Nigel Farage has allegedly disparaged an entire race of people, the Romanians. Why haven't well-known Romanian contributors to British society been appearing on TV to refute such base accusations? Are there any?
The Cheeky Girls? What about Count Dracula, but is he Romanian or Hungarian? Either way still probably the kind of person Farage doesn't want moving in next door.
Maybe the James O'Brien interview was just sparring for Farage.. on Newsnight this evening vs Paxo!
Do you think David Cameron would ever be willing to face Paxman on a day of attacks like this?
I doubt it
UKIP must believe that all publicity is a net positive.. I know its anecdotal and I live in a strong UKIP area, but everyone I speak to seems to be voting for them. The glossy, airbrushed perfect image everyone presents nowadays on facebook/twitter etc is wearing thin. I dont think being seen to make mistakes or gaffes is as damaging as it used to be
They just tell you that to get rid of you.
I think we can expect UKIP to poll very well in Havering, where Isam lives.
Are you standing in Berchtesgaden your ideological home ?
For some reason that has made me want a stein of the finest German beer.
I'm sat here swilling beer in my Lederhosen.
Isn't that a bit uncomfortable, Mr. Brooke?
I hope no one is watching.
Ah Mr Pole, glad your back.
I've been trying to fill the smear UKIP slot in your absence, but now you're back I can return to smearing Osborne.
he's crap you know.
So you must have been reporting Helmer's henchmen taking on a disabled political opponent in Newark Market Square.
I am almost as outraged as John Mann MP.
No doubt Socrates will put it all down to media bias.
Just shows what lily livered wusses we've become. Helmer should borrow Erdogans Spad to liven the election up a bit.
The Tories aren't liberals, as the GCHQ intrusions and snooper's charter show very well. They're more just the front group for the elite: siding with big business on economic matters, government agencies on individual privacy matters, and the PC commentariat on what we're allowed to say on social issues.
You define 'not liberal' as anything you don't like, which is a curiously selective list.
Have you ever once given Cameron credit for any of the liberal reforms the government has brought in? There's a good assesment here, 9 out of 14 pledges achieved and three in progress
I define "liberal" as rights and protections from government, as it has always been defined. In terms of that list, there are a few good things on there but (a) it counts as 'done' stuff like the British Bill of Rights, which never happened, (b) it equally weights pledges, when some obviously matter a lot more than others (like rolling back New Labour's erosion of civil liberties and (c) it completely ignores the authoritarian crap they're going along with which wasn't mentioned in their manifesto, like mass gathering of screenshots from private video calls and a whole new snooper's charter.
A couple of curiousities from the Euro election campaign.
Has anyone made the positive case for unrestricted immigration from the EU? Is there one?
Nigel Farage has allegedly disparaged an entire race of people, the Romanians. Why haven't well-known Romanian contributors to British society been appearing on TV to refute such base accusations? Are there any?
Good guestion, are there any? My quess is no, if there were any then the media would have already found them in these past 3 months of mud to UKIP mode.
Channel 4 had a Romanian dentist. He didn't like UKIP.
Com Res, UKIP 33%, Labour 27%, Conservative 20%, Lib Dem 7%, Green 6%, Others 7%.
violent fruitcakes on the slide. 67% of voters don't support UKIP whereas 20% positively back Cameron.
lol,nasty smearing tories on the slide.
TJ there was an afternoon gap in the call UKIP racists programme so I was asked to fill in. But now Avery's back we can all enjoy stories on Nigel's summer job as Grand Wizard of the KKK.
Anyways you must be bricking it what with Cameron flying high on 20% and closing. It's all support from Scotland I'm told.
lol
Wasn't having a go at you alan ;-) but alot of what our tim use to call pb tories have really turned me off the con party in the last few weeks.
A couple of curiousities from the Euro election campaign.
Has anyone made the positive case for unrestricted immigration from the EU? Is there one?
Nigel Farage has allegedly disparaged an entire race of people, the Romanians. Why haven't well-known Romanian contributors to British society been appearing on TV to refute such base accusations? Are there any?
Good guestion, are there any? My quess is no, if there were any then the media would have already found them in these past 3 months of mud to UKIP mode.
Channel 4 had a Romanian dentist. He didn't like UKIP.
Good score for Channel 4's investigative journalism.
The Tories aren't liberals, as the GCHQ intrusions and snooper's charter show very well. They're more just the front group for the elite: siding with big business on economic matters, government agencies on individual privacy matters, and the PC commentariat on what we're allowed to say on social issues.
You define 'not liberal' as anything you don't like, which is a curiously selective list.
Have you ever once given Cameron credit for any of the liberal reforms the government has brought in? There's a good assesment here, 9 out of 14 pledges achieved and three in progress
I define "liberal" as rights and protections from government, as it has always been defined. In terms of that list, there are a few good things on there but (a) it counts as 'done' stuff like the British Bill of Rights, which never happened, (b) it equally weights pledges, when some obviously matter a lot more than others (like rolling back New Labour's erosion of civil liberties and (c) it completely ignores the authoritarian crap they're going along with which wasn't mentioned in their manifesto, like mass gathering of screenshots from private video calls and a whole new snooper's charter.
Com Res, UKIP 33%, Labour 27%, Conservative 20%, Lib Dem 7%, Green 6%, Others 7%.
violent fruitcakes on the slide. 67% of voters don't support UKIP whereas 20% positively back Cameron.
lol,nasty smearing tories on the slide.
TJ there was an afternoon gap in the call UKIP racists programme so I was asked to fill in. But now Avery's back we can all enjoy stories on Nigel's summer job as Grand Wizard of the KKK.
Anyways you must be bricking it what with Cameron flying high on 20% and closing. It's all support from Scotland I'm told.
lol
Wasn't having a go at you alan ;-) but alot of what our tim use to call pb tories have really turned me off the con party in the last few weeks.
tim's definition of PB Tory was pretty wide though. I'm the local chair of the SWP and was called a PB Tory ;-)
I define "liberal" as rights and protections from government, as it has always been defined. In terms of that list, there are a few good things on there but (a) it counts as 'done' stuff like the British Bill of Rights, which never happened, (b) it equally weights pledges, when some obviously matter a lot more than others (like rolling back New Labour's erosion of civil liberties and (c) it completely ignores the authoritarian crap they're going along with which wasn't mentioned in their manifesto, like mass gathering of screenshots from private video calls and a whole new snooper's charter.
Com Res, UKIP 33%, Labour 27%, Conservative 20%, Lib Dem 7%, Green 6%, Others 7%.
violent fruitcakes on the slide. 67% of voters don't support UKIP whereas 20% positively back Cameron.
lol,nasty smearing tories on the slide.
TJ there was an afternoon gap in the call UKIP racists programme so I was asked to fill in. But now Avery's back we can all enjoy stories on Nigel's summer job as Grand Wizard of the KKK.
Anyways you must be bricking it what with Cameron flying high on 20% and closing. It's all support from Scotland I'm told.
lol
Wasn't having a go at you alan ;-) but alot of what our tim use to call pb tories have really turned me off the con party in the last few weeks.
tim's definition of PB Tory was pretty wide though. I'm the local chair of the SWP and was called a PB Tory ;-)
After a very long, manic, sticky Monday that made me LOL. Hats off sir!
Axing the ID card abomination was a very good step, but I must agree there's a lack of properly liberal thinking in politics (cf the de facto blasphemy censorship we have seen over Jesus and Mo). A real liberal would be outraged by that, not considering deselecting Majjid Nawaz[sp].
First time back on this site since the 2005 GE. I've a new found interest in Politics and intend to hopefully do some speculating. I've a few positions on Labour to win the popular vote in the Euros and Layed UKIP on Betfair. Can anyone give me an idea of what kind of liquidity we can expect come election count on Sunday when the market goes in play? I really want to increase my positions with a view to trading out but I don't want to get get caught out with low liquidity. 56k matched so far doesn't look too encouraging.
The Tories aren't liberals, as the GCHQ intrusions and snooper's charter show very well. They're more just the front group for the elite: siding with big business on economic matters, government agencies on individual privacy matters, and the PC commentariat on what we're allowed to say on social issues.
You define 'not liberal' as anything you don't like, which is a curiously selective list.
Have you ever once given Cameron credit for any of the liberal reforms the government has brought in? There's a good assesment here, 9 out of 14 pledges achieved and three in progress
Er no. The things that Socrates lists are, almost by definition, the antithesis of liberalism. The one good, unimpeachable thing that Cameron has done was Gay marriage and all it implied for an adult attitude to gays in society. But sadly apart from that his record on civil liberties has been very poor since he came to power.
Before he came to power I would add he was instrumental in defeating a raft of illiberal measures by the former government and again he should be congratulated. It is just a shame that attitude has not been sustained into government.
It seems good liberal intentions are easily jettisoned once in office, unfortunately.
"Nigel Farage has allegedly disparaged an entire race of people, the Romanians"
Point of order, Mr Chairman, The Romanians may be described as a nation, they do not constitute a race.
That depends on your definition of race . The Norfolk Swallowtail butterfly is classed as a different sub species or race from the European Swallowtail and both are different to the Scandinavian sub species . The main difference between britannicus and gorganus is the food plant of the caterpillar . On that basis Germans are a different race to us because they eat sauerkraut and we don't .
A couple of curiousities from the Euro election campaign.
Has anyone made the positive case for unrestricted immigration from the EU? Is there one?
Nigel Farage has allegedly disparaged an entire race of people, the Romanians. Why haven't well-known Romanian contributors to British society been appearing on TV to refute such base accusations? Are there any?
Here is Dr. Tommy Tomescu, who runs the Alliance Against Romanian & Bulgarian Discrimination. A bit worthy and dull but pertinent.
A video entitled "Why I Think Nigel Farage Should be PerProsecuted"
Axing the ID card abomination was a very good step, but I must agree there's a lack of properly liberal thinking in politics (cf the de facto blasphemy censorship we have seen over Jesus and Mo). A real liberal would be outraged by that, not considering deselecting Majjid Nawaz[sp].
it's now just getting beyond ridiculous, Cooper and Lammy attack Farage as a racist.These attacks remind me of generals fighting the last war not this one. Increasingly Farage is getting to be the underdog of UK politics and picking up support as a result.
Mr. Briskin, disagree. You're confusing actual liberals with Lib Dems. It was fun watching them suddenly become hard right Tories when the London looting exploded in 2011.
Mr. Speedy, many are, but freedom of speech matters more than the right not to be offended, and non-Muslims cannot legitimately be bound by Islamic rules.
Nigel Farage has allegedly disparaged an entire race of people, the Romanians. Why haven't well-known Romanian contributors to British society been appearing on TV to refute such base accusations? Are there any?
The Cheeky Girls? What about Count Dracula, but is he Romanian or Hungarian? Either way still probably the kind of person Farage doesn't want moving in next door.
Yay, the Cheeky Girls. Let's see Lembit Opik out there defending Romanians.
Count Dracula (the fictional one) would be an undesirable neighbour, but there is much to admire about Vlad the Impaler.
So two of the big "news" stories today are the witch-hunts of Farage and Scudamore. Had I not already voted by post I would now be voting UKIP. I do have someone else's proxy but I promised to vote in the way they want and a promise has to be kept. That said, the effect of these witch-hunts is to recall.
First they came for UKIP, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Kipper.....
Mike - did you see Full yougov polls for London and for Wales today? They are both very good for Labour - I often feel the small samples don't help - whereas these two full 1000+ polls show a much more positive figure for Labour
Then again, it was not Farage who claimed whites like to divide and rule, and it was not Farage who called a Cabinet Minister a 'ginger rodent'.
Mr D
the last week hasn't really been one of PBs better ones. The endless kipper sledging was just pointless. I can only assume all 3 parties are now seeing chunks of support drifting off and just don't know how to stop it.
A couple of curiousities from the Euro election campaign.
Has anyone made the positive case for unrestricted immigration from the EU? Is there one?
Nigel Farage has allegedly disparaged an entire race of people, the Romanians. Why haven't well-known Romanian contributors to British society been appearing on TV to refute such base accusations? Are there any?
Here is Dr. Tommy Tomescu, who runs the Alliance Against Romanian & Bulgarian Discrimination. A bit worthy and dull but pertinent.
A video entitled "Why I Think Nigel Farage Should be PerProsecuted"
There are also the Cantacuzino family, but I don't think they talk in public to anyone below the social rank of Old Etonian.
Well, I've never heard of him.
But, I have heard of TSE, and a pretty vivid description of the Romanian Roma in Britain he's given. Also, I've heard some rum things how Romanian Roma children are brought up, hence all the FARA shops I keep seeing.
it's now just getting beyond ridiculous, Cooper and Lammy attack Farage as a racist.These attacks remind me of generals fighting the last war not this one. Increasingly Farage is getting to be the underdog of UK politics and picking up support as a result.
it's now just getting beyond ridiculous, Cooper and Lammy attack Farage as a racist.These attacks remind me of generals fighting the last war not this one. Increasingly Farage is getting to be the underdog of UK politics and picking up support as a result.
A couple of curiousities from the Euro election campaign.
Has anyone made the positive case for unrestricted immigration from the EU? Is there one?
Nigel Farage has allegedly disparaged an entire race of people, the Romanians. Why haven't well-known Romanian contributors to British society been appearing on TV to refute such base accusations? Are there any?
Here is Dr. Tommy Tomescu, who runs the Alliance Against Romanian & Bulgarian Discrimination. A bit worthy and dull but pertinent.
A video entitled "Why I Think Nigel Farage Should be PerProsecuted"
There are also the Cantacuzino family, but I don't think they talk in public to anyone below the social rank of Old Etonian.
I don't know if their the same family but the Cantacuzino's were duke's that tried to take the throne of the Byzantine Empire in the 14th century, if it's the same ones then hurray for 700 years of social mobility.
it's now just getting beyond ridiculous, Cooper and Lammy attack Farage as a racist.These attacks remind me of generals fighting the last war not this one. Increasingly Farage is getting to be the underdog of UK politics and picking up support as a result.
A sizable chunk of the population thinks Farage is either racist or trying to appeal to racists, but they're not among UKIP supporters.
and another sizable chunk don't and will vote for him. What we have is simply mindless sledging from the 3 mainstream parties and their flunkies. Since they don't know how to deal with the issues raised.
Classic tactics of the miss called Unite Against Fascism or one of their splinter groups. Act in an provocative manor to get some kind of response then report this to the police who will be duty bound to investigate. A negative headline for UKIP. This was a tactic that was used on BNP to good effect and the UKIP are getting some of the treatment. Who next? This kind of electioneering is typical of a banana republic, can we really be comfortable with these tactics even if we despise the politics of such groups?
Mike - did you see Full yougov polls for London and for Wales today? They are both very good for Labour - I often feel the small samples don't help - whereas these two full 1000+ polls show a much more positive figure for Labour
I posted the London poll on here last week, it had very little publicity as you say, not least from the Standard, which buried it. Great poll for Labour - but London, already a Labour city, is trending even more left, possibly in rebellion to the anti-immigrant, anti-euro, illiberal trend elsewhere.
Maybe the James O'Brien interview was just sparring for Farage.. on Newsnight this evening vs Paxo!
Do you think David Cameron would ever be willing to face Paxman on a day of attacks like this?
I doubt it
UKIP must believe that all publicity is a net positive.. I know its anecdotal and I live in a strong UKIP area, but everyone I speak to seems to be voting for them. The glossy, airbrushed perfect image everyone presents nowadays on facebook/twitter etc is wearing thin. I dont think being seen to make mistakes or gaffes is as damaging as it used to be
They just tell you that to get rid of you.
I think we can expect UKIP to poll very well in Havering, where Isam lives.
Are you standing in Berchtesgaden your ideological home ?
Sadly not, on this occasion. However, I've just downed a bottle of Franzischkaner, while singing Tomorrow Belongs to Me.
Just a thought. I struggled through the Sunday Politics yesterday (Neil gets ever more annoying), so see the lass from the Statesman say the Liberals were "very resilient". How resilient are they, I mean really? Are they really going to survive annihilation at the Euros and the GE? Really?
One of the worst travesties on U tube was the moron who posted Alex Harvey's version with Nazi pictures. (read the real description from one of the band members)
BobaFett - the Welsh full yougov poll shows a dip in the previous Welsh poll for Labour- but a huge rise for Labour and UKIP from the 2009 result. The 2010 general election polls underestimated Labour in London, Wales(slightly), the North and Scotland - I think the polls are doing the same again this time. The small samples may add up to 1000 but each sample itself is often just not reliable
One of the worst travesties on U tube was the moron who posted Alex Harvey's version with Nazi pictures. (read the real description from one of the band members)
I like to annoy the old punks by telling them Alex was punk before they were born. But yes, they were stunning in a dirty sweaty Glasgow pub before they made a "name", and many more years ago than I care to think.
Just a thought. I struggled through the Sunday Politics yesterday (Neil gets ever more annoying), so see the lass from the Statesman say the Liberals were "very resilient". How resilient are they, I mean really? Are they really going to survive annihilation at the Euros and the GE? Really?
In a previous incarnation they were reduced to less than 10 MPs, and yet rebuilt themselves into a political force which secured near a quarter of the vote at a GE and at one time over 60 MPs. I dare say that number being reduced by possibly a half, and a wipeout of their MEPs, will result in major soul searching and significant change at somepoint, a recognition that if they are to maintain the focuses they hold, they can no longer rely on the protest vote to inflate their numbers by so much as happened until 2010, but survive? Of course. The leadership may end up culled, the direction of the party radically altered from recent times for a much reduced party, but something will remain - there are still enough people who don't wish to vote for Tory or Labour, but are not yet tempted by UKIP, to keep them around as a force.
A couple of curiousities from the Euro election campaign.
Has anyone made the positive case for unrestricted immigration from the EU? Is there one?
Nigel Farage has allegedly disparaged an entire race of people, the Romanians. Why haven't well-known Romanian contributors to British society been appearing on TV to refute such base accusations? Are there any?
Here is Dr. Tommy Tomescu, who runs the Alliance Against Romanian & Bulgarian Discrimination. A bit worthy and dull but pertinent.
A video entitled "Why I Think Nigel Farage Should be PerProsecuted"
There are also the Cantacuzino family, but I don't think they talk in public to anyone below the social rank of Old Etonian.
I don't know if their the same family but the Cantacuzino's were duke's that tried to take the throne of the Byzantine Empire in the 14th century, if it's the same ones then hurray for 700 years of social mobility.
I believe they are descendants of John Cantacuzenus. IIRC, a female member of the family had a long-standing affair with Patrick Leigh-Fermour.
Classic tactics of the miss called Unite Against Fascism or one of their splinter groups. Act in an provocative manor to get some kind of response then report this to the police who will be duty bound to investigate. A negative headline for UKIP. This was a tactic that was used on BNP to good effect and the UKIP are getting some of the treatment. Who next? This kind of electioneering is typical of a banana republic, can we really be comfortable with these tactics even if we despise the politics of such groups?
From the reports it was an anti-sleaze protest including the Chair of the local Police Committee but will the neo-nazis in Britain First now congregate to Newark to "protect" Helmer as they did Farage in Margate?Are Ukip happy to be "protected" by the equivalent of Ernst Röhm's SA?
Heckling politicians is an ancient and venerable right. Provoking, insulting, and threatening them by getting "in their face" is the lowest of the low.
Classic tactics of the miss called Unite Against Fascism or one of their splinter groups. Act in an provocative manor to get some kind of response then report this to the police who will be duty bound to investigate. A negative headline for UKIP. This was a tactic that was used on BNP to good effect and the UKIP are getting some of the treatment. Who next? This kind of electioneering is typical of a banana republic, can we really be comfortable with these tactics even if we despise the politics of such groups?
From the reports it was an anti-sleaze protest including the Chair of the local Police Committee but will the neo-nazis in Britain First now congregate to Newark to "protect" Helmer as they did Farage in Margate?Are Ukip happy to be "protected" by the equivalent of Ernst Röhm's SA?</blockquote
Shame you are repeating myths by the Pro-EU front group Hope Not Hate. They do so love making this stuff up and watching useful idiots in the blogosphere spread it around.
Heckling politicians is an ancient and venerable right. Provoking, insulting, and threatening them by getting "in their face" is the lowest of the low.
I believe even UKIP are saying that Helmer went over to them rather than them going to Helmer.
@corporeal When my friends got divorced, I would sympathize with both equally, it would be years before both their recollections started to coalesce. I wasn't present when they had their confrontation, so as with the divorced couples, I will wait and see.
Tom Newton Dunn @tnewtondunn · 7 mins EXCL: YouGov/Sun poll tonight - Labour lead in euro elections as UKIP slips, + Libs down to 5th. LAB 28%, UKIP 24%, CON 21%, GRN 12%, LD 10%
Tom Newton Dunn @tnewtondunn · 6 mins EXCL: YouGov/Sun poll tonight - General Election vote; LAB 37%, CON 33%, UKIP 11%, LDEM 9%. UKIP at lowest since mid April. Romania effect?
No,2 weeks of non stop smearing would do it dunny.
Alex Harvey was bloody awesome. 'Next' is an incredible, vicious, polemic set to music. Just fabulous.
How do you think the by-election is going, Richard? (Genuine question - I've no idea about it.)
Suprisingly low key at the moment. I have been in Newark most days this week and apart from the two offices for UKIP and the Conservatives on opposite sides of the market square the only real sign of campaigning has been the "Stop Commercial Banks Owning Britain's Money" candidate Dick Rogers who has been out there gamely every day with a big poster board on his pack campaigning for a fairer Britain. No idea what he actually means by that but he is a terribly friendly and engaging bloke who kind of reminds me of one of those street conversion Christians you sometimes get reading passages from the bible.
The UKIP office and Conservative office both seem busy and there is no sign of any aggro at the moment - the stuff being reported in the news tonight actually took place in Retford not Newark so I assume was part of the Euro campaign rather than the By election as Retford is no longer in the constituency. Never trust the media to get anything right :-)
I still contend this is a shoe in for Jenrick as I don't think Newark has the right demographics for UKIP and I again think that is a shame because Jenrick strikes me as a party placeman rather than the independent sort of MP I would like to see in the town.
I have seen no signs yet that would indicate to me we are heading for any sort of upset.
The Lib Dems don't seem to be taking the whole thing seriously at all - they only got their candidate sorted out last week.
If I was going to make a prediction it would be Tory hold with much reduced majority, UKIP then Labour with the Lib Dems very lucky to save their deposit and probably in 5th or 6th.
Tom Newton Dunn @tnewtondunn · 7 mins EXCL: YouGov/Sun poll tonight - Labour lead in euro elections as UKIP slips, + Libs down to 5th. LAB 28%, UKIP 24%, CON 21%, GRN 12%, LD 10%
Is 3 days to stop UKIP from winning enough for the media?
Tom Newton Dunn @tnewtondunn · 6 mins EXCL: YouGov/Sun poll tonight - General Election vote; LAB 37%, CON 33%, UKIP 11%, LDEM 9%. UKIP at lowest since mid April. Romania effect?
No,2 weeks of non stop smearing would do it dunny.
UKIP voters going back to Labour? The Farage strategy of going after Labour votes will never work because the smears are more effective on Labour to UKIP voters than CON to UKIP ones.
From the BBC and in the tradition of reporting all the candidates standing when discussing a by election :-)
The full list of candidates, in alphabetical order by surname, is:
Baggaley, Paul Stephen - Independent Bishop, David Laurence - Bus-Pass Elvis Party Brick, Nick The Flying - The Official Monster Raving Loony Party Hayes, Andy - Independent Helmer, Roger - UK Independence Party (UKIP) Jenrick, Robert Edward - The Conservative Party Kirwan, David Charles - Green Party Payne, Michael - Labour Party Rodgers, Dick - Stop Commercial Banks Owning Britain's Money Watts, David Kenneth - Liberal Democrat Woods, Lee - Patriotic Socialist Party
LOL, Tories , who have more faces than the town clock , you cannot beat them , always snivelling when they are not lying through their teeth.
I am really looking forward to the Indyref. If the vote is YES I can hope for greater chances of permanent Tory majority in Westminster. If the vote is NO then I will be pleased that the union has survived. So something to celebrate either way. But above all maybe we can hope that the miserable, whining Nats will shut up for a few years.
Tom Newton Dunn @tnewtondunn · 6 mins EXCL: YouGov/Sun poll tonight - General Election vote; LAB 37%, CON 33%, UKIP 11%, LDEM 9%. UKIP at lowest since mid April. Romania effect?
No,2 weeks of non stop smearing would do it dunny.
I don't rate yougov at all when it comes to the Ukip score.
Farage should never have gone on the hunt for Labour votes, he broke the "my enemy's enemy is my friend" rule that Labour and the media used for not attacking him. Before he only had the Tory establishment against him now he has everyone against him. I don't know if he can still revert to the old strategy that worked of being an opposition to the government, instead of being an opposition to the opposition.
A couple of curiousities from the Euro election campaign.
Has anyone made the positive case for unrestricted immigration from the EU? Is there one?
Nigel Farage has allegedly disparaged an entire race of people, the Romanians. Why haven't well-known Romanian contributors to British society been appearing on TV to refute such base accusations? Are there any?
Probably the most famous Rumanian in Britain was Ghita Ionescu. A former diplomat who settled in Britain , taught Politics at Manchester and the LSE, and founded the journal Government and Opposition. He was a prolific scholar - originally on eastern Europe and later on European unity and democracy. After the fall of communism he was awarded an honorary doctorate at the University of Bucharest. Unfortunately he died in 1996 without issue.
Got a feeling labour will win Euro's now,with Ukip sliding down into second with the non stop attacks on ukip from especially who you think were ukip friends in the media (some tory supporting newspapers)
It will be funny after all these attacks on ukip,labour win Euro's easily and tories finish going under 20%,the tactic by the tory press will have backfired with miliband and labour coming out on top.
Farage should never have gone on the hunt for Labour votes, he broke the "my enemy's enemy is my friend" rule that Labour and the media used for not attacking him. Before he only had the Tory establishment against him now he has everyone against him. I don't know if he can still revert to the old strategy that worked of being an opposition to the government, instead of being an opposition to the opposition.
That depends on the target seats that emerge from the local elections.
It's not clear to me that the media/politcal parties can sway public opinion that much. It means UKIP are working against a headwind, but that could be good for them. Shake out the wrinkles before the general election campaign.
I wouldn't worry. After a fortnights crowing by the winner, and the usual excuses by the other parties, Most of the country won't have a clue who the hell won or lost
it's now just getting beyond ridiculous, Cooper and Lammy attack Farage as a racist.These attacks remind me of generals fighting the last war not this one. Increasingly Farage is getting to be the underdog of UK politics and picking up support as a result.
They should be very careful or this could seriously backfire this time next week. If UKIP top the ballot and do well in Labour areas then the question is going to be "How badly are Labour doing, Ms Cooper, if you are losing to a racist party in your own back yard?"
If UKIP come 3rd next week, then the story will be the bubble has burst (although UKIP will still be able to point to likely record national vote share). If Lab or Con come 3rd then prepare for media meltdown
O/T - I spent the weekend in Dublin where like us they have local as well as Euro elections. There are huge numbers of posters up on every lamp post. As the Irish have open list rather than closed list for the Euros there are multiple posters for each party with different candidates.
The view in the press is that of the current coalition Fine Gael will hold up reasonably well while Labour will take a hammering. One of the austerity measures introduced has been charges for water (this is currently free!) The Socialists have dubbed this in their posters the Water Tax (another poster also had "Cost of living crisis!"). The previous incumbents of Fianna Fail and the Greens are not expected to see any gain although Fianna Fail may hold their current seats. The big winners are expected to be Sinn Fein who are not tainted by government and are I think the most EU sceptic party in Ireland
Comments
What about Count Dracula, but is he Romanian or Hungarian? Either way still probably the kind of person Farage doesn't want moving in next door.
Point of order, Mr Chairman, The Romanians may be described as a nation, they do not constitute a race.
Wasn't having a go at you alan ;-) but alot of what our tim use to call pb tories have really turned me off the con party in the last few weeks.
I define "liberal" as rights and protections from government, as it has always been defined. In terms of that list, there are a few good things on there but (a) it counts as 'done' stuff like the British Bill of Rights, which never happened, (b) it equally weights pledges, when some obviously matter a lot more than others (like rolling back New Labour's erosion of civil liberties and (c) it completely ignores the authoritarian crap they're going along with which wasn't mentioned in their manifesto, like mass gathering of screenshots from private video calls and a whole new snooper's charter.
Defined by you. Not by history.
Hats off sir!
Welcome to pb.com, Mr. Matt.
Axing the ID card abomination was a very good step, but I must agree there's a lack of properly liberal thinking in politics (cf the de facto blasphemy censorship we have seen over Jesus and Mo). A real liberal would be outraged by that, not considering deselecting Majjid Nawaz[sp].
A video entitled "Why I Think Nigel Farage Should be PerProsecuted"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9GoHazyG60
There are also the Cantacuzino family, but I don't think they talk in public to anyone below the social rank of Old Etonian.
it's now just getting beyond ridiculous, Cooper and Lammy attack Farage as a racist.These attacks remind me of generals fighting the last war not this one. Increasingly Farage is getting to be the underdog of UK politics and picking up support as a result.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/may/19/nigel-farage-racist-yvette-cooper-david-lammy
Mr. Briskin, disagree. You're confusing actual liberals with Lib Dems. It was fun watching them suddenly become hard right Tories when the London looting exploded in 2011.
Mr. Speedy, many are, but freedom of speech matters more than the right not to be offended, and non-Muslims cannot legitimately be bound by Islamic rules.
Count Dracula (the fictional one) would be an undesirable neighbour, but there is much to admire about Vlad the Impaler.
Then again, it was not Farage who claimed whites like to divide and rule, and it was not Farage who called a Cabinet Minister a 'ginger rodent'.
Had I not already voted by post I would now be voting UKIP. I do have someone else's proxy but I promised to vote in the way they want and a promise has to be kept. That said, the effect of these witch-hunts is to recall.
First they came for UKIP, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Kipper.....
They are both very good for Labour - I often feel the small samples don't help - whereas these two full 1000+ polls show a much more positive figure for Labour
the last week hasn't really been one of PBs better ones. The endless kipper sledging was just pointless. I can only assume all 3 parties are now seeing chunks of support drifting off and just don't know how to stop it.
But, I have heard of TSE, and a pretty vivid description of the Romanian Roma in Britain he's given. Also, I've heard some rum things how Romanian Roma children are brought up, hence all the FARA shops I keep seeing.
http://www.itv.com/news/2014-05-19/ukip-newark-candidate-denies-claims-he-assaulted-protester/
Still, only a few days until the next F1 weekend gets started. Speaking of which, Ladbrokes has its markets up.
Hmm. Red Bull only 7 to be top scoring team. I was hoping for double figures.
Diane “White People” Abbott’s Race Row Hypocrisy
http://order-order.com/2014/05/19/diane-white-people-abbotts-race-row-hypocrisy/
Not seen the Wales poll. What did it say?
One of the worst travesties on U tube was the moron who posted Alex Harvey's version with Nazi pictures. (read the real description from one of the band members)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKVvmfasK7E
I like to annoy the old punks by telling them Alex was punk before they were born.
But yes, they were stunning in a dirty sweaty Glasgow pub before they made a "name", and many more years ago than I care to think.
Ernst Röhm's SA?
Provoking, insulting, and threatening them by getting "in their face" is the lowest of the low.
Sun Politics @Sun_Politics
YouGov/Sun poll for GE2015 - Labour lead by four points: CON 33%, LAB 37%, LD 9%, UKIP 11%
When my friends got divorced, I would sympathize with both equally, it would be years before both their recollections started to coalesce.
I wasn't present when they had their confrontation, so as with the divorced couples, I will wait and see.
EXCL: YouGov/Sun poll tonight - Labour lead in euro elections as UKIP slips, + Libs down to 5th. LAB 28%, UKIP 24%, CON 21%, GRN 12%, LD 10%
EXCL: YouGov/Sun poll tonight - General Election vote; LAB 37%, CON 33%, UKIP 11%, LDEM 9%. UKIP at lowest since mid April. Romania effect?
No,2 weeks of non stop smearing would do it dunny.
The UKIP office and Conservative office both seem busy and there is no sign of any aggro at the moment - the stuff being reported in the news tonight actually took place in Retford not Newark so I assume was part of the Euro campaign rather than the By election as Retford is no longer in the constituency. Never trust the media to get anything right :-)
I still contend this is a shoe in for Jenrick as I don't think Newark has the right demographics for UKIP and I again think that is a shame because Jenrick strikes me as a party placeman rather than the independent sort of MP I would like to see in the town.
I have seen no signs yet that would indicate to me we are heading for any sort of upset.
The Lib Dems don't seem to be taking the whole thing seriously at all - they only got their candidate sorted out last week.
If I was going to make a prediction it would be Tory hold with much reduced majority, UKIP then Labour with the Lib Dems very lucky to save their deposit and probably in 5th or 6th.
The Farage strategy of going after Labour votes will never work because the smears are more effective on Labour to UKIP voters than CON to UKIP ones.
The full list of candidates, in alphabetical order by surname, is:
Baggaley, Paul Stephen - Independent
Bishop, David Laurence - Bus-Pass Elvis Party
Brick, Nick The Flying - The Official Monster Raving Loony Party
Hayes, Andy - Independent
Helmer, Roger - UK Independence Party (UKIP)
Jenrick, Robert Edward - The Conservative Party
Kirwan, David Charles - Green Party
Payne, Michael - Labour Party
Rodgers, Dick - Stop Commercial Banks Owning Britain's Money
Watts, David Kenneth - Liberal Democrat
Woods, Lee - Patriotic Socialist Party
Before he only had the Tory establishment against him now he has everyone against him.
I don't know if he can still revert to the old strategy that worked of being an opposition to the government, instead of being an opposition to the opposition.
I read it......then I just had to google it
http://www.politicsforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=102&t=43549
http://www.patriotic-socialist.org.uk/policy
It will be funny after all these attacks on ukip,labour win Euro's easily and tories finish going under 20%,the tactic by the tory press will have backfired with miliband and labour coming out on top.
It's not clear to me that the media/politcal parties can sway public opinion that much. It means UKIP are working against a headwind, but that could be good for them. Shake out the wrinkles before the general election campaign.
I wouldn't worry. After a fortnights crowing by the winner, and the usual excuses by the other parties, Most of the country won't have a clue who the hell won or lost
If UKIP come 3rd next week, then the story will be the bubble has burst (although UKIP will still be able to point to likely record national vote share). If Lab or Con come 3rd then prepare for media meltdown
O/T - I spent the weekend in Dublin where like us they have local as well as Euro elections. There are huge numbers of posters up on every lamp post. As the Irish have open list rather than closed list for the Euros there are multiple posters for each party with different candidates.
The view in the press is that of the current coalition Fine Gael will hold up reasonably well while Labour will take a hammering. One of the austerity measures introduced has been charges for water (this is currently free!) The Socialists have dubbed this in their posters the Water Tax (another poster also had "Cost of living crisis!"). The previous incumbents of Fianna Fail and the Greens are not expected to see any gain although Fianna Fail may hold their current seats. The big winners are expected to be Sinn Fein who are not tainted by government and are I think the most EU sceptic party in Ireland