Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
11 August 2010
00:2264901#21
Thank you for drawing our attention to this Marek. It is interesting to see from the attendance records that Nigel Farage, who has always been a very vocal spokesperson for UKIP, only managed 70.91% and their new boy, Paul Nuttall, scraped in to only 58.18% of the meetings.
What is the point of declaring that they have a point to make if they are not going to be there where it counts?
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
11 August 2010
01:1164904#22
Marek,
Re your post above, the question I actually asked was how have the Labour MEP`s been " fighting for the interests of the British people " not what have they been doing in the EU. I wouldn`t particularly class any of your three examples as being purely for the benefit of this country. I`m not sure either as to whether you can credit ( in point No.2 ) Linda McAvan with anything. Did she actually instigate the campaign in question? ( fair play to her if she did ).
I suppose on the other hand you could say that whilst in the EU, Labour have overseen and gone along with the loss of our sovereignty, security and the erosion of the British culture and countless other detrimental elements.
You then ask " What have UKIP achieved ". Well, in order to answer that you have to appreciate that UKIP`s prime role and objective in the EU is, and to coin Dave`s favourite saying, to " keep banging on about Europe ".
As far as UKIP is concerned and with our limited resources, we look after our own peoples interests not by joining in with the general charade that is the European Parliament, but by bringing to the publics attention as best we can the stupidity, cost and the many negative issues that emit from this bureaucratic talking shop. You know, the sort of things that not one Labour MEP would have the guts to say.
There are many "YouTube" clips showing UKIP MEP`s taking the EU to task and standing up for the UK. Guess how many Labour MEP`s do the same thing?
It`s quite obvious that we`ll never see eye to eye on this particular issue as we view the whole EU situation from a completely different standpoint. You want us in and attempt to make the EU better for us ( won`t happen! ) whereas I want out asap.
One final point, as time is getting late, you mention that " UKIP lost to the BNP in practically every constituency in the general election ". Not true. Where we went head to head with the BNP they achieved more votes in 178 seats compared with UKIP`s 123. There were valid reasons for this which I won`t go into tonight ( this morning! )
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
11 August 2010
05:2164906#23
Chris
My point exactly.
John
Being a socialist I voted against entering the then EEC in the first place but democracy prevailed and I accepted the majority decision.We will never leave the EU so we must now play an active role in the EU to ensure that the UK's interests are best protected.This can only be achieved by attending the EU parliament and making our voice heard and our vote count.
I would be interested to learn how Vic voted in Ted Heaths referendum on joining the EU?
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
11 August 2010
05:2664907#24
Vic
My UKIP thread stands for the 'Ukraine Knowledge Internet Portal' so in no way rivals yours.
Don't believe me click on this site to check it out
http://www.ukip.ca 
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
11 August 2010
07:2264917#25
Marek - you never did vote against joining the 'then EEC' and Heath never did have a referendum to join the mere free trading bloc which was what it was supposed to be.
Wilson had a referendum on whether we should stay in (not join) in which to my shame I campaigned for a Yes vote (and you voted No). I was daft enough to believe it was just a trading bloc.
You made the right vote in that referendum and I the wrong one.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
11 August 2010
07:2564918#26
BarryW
Thanks for correcting my poor addled memory.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
11 August 2010
07:3064921#27
barry is spot on with his analysis, i voted for the trading bloc, was never asked my opinion when it changed from economic community to just community then union.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
11 August 2010
16:1264958#28
That's the trouble Howard, none of us did - we didn't get the opportunity.
Roger
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
12 August 2010
11:2265113#29
Hating the European Union is one thing, hating the cash to be gained from the European Union is another it seems:
Noticed in Islington the other day was Paul Nuttall driving a big Land Rover Discovery, all black with tinted windows.The private number plate displayed was EU06 0UT.Landrover Discoveries start from £34,000
Mr Nuttall displays his politics on his plate.It seems that thousands of people are making a packet out of the EU and they are all evil according to UKIP, unless of course they hate the EU enough to want withdrawal from it, then it's OK.
As a matter of interest Mr Nuttall was a researcher in the European Parliament, for UKIP, before becoming a very well paid MEP. Before that he was a poor PhD student.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
12 August 2010
12:0365117#30
And your point is Marek?
Lets get some facts straight. ALL MEP`s are very well paid, not just UKIP`s.
The difference is that UKIP`s don`t want to be there and will be only too pleased when there are NO MEP`s from this country being given the generous allowances that they ALL get.
Talk about clutching at straws to denigrate a particular party!
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
12 August 2010
13:0365130#31
John
My point is that UKIP MEP's who want the UK out of Europe should not draw salaries from the EU but be sponsored by their own party. If they did that their reputation and honesty would be respected by the voters and could possibly gain them more votes.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
12 August 2010
13:1465133#32
Marek - they were elected so they should receive all the right and priviledges of an MEP including salary. but they must have to earn those rights and priviledges by repesenting those they were elected to serve. Their views on the EU is immaterial, they should still do their job and it is in that they have failed. In respect of their anti-EU views they represent a large proportion of the population that extends well beyond the UKIP fringe and in so doing should be strengthening the position of other anti-EU members in the EU Parliament fighting against the Federal Europe extremists.
It seems that there are no sanctions against elected representatives who draw their salaries and do not do the work. This is not confined to the EU Parliament. The (5, I believe) Sinn Fein members of the Westminster Parliament draw their salaries and do not attend the legislature. Then of course there is Gordon Brown who, since May, has not been seen in the Commons except to swear the oath and has been writing a book, on our time and pay!
All of them UKIP MEPs, Sinn Fein MPs and Gordon Brown are a disgrace and there should be sanctions against them as there would be in any other walk of life.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
12 August 2010
13:1965135#33
cannot disagree with the last post, we can also add many welsh and scottish honourable members that never leave their glen/valleys.
incidentaly was it not gerry adams that was claiming for a london office on his expenses?
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
12 August 2010
13:2065136#34
I believe you are right Howard.
12 August 2010
13:2365137#35
Firstly Marek, unlike Labour and the Cons, UKIP do not have the backing of big business or the Unions. As political parties go we are small fry when it comes to having any financial clout. Basically, after the enormous costs associated with campaigning in the European and General Election we are pretty much skint. And, yes, the UKIP MEP`s do put their hands in their own pockets to donate funds for the party.
They also have to fund staff and office costs in Europe so why shouldn`t they get some of our own money back. I daresay they even have lives and personal expenses back home, mortgages etc. (as we all do! )
At the end of the day, if they didn`t take what they are fully entitled to, the EU would soon find alternative ways to waste that money anyway.
12 August 2010
14:0565141#36
You won`t be surprised to hear that I disagree Barry.
UKIP MEP`s do represent the people that elected them, it`s just that they do it in a different way to that of a "normal" MEP. They don`t need to sit in all the pointless sessions that is the charade of the European Parliament which in the main is created just to give the sheeple back home the impression that "your man/woman in Brussels can represent you". You know only too well that it`s mainly the unelected and unaccountable European Commission that has the exclusive right to produce draft directives and regulations that just appear before the European Parliament for "rubber stamping".
As far as "strengthening the position of other anti-EU members in the EU Parliament" they`ve already done that, by linking up with others of a like mind and joined the " Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group " to form a stronger voice. Not that you`re given much of a chance to object to anything in the EU of course.
Perhaps I`ll start a new thread purely to start picking holes in the Labour and Con parties. God knows there`s enough ammunition there!
12 August 2010
14:2065145#37
In defence of Gordon Brown, he was elected to serve the people in his constituency and represent their interests in HoP. Therefore, hobnobbing in London is only one part of his duty. Provided his constituents believe he is he is doing his bit for them outside Westminster who are we to complain or throw stones?
I suspect Sinn Fein MP's do not sit in Westminster because, even now, their lives would be at risk. Small steps are required to keep the NI show on the road. Similarly, provided their constituents believe they are being represented adequately, that is all that matters surely?
UKIP MEP's are entitled to their income as they also are required to serve their consituents at home as well as in Strasbourg/Brussels or wherever, ergo the same arguments as above apply.
This attendance thing is nitpicking to be sure. It's what the politicos acheive that matters, and all party's representatives could do much better for this nation of ours.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
12 August 2010
15:3265156#38
intresting thread this,it seems to get peoples heckles up.
by the way hi all im back.
12 August 2010
18:3365211#39
Have the coalition got a policy on Europe ?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
12 August 2010
18:3765213#40
no doubt dave will think one up in the next few days spout it out then later he and his ministers will try to minimise the furore.