The most interesting thing about UKIP or any 'nationalist' party in the Uk is the assumption there is a racial element. There always seems to be an undertone when its reported and questions often loaded with intent. In most countries, being a nationalist seems accepted and the norm, why not the UK? Does nationalism equal facism? Does wanting the Uk to be full of UK peolpe, laws for the good of UK peolpe and controls over those who come to work here racist?
Slippery slope, Bradders. Very slippery. I think you are right in the main, but then you have to decide who are "UK people" and that is by no means easy. Then you have to have a real discussion about immigration and the good and bad effects on the economy and society. But it is patently ridiculous that anyone can come from abroad and claim benefits if they haven't contributed to the system, for say 5 years. And why, indeed, should they instantly qualify for free education or healthcare? The main problem with any nationalist party viz UKIP or Le Front National in France is that their policies are entirely negative. They know what they don't like and want to stop, they have no clue about the rest of governing the country. They simplify - "it's all the fault of foreigners/immigrants/the EU/Brussels" etc. They aren't inclusive, they are divisive and that's why I'd never vote for any of them. Look at the anti-minaret vote in Switzerland (yep, sorry, us again) fomented by the UDC nationalist party here. It was a farce. There barely are any minarets in Switzerland, nor were any planned (and those that were would need planning permission). So why have a big hoo-har vote about it? Just to make a point. Just divisive bullshit.
I'm not sure they are all negative, but the sensationalist press make it appear that way. And in my head a UK person is a simple definition; anyone born here. The only thing I would change, and its the only thing the Yanks have right probably, is any immigrant needs to 'swear allegiance' to the UK, its laws and cultural beliefs (nothing religious, a muslim s a muslim, a hindu is a hindu etc) And maybe this is where they struggle, as promotion of multiculturalism seems to be connected with a lack of UK identity. This identity is what Farage and his crew should be chasing; innovation in engineering; a can do, must do attitude; tolerance and politeness and I'm sure there are plenty of other qualities a Brit would lay claim to. Nothing to do with colour, race, creed, religion etc etc
Well that certainly is a simple definition, and it certainly excludes everyone from Boris Johnson, who was born in New York, to Cliff Richard, who was born in India.
I think you should be able to trace your ancestry at least as far back as Ethelred the Unready :wink:
Oh dear, my two sons were born in Hong Kong and wife is from SA, but, they are all very British. I really think the definition needs to be expanded to include people who are accepted into the country and accept the country, it's values, way of life and contribute to our society. There was a great documentry a couple of years ago that analysed the ethnic background of some people including someone senior from BNP who had Asian, Romany, etc. in his make up. Back to the debate; Boris will make a great future PM and will make politics more entertaining!
Same can be said of anyone born often in service hospitals abroad, of course they are british. But that is a demonstration of where do the rules get bent or obscured so common sense can prevail. Alas, it is not always possible to allow common sense to win.
hence the addition of allegiance etc. And we are talking about how best to govern the UK with UK interests at heart, not stopping migration of talent or assisting thise who need it most.
wether or not you agree with ukip or some of the more radical parties like the bnp they are needed to counter balance the veiws expressed on the opposite side of the field
so i'm not a uk person then but i have the family history traced back to 1697 in the uk i think that definition needs some fine tuning to be a workable solution to the immigration question and i had to swear allegiance to that disfunctional family who are not even blood relatives of richard the 3rd
Hmmm. The problem is Immigration isn't the problem, and the super rich and wealthy are quite happy for them to become the scapegoats. Takes the focus off them! IMO Mark
