of the tories will be able to resist taking on and adopting some/most of UKIPs arguements.
Whilst subjecting us to 5 years of Ed Miliband ?
Thanks Nige.
If they really wanted to get MPs and influence the Con party they would stand down in Eurosceptic Tory Mp seats - and focus on say 50-100 of the wettest candidate seats (inc Ken Clarke).
That they don't suggests it really is all about the cult of Nigel.
They stood down in seats last time and all it did was make the Tories feel less threatened. If UKIP are seen to cost the Tories an election and threaten to do it again what Tory leader could make anything other than an unbreakable referendum pledge or dare break it?
According to the Daily Mail, the Rt Hon. Sir Alan Moses will head up the Independent Press Standards Organisation. With no regulator recognised by the government's Recognition Panel, sections 34 to 42 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 are still not in force. It seems unlikely that those provisions will enter into force any time soon. Has the press (contra Leveson and every major politician) set up a workable system of independent self-regulation for which no new legislation was needed?
Any party which could lose safe seats such as Ribble Valley in 1991 or Christchurch or Newbury in 1993 could lose Newark in 2014 if an opposition party got its act together .
Tories, I'd want a lot lot more than 2/1 to be punting on UKIP. Normally tory/labour would be at most 1/3 in one of their "safe" seats. Suspect the price will tighten once the media frenzy dies down.
I've just had as much as shadsy will allow me on the Conservatives in Newark. 8/11 is very generous considering that Labour would need a 16% swing and UKIP would need a 25% swing.
The biggest thing which UKIP will do is UKIPise the tory party going forward.. there is no way which any future leader of the tories will be able to resist taking on and adopting some/most of UKIPs arguements.
Whilst subjecting us to 5 years of Ed Miliband ?
Thanks Nige.
If they really wanted to get MPs and influence the Con party they would stand down in Eurosceptic Tory Mp seats - and focus on say 50-100 of the wettest candidate seats (inc Ken Clarke).
That they don't suggests it really is all about the cult of Nigel.
They stood down in seats last time and all it did was make the Tories feel less threatened. If UKIP are seen to cost the Tories an election and threaten to do it again what Tory leader could make anything other than an unbreakable referendum pledge or dare break it?
Which seats did they stand down in , can you post a link to the Ukip announcement of this and which Europhiliac Con seats did they target ?
Barbara Roche on Newsnight yesterday seemed to have a strange definition of the word "racist". As far as I know, Romanians aren't a different race to British people.
It's no stranger than Nigel Farage's definition of race.
I'm afraid that's the problem with the current narrative it's had its day. In decscending order
Racism Xenophobia Chauvinism Nationalism Putting your own interests first
The current attempts to wrap them all up as one package and call it racism are stupid and only fool the idiots trying to push the line "object to our view and you're a racist". In the end it's self defeating as it only reinforces the views of those being told they can't have an opinion.
Barbara Roche on Newsnight yesterday seemed to have a strange definition of the word "racist". As far as I know, Romanians aren't a different race to British people.
It's no stranger than Nigel Farage's definition of race.
This should be media training in how not to deal with UKIP
Poor UKIP, even the BNP are attacking them in their election broadcast.
Thank God UKIP have turned up to steer people away from them.
Can see why the poor & uneducated were tempted, but the difference is that UKIP stand up for British people of all hues, without a sinister undertone of race hate and white superiority while offering a middle way of controlled immigration rather than the extremes of the Labour, Conservatives and Lib Dems (uncontrolled) on one side and the BNP (none) on the other.
Tories, I'd want a lot lot more than 2/1 to be punting on UKIP. Normally tory/labour would be at most 1/3 in one of their "safe" seats. Suspect the price will tighten once the media frenzy dies down.
I've just had as much as shadsy will allow me on the Conservatives in Newark. 8/11 is very generous considering that Labour would need a 16% swing and UKIP would need a 25% swing.
You and @Astateofdenmark have convinced me as well as my own readings, just put another £50 on the Conservatives.
The biggest thing which UKIP will do is UKIPise the tory party going forward.. there is no way which any future leader of the tories will be able to resist taking on and adopting some/most of UKIPs arguements.
Whilst subjecting us to 5 years of Ed Miliband ?
Thanks Nige.
If they really wanted to get MPs and influence the Con party they would stand down in Eurosceptic Tory Mp seats - and focus on say 50-100 of the wettest candidate seats (inc Ken Clarke).
That they don't suggests it really is all about the cult of Nigel.
They stood down in seats last time and all it did was make the Tories feel less threatened. If UKIP are seen to cost the Tories an election and threaten to do it again what Tory leader could make anything other than an unbreakable referendum pledge or dare break it?
Which seats did they stand down in , can you post a link to the Ukip announcement of this and which Europhiliac Con seats did they target ?
The biggest thing which UKIP will do is UKIPise the tory party going forward.. there is no way which any future leader of the tories will be able to resist taking on and adopting some/most of UKIPs arguements.
Whilst subjecting us to 5 years of Ed Miliband ?
Thanks Nige.
If they really wanted to get MPs and influence the Con party they would stand down in Eurosceptic Tory Mp seats - and focus on say 50-100 of the wettest candidate seats (inc Ken Clarke).
That they don't suggests it really is all about the cult of Nigel.
They stood down in seats last time and all it did was make the Tories feel less threatened. If UKIP are seen to cost the Tories an election and threaten to do it again what Tory leader could make anything other than an unbreakable referendum pledge or dare break it?
Which seats did they stand down in , can you post a link to the Ukip announcement of this and which Europhiliac Con seats did they target ?
Barbara Roche on Newsnight yesterday seemed to have a strange definition of the word "racist". As far as I know, Romanians aren't a different race to British people.
It's no stranger than Nigel Farage's definition of race.
This should be media training in how not to deal with UKIP
Poor UKIP, even the BNP are attacking them in their election broadcast.
Thank God UKIP have turned up to steer people away from them.
Can see why the poor & uneducated were tempted, but the difference is that UKIP stand up for British people of all hues, without a sinister undertone of race hate and white superiority while offering a middle way of controlled immigration rather than the extremes of the Labour, Conservatives and Lib Dems (uncontrolled) on one side and the BNP (none) on the other.
What is UKIP's policy on penguins?
Ed Miliband going on the UKIP=Thatcherism line which is an interesting form of attack.
The biggest thing which UKIP will do is UKIPise the tory party going forward.. there is no way which any future leader of the tories will be able to resist taking on and adopting some/most of UKIPs arguements.
Whilst subjecting us to 5 years of Ed Miliband ?
Thanks Nige.
If they really wanted to get MPs and influence the Con party they would stand down in Eurosceptic Tory Mp seats - and focus on say 50-100 of the wettest candidate seats (inc Ken Clarke).
That they don't suggests it really is all about the cult of Nigel.
They stood down in seats last time and all it did was make the Tories feel less threatened. If UKIP are seen to cost the Tories an election and threaten to do it again what Tory leader could make anything other than an unbreakable referendum pledge or dare break it?
Which seats did they stand down in , can you post a link to the Ukip announcement of this and which Europhiliac Con seats did they target ?
The biggest thing which UKIP will do is UKIPise the tory party going forward.. there is no way which any future leader of the tories will be able to resist taking on and adopting some/most of UKIPs arguements.
Whilst subjecting us to 5 years of Ed Miliband ?
Thanks Nige.
If they really wanted to get MPs and influence the Con party they would stand down in Eurosceptic Tory Mp seats - and focus on say 50-100 of the wettest candidate seats (inc Ken Clarke).
That they don't suggests it really is all about the cult of Nigel.
They stood down in seats last time and all it did was make the Tories feel less threatened. If UKIP are seen to cost the Tories an election and threaten to do it again what Tory leader could make anything other than an unbreakable referendum pledge or dare break it?
Which seats did they stand down in , can you post a link to the Ukip announcement of this and which Europhiliac Con seats did they target ?
The other thing these tactics do is destroy the morale of half your foot-soldiers who you're asking to pound pavements.
on the other hand posts like that don't half piss off a load of righties and make UKIP seem like a bunch of Cameron-obsessed arses. Quite why you think a man who is a spent force is worthy of such venom shows you can't see beyond your own blinkers.
When will the political establishment/lefties on twitter/whatever realise that the more you call a substantial proportion of the country racist or xenophobic or the like, the more you just drive support to them and harden the support.
Wait - what is Nick Griffin up to these days ? Oooh we mustn't have him on telly..
One way to burst a bubble is to blow it up - until it pops.
Ukip are hammering at the pump.
I agree on the BNP, but UKIP is not the BNP, and Farage is clearly not Griffin. The BNP are/were clearly a racist party, based on racist beliefs. UKIP is a different kettle of fish and speak and appeal to a much wider electorate.
In addition UKIP have broken out of that minority party shell, especially if they (which may well be likely) top the Euro election.
@Slackbladder You can go on talking to people like @TGOHF in reasonable tones and arguments until the moon turns to green cheese. It won't make the slightest difference, as these wooden-headed types minds are made up, no matter what you say.
This could work out well for Farage - providing two things happen.
a) He gets a thumping win in the Euros, particularly over the Tories. Then he could claim to have made the right choice.
b) Ukip find a strong candidate for Newark like Diane James in Eastleigh who can at the very least run the Tories close, keeping the pressure on Dave. Without Farage a tight loss would now be enough to trigger the Tory paroxysms, as if Ukip can seriously challenge them with anyone, anywhere then that doesn't bodes well for the GE.
I can see why the Tories are dialing up the 'chicken' remarks, but not entirely sure why Labour are, should be focusing themselves a la the Lib Dems as 'The Real Alternative' to vote for as the only party who can beat UKIP, or the party which is starting to wish it was UKIP.
Barbara Roche on Newsnight yesterday seemed to have a strange definition of the word "racist". As far as I know, Romanians aren't a different race to British people.
It's no stranger than Nigel Farage's definition of race.
This should be media training in how not to deal with UKIP
Poor UKIP, even the BNP are attacking them in their election broadcast.
Barbara Roche on Newsnight yesterday seemed to have a strange definition of the word "racist". As far as I know, Romanians aren't a different race to British people.
It's no stranger than Nigel Farage's definition of race.
This should be media training in how not to deal with UKIP
Poor UKIP, even the BNP are attacking them in their election broadcast.
Thank God UKIP have turned up to steer people away from them.
Can see why the poor & uneducated were tempted, but the difference is that UKIP stand up for British people of all hues, without a sinister undertone of race hate and white superiority while offering a middle way of controlled immigration rather than the extremes of the Labour, Conservatives and Lib Dems (uncontrolled) on one side and the BNP (none) on the other.
What is UKIP's policy on penguins?
Ed Miliband going on the UKIP=Thatcherism line which is an interesting form of attack.
Ah let him carry on, plenty of working class voters supported Thatcher.
Honestly I believe the best way of defeating UKIP would be for the other parties to give positive examples to vote for them rather than scaremongering about UKIP... the negative approach simply isn't working, look at the polls/betting.
This reminds me of a controlling boyfriend that wont let an unhappy partner leave, and so slags off every other bloke in the area.. would be better off accepting it and giving reasons to stay/examples of how they've changed
The other three parties are playing such a short game here, smacks of desperation.. long may it continue
When will the political establishment/lefties on twitter/whatever realise that the more you call a substantial proportion of the country racist or xenophobic or the like, the more you just drive support to them and harden the support.
Wait - what is Nick Griffin up to these days ? Oooh we mustn't have him on telly..
One way to burst a bubble is to blow it up - until it pops.
Ukip are hammering at the pump.
I agree on the BNP, but UKIP is not the BNP, and Farage is clearly not Griffin. The BNP are/were clearly a racist party, based on racist beliefs. UKIP is a different kettle of fish and speak and appeal to a much wider electorate.
In addition UKIP have broken out of that minority party shell, especially if they (which may well be likely) top the Euro election.
@Slackbladder You can go on talking to people like @TGOHF in reasonable tones and arguments until the moon turns to green cheese. It won't make the slightest difference, as these wooden-headed types minds are made up, no matter what you say.
And your mind isn't made up? Is there any argument that a Europhile could make to persuade you that we might be better off in the EU?
Comments
"You're only here once and should do what makes you happy. As long as I have a good income, can spend my free time doing the things I enjoy doing with my wife, friends and family, that's enough for me."
Spot on. In my case, it's retirement.
Thanks for that LD thing too. It's actually ambiguous as to what he actually said as opposed to what is LD comment, so I'll wait and see what he actually said from another source or two. In any case, debate and disagreement are healthy!
"Oklahoma inmate dies after 'botched' lethal injection"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-27215508
This is the candidates spreadsheet. My email address is in the title:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0At91c3wX1Wu5dFkzTjFrRmJRN3F6ODBTTEs4NGFhcUE#gid=0
It's basically what it says on the tin. I only did it because no-one else seemed to be doing so. I'm sure each party has a list but they tend to keep them private.
Happy Birthday. Hope you have a joyful day. Will you be with family?
The result represents a major blow for the party and have prompted calls for leader Nigel Farage's resignation
Yes, there may be a few odd remarks in Brussels etc, but surely 2015 is the major focus and key.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/uproar-in-germany-as-putin-attends-schröder-party-1.1777890
Being really serious, how do you manage retirement? My family are always nagging me to do so, but I am awake at 4am with new ideas running through my mind and every day I am thrilled and motivated in conquering a new challenge - in the office at 7am.
As technology and globalisation are moving so quickly, it is a very exciting time for adapting and growing businesses - only yesterday we had new business to solve problems with offshore oil rigs in Ghana and Singapore. Should I let the spring run down?
Phantom Menance can go and die in a fire though.
Happy Birthday Mike.
Nige has already given you one gift by making the decision that's left the has been parties fuming, hope your other presents are as enjoyable
On the plus side it would put the heebie jeebies up the EU, as it realised British disengagement and withdrawal was becoming a serious prospect (similar to the UK government and SNP success in Scotland, encouraging the offer of devomax) thereby strengthening Cameron's hand in the renegotiation. Provided he dealt his cards correctly.
Consequently, it would be an enormous political earthquake, the likes of which no democracy has ever seen before.
http://labourlist.org/2014/04/unites-priority-is-a-labour-victory/
Also one by Sunny Hundal
http://labourlist.org/2014/04/why-british-politics-is-going-through-its-most-turbulent-time-in-modern-history/
Westminster Village last week: "We must fight UKIP by exposing them as racist". Eur Par poll today: UKIP on 36%, 7 pts ahead of Lab
http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/isabel-hardman/2014/04/farage-wisely-bottles-the-newark-by-election-im-a-fighter-im-a-warrior/
I challenged a leftie friend on this who posted an anti-UKIP diatribe on his Facebook page that was much 'liked' by his friends. I commented that it would have the exact opposite effect to what he intended, that I'd voted UKIP before and did not think Farage was an ogre.
He phoned me on my mobile to complain.
One way to burst a bubble is to blow it up - until it pops.
Ukip are hammering at the pump.
Matthew Goodwin @GoodwinMJ 1h
This is awful. Newark is anything but a headache for UKIP. http://bit.ly/1n05gi7
If we had any influence in the EU, why has the UK lost its challenge against the financial transaction tax? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27218615 …
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-26618246
Robert Ford (Author), Matthew J. Goodwin (Author) £14.99
Published this March, has anyone read this and is it worth buying?
In addition UKIP have broken out of that minority party shell, especially if they (which may well be likely) top the Euro election.
They will lose vote share but looking at http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/election2013 the Conservatives held all the wards that make up the constituency (Except a single independent); the seat is #143 safest according to electoral calculus; it is projected to have an 86% chance of a hold by electoralcalculus.co.uk - (I reckon it is more like 70% though); Richard Tyndall of this parish reckons UKIP's chances are < 10%. And alot of people will take the 5-2 on UKIP whilst it is dreadful value I think. The 10-3 on Labour may also be value... but I'm not convinced their chances are 23% or higher.
Farage not standing now makes it a bit safer too.
£12 Conservatives @ 8-11.
Of course he made the right decision, the frothing on here is your evidence
"Heads I win, tails you lose" from the MSM and worried PBers.. thought that was Dan Hodges territory
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Revolt-Right-Explaining-Extremism-Democracy-ebook/dp/B00J0A11IQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398777143&sr=8-1&keywords=revolt+on+the+right
"Wanted for short term job in Parliament but with long term prospects.
Who's young and bright with links to Nottinghamshire ?"
Go on then, what is Nigel Farage's definition of race?
And just been told that EU Elections market is temp suspended while prices revised.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeUucJ_txKw
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/seanthomas/100238999/heres-how-i-would-sell-the-european-union-if-i-had-to/
For OGH it was £12.50 IIRC.
Just seen the Roche appearance on Newsnight. Not staggeringly good.
Reading about Newark on the phone this morning has temporarily brought me back to life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am2-fVIkf8I
Thanks Nige.
If they really wanted to get MPs and influence the Con party they would stand down in Eurosceptic Tory Mp seats - and focus on say 50-100 of the wettest candidate seats (inc Ken Clarke).
That they don't suggests it really is all about the cult of Nigel.
Or do you misremember ?
Racism
Xenophobia
Chauvinism
Nationalism
Putting your own interests first
The current attempts to wrap them all up as one package and call it racism are stupid and only fool the idiots trying to push the line "object to our view and you're a racist". In the end it's self defeating as it only reinforces the views of those being told they can't have an opinion.
Meanwhile, in this straitened times, I hope the Conservatives will be able to recycle these, with a minor changew of 'Brown' to 'Nige':
http://conservatives.eurorscg.com/bottler-brown/
Can see why the poor & uneducated were tempted, but the difference is that UKIP stand up for British people of all hues, without a sinister undertone of race hate and white superiority while offering a middle way of controlled immigration rather than the extremes of the Labour, Conservatives and Lib Dems (uncontrolled) on one side and the BNP (none) on the other.
And they also consequently stood down their candidate against Mark Reckless in Rochester and Strood.
The other thing these tactics do is destroy the morale of half your foot-soldiers who you're asking to pound pavements.
Ed Miliband going on the UKIP=Thatcherism line which is an interesting form of attack.
on the other hand posts like that don't half piss off a load of righties and make UKIP seem like a bunch of Cameron-obsessed arses. Quite why you think a man who is a spent force is worthy of such venom shows you can't see beyond your own blinkers.
You can go on talking to people like @TGOHF in reasonable tones and arguments until the moon turns to green cheese. It won't make the slightest difference, as these wooden-headed types minds are made up, no matter what you say.
a) He gets a thumping win in the Euros, particularly over the Tories. Then he could claim to have made the right choice.
b) Ukip find a strong candidate for Newark like Diane James in Eastleigh who can at the very least run the Tories close, keeping the pressure on Dave. Without Farage a tight loss would now be enough to trigger the Tory paroxysms, as if Ukip can seriously challenge them with anyone, anywhere then that doesn't bodes well for the GE.
I can see why the Tories are dialing up the 'chicken' remarks, but not entirely sure why Labour are, should be focusing themselves a la the Lib Dems as 'The Real Alternative' to vote for as the only party who can beat UKIP, or the party which is starting to wish it was UKIP.
Going to be like this in every half-plausible by-election.
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-27218615
Honestly I believe the best way of defeating UKIP would be for the other parties to give positive examples to vote for them rather than scaremongering about UKIP... the negative approach simply isn't working, look at the polls/betting.
This reminds me of a controlling boyfriend that wont let an unhappy partner leave, and so slags off every other bloke in the area.. would be better off accepting it and giving reasons to stay/examples of how they've changed
The other three parties are playing such a short game here, smacks of desperation.. long may it continue