A suprising offer
Received this curious email this evening:
Dear Councillor,
There does not seem to be very much difference between our three main parties these days. This is hardly surprising as 75% of our laws are now made by the EU with little or no input from Westminster. As you must realise local government is in a poor state too with a new unelected layer of Regional Assemblies and voter disenchantment. In UKIP we believe that it is essential for the UK to become self-governing again and for voters to want to participate. We are developing as a broadly based real party of opposition, the only one saying what most people think. (See www.UKIP.org for a full range of policies) With the local elections in May we intend to build up on local government representation and would welcome a conversation with anyone that might consider working with us or joining us. It is time to stand up and be counted. We give you an absolute assurance that you can contact us on a completely confidential basis.
Yours sincerely,
N. Farage
Leader of UKIP
This communication is being organized by the assistant to Jeffrey Titford UKIP MEP (email deleted)
As invited, I visited http://www.ukip.org/ to view a full range of their policies. I started with the education policy document:
We will abolish compulsory Sex and Relationship education, compulsory Citizenship and Personal, Social and Health education immediately. (p12)
The UK Independence Party favours the introduction of a “voucher” scheme, whereby educational funds equivalent to the average cost of state schooling follow the child to the school of the family’s choice - including private schools, where if necessary the fees would be topped up by the parents (p.13)
We believe that grammar schools have a vital role to play in the education of academically more able children, and not only are we committed to the survival of existing grammar schools, but we will encourage the creation of new grammar and other specialist schools, aiming to restore a network of publicly-funded grammar schools across the country. (p13)
I didn’t think it was worth my while reading any more policy documents after this one - not quite my cup of tea.
Wow. their education plans sound worryingley like Alan Milburns. I think though, all in all, he is to the right of them.
I also received the same email - glad I’m not the only one !!
Me too. Absolutely bizarre!
Richard huzzey got one too - WHY HAVEN’T I HAD ONE?
Am I truly too nuts even for UKIP?
Yours worried,
Matt
Emailing you minor parties is just to much trouble to bother with, Matt
UKIP and Councillors…
As Iain Dale has pointed out (and been snarled at by the DK for his troubles…Fight, Fight, Fight!) UKIP has been emailing councillors across the land to see who would like to join them, rather than whichever of the Statist…
Some outfit called the New Party has been sending similar things by post to all independent councillors. They seem to be an offshoot of the Scottish Tories with little knowledge of history…
Paul - I so hope that’s true! It’s hilarious.
Chris - it is. They even have a website http://www.newparty.co.uk/ (and that it is newparty.CO.uk says a lot about their ideology). All independents got a copy of their manifesto and a survey to send back if you were interested, then a second letter to remind you (if you didn’t return the survey). I didn’t forget to return it, I’m just a) not Conservative, b) not anti-EU and c) not obsessed with immigration and asylum (except to the extent I’d never vote for any party trying to squirm out of our committments to the latter). I pity the fools…
These people are idiots. Apparently some of their members left to join Veritas, which probably says all anyone needs to know about them.
Yeah, it was an easy blog entry for Antonia, good knockabout fun and all that.
The document was nonsensical for amongst other reasons, claiming that sex education is compulsory. It isn’t. Parents can withdraw their children from sex education, a right I’m sure Antonia will affirm.
UKIP are the BNP with blazers
Thoroughly nasty party - but surely in a prime position to benefit from disgruntled Tory right-wingers?
UKIP are the only party with the guts and policies to stand up for what was once a proud country,( Great Britain ) in case you have forgotten. You will see a mighty resurgence of this party after the local election results,then watch out. We have had enough of your self seeking and smug ride on the gravy train at our expense. We have now got the leader to wipe the floor with you.