UK elections - are they irrelevant?

[davieG]

UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage has claimed he "could not care less" who wins the next election as the UK is "governed from Brussels".

Mr Farage, whose party wants to leave the European Union, suggested UK voters could no longer change governments but merely had a "choice of managers".

He told the BBC the Conservatives were "virtually indistinguishable" from Labour and the Lib Dems on many issues.

Recent polls have suggested a rise in UKIP support amid the eurozone crisis.

Conservative MPs pressing for a referendum on EU membership say it is the best way of countering the threat from UKIP at the next election, scheduled for 2015.

'Not self-governing'

But asked whether he was concerned that a rise in UKIP's vote could deprive the Tories of seats and potentially see a less eurosceptic Labour government in power, Mr Farage said he "could not care less".

"We are not governed from Westminster, we are governed from Brussels. It does not make any difference," he told the BBC's Hardtalk programme.

"It no longer matter who sits in No 10. The penny is beginning to drop with the British people and British businesses that we are no longer a self-governing nation. That matters far more than which brand of social democracy gets into No 10."

None of the three largest parties was looking to fundamentally change the UK's relationship with Europe, he said, and the Conservatives had become "another brand of social democracy, virtually indistinguishable from Labour and the Lib Dems on many of the big issues".

"We are not voting to change governments in Britain. We are voting for a change of management."

Rest of the report - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19060650

[ozleicester]

My wife certainly seems to think so.... oh wait, you said eLections

Ill get me coat

[Mark_w]

Can't say I know an awful lot about this, but I'm glad that he and his party are seemingly irrelevant to UK elections.

[Jon the Hat]

He has a point. One of my bosses was at a meeting with European leaders - not the politicians, but those actually in administration of the EU and EC, and they were completely clear and open that their goal is a federal Europe with more and more power cetralised. They are unelected and have no mandate really, but they nonetheless they are orchestrating a power grab.

[Rincewind]

I would say the Lib Dems and Labour have become more like Conservatives. They just have different ways of mucking things up and not caring about Joe Public. I don't know much about the UKIP. Not sure about Europe. I can see the benefits and I think it would be difficult to be independant. The other countries in the EU would deal with each other before they considered our exports and would ask more for the inports.

We do not rule the waves and able to take over little countries for our own. We are just a litle Island that Romans,Vikings, Normans and Danesi nvaded and enable us to progress at a pretty fast rate. I have no idea who to vote for now. It won't be any right wing partyy and I'm dissalusioned with Labour and Lib Dem. It may be an independant of some sort maybe a Labour one.

I'm just a moderate really who likes to see fairness for all. and I see nothing radical or wrong in that.

[Zingari]

Yes , totally irrelevant other than as an elaborate charade to convince us that we are not gradually creeping towards the NWO .

[Happy Fox]

Politicians have had their day imo they aren't needed.

[marty78]

Politicians have had their day imo they aren't needed.

Eh?

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

I believe he is partially correct, as we do suffer a great deal from the sheer stupidity of Brussels,quiet a bit.

The sooner we are out the E.E.C. the better in my view -

[smallpauldj]

He is right! Greece had there chance to get out and why they never took it confuses me. They go bankrupt owe no one anything set up there own currency which all the rest will be stronger than, where will the cheap skate Brits flock to like sheep cause for your pound you get lots more? That's right Greece. Around birstal there is going to be a gypsy camp which our goverment are powerless to stop cause of Europe and there laws which just shouldn't effect us! Ukip are the only party who can fight this as they want out of Europe! The comment above about labour turning into conservatives is bang on! There both so left wing they about fell off the edge to scared to mention the words immigration in fear of a rebellion. The only thing I've noticed is conservative blame labour and labour blame conservative instead of looking at the real problem and blaming themselves!

[Zingari]

I believe he is partially correct, as we do suffer a great deal from the sheer stupidity of Brussels,quiet a bit.

The sooner we are out the E.E.C. the better in my view -

Where have you been for the last 20 years ?, we're in a lot deeper now than the when we were in the EEC

[Free Fox?]

Greetings all,

This is my first post. I was directed here by a fellow City fan. Subject close to my heart shall we say

I read some of the comments. And *Jon the Hat is correct. Actually it is no secret they want a federal Europe. The only obstacle was the people. Lets be clear, this is the project of the political elite. They have sidelined the people of Europe as much as possible. Remember the referendum elections before the signing of the Lisbon treaty? All voted no. So they changed a bit of the wording, and the only country who were allowed to vote again was the only one in which opinion polls said the would vote yes. The rest just signed the treaty, even though it broke the constitutions of so many member states. Including the UK.

*Nightguard posted that the major political parties are become the same. I agree entirely. Can anyone tell me the difference? They would all do the same thing, just do it slightly differently. I don't see any choices available when looking at the main three parties.

*smallpauldj posted about Greece. Honestly, the people of Greece are being sacrificed in order to save a doomed currency. No amount of money will save it in its current form. Greece is being turned into a third world state. Record unemployment. Parents being forced to give up their children to the state, because they cannot afford to feed them. Suicides on a major rise. All so the political elite can keep the euro going. The more money we throw at this thing, the more painful it will become when it all crashes down. All this debt came from the banks (majority). They are bankrupt. And yet the taxpayers have to bail them out. Since when is it allowed that private debt becomes public debt? Its a scandal. And the only party talking about it is UKIP.

You cannot believe what he media throw about regarding ukip. They want you to keep voting in the same lot who won't change a thing. Branded racist because we talk about immigration? Lets be sensible for a minute. We are in a major recession. Wages are on a freeze or in decline. High unemployment.We have an army of unskilled workers here. To get the economy moving again, we have to make the tough decision of freezing it temporarily. Only then can we start to get the huge numbers of unemployed back into work. Supply and demand. The more jobs available, the more pay is offered to the best candidates. The more people earn, the more they spend. If people spend more? That's right, the economy moves again. Having a sensible discussion on the impact of immigration is completely different to that of the BNP agenda.

*Zingari mentioned NWO. My favourite post . You may well be right. I can completely understand the reasoning of that statement. However, I am a simple working man. On a simple income. And I am very angry at the way the people are treated/lied to by the political elite. Now, if I had any money, I could join and donate to one of the bigger parties. The larger the donation, the safer the seat I would be able to stand in, and become elected. Be it either Parliament or council. Only the wealthy get to stand for the main 3 parties. The poor are sidelined. Politics is very much a rich persons club. That really needs to change. With ukip, I get to stand for them. Long shot of being elected, but hey. I enjoy debating with the big boys. I could also stand back and say ukip is part of the NWO order,.But I cannot change anything from the outside. get your foot in the door, then maybe. Just maybe....

UKIP is a libertarian party. Google Libertarian. Get an understanding of the concept. Its basically power to the people. At the moment they have none/very little.

If anybody wants to learn more, feel free to message me. If people want to drag me over the coals, that's fine too. I am used to it . Or keep posting on here.

If you read this far without falling sleep, I thank you.

[ADK]

To those of us who arnt part of the far right, UK elections are relevant.

[Rincewind]

Its late. What is NWC?

Not sure about UKIP. Always had the notion that they were anti-foreigner. That is not me. Also not sure about EU. I can see the good points. It should work as an idea. Free trade and movement of workers between countries. Yes, it should but we are in a world recession so countries will look after themselves and get the most out of it. Our EU MP's seem to be outvoted on many issues or are not strong enough, afraid to upset the applecart so to speak.

I'm just worried that Britain could not do very well on its own. Germany have France Italy Belgum as neighbours. England has Scotland and Wales. We are disadvantaged at the start.

I'm getting too old to worry about it now anyway but I feel for the younger ones who have many years of the same to look forward to.

Good luck to them.

[The Doctor]

He is right! Greece had there chance to get out and why they never took it confuses me. They go bankrupt owe no one anything set up there own currency which all the rest will be stronger than, where will the cheap skate Brits flock to like sheep cause for your pound you get lots more? That's right Greece. Around birstal there is going to be a gypsy camp which our goverment are powerless to stop cause of Europe and there laws which just shouldn't effect us! Ukip are the only party who can fight this as they want out of Europe! The comment above about labour turning into conservatives is bang on! There both so left wing they about fell off the edge to scared to mention the words immigration in fear of a rebellion. The only thing I've noticed is conservative blame labour and labour blame conservative instead of looking at the real problem and blaming themselves!

I might as well have this on shortcut keys:

If the Tories are left-wing, then I'm far further left than Lenin.

[Free Fox?]

@ADK, yes uk elections are relevant. Especially for those who vote on local issues. Where real disputes arise between parties. Though Mr Farage said it doesn't matter who wins the next general election. And it really doesn't. For all of Labours noise about the cuts, the Tories are near enough following the plan laid out by Allister Darling (Labour) when he was chancellor. I honestly believe nothing of any real substance would change no matter who out the big three wins the next election.

@Nightguard, NWO is a theory of many different people, with different twists on what the agenda is. And what is part of it or not. Stands for New World Order. It refers to a very small, super rich, very powerful group of people who are changing the world from behind the scenes. Heading towards globalisation, with control of the people in the process. You will need to read up on it, and form your own opinions combining your beliefs. Just be open minded.

Is ukip anti-forreigner? Depends on your view point. We want to freeze immigration so the country can recover a little. Some would say we are. But if you look at what we sah in the EU parliament, especially in regards to Greece, we continually talk about the people of Europe. And how damaging some EU legislation is for them. We also want to re-establish commonwealth links. People from all over the world. We wouldn't be alone if we left the EU. Far from it. We would get to take back our seat on the World Trade Organisation. And have free trade with the whole world. Not just this European isolationist trading block. And as for our MEPs being outvoted. They are to a point. Though I hope you understand that the elected parliament have very limited powers. It is the behind closed doors appointed EU commision that has all the legeslation powers.

@LargeAl, traditionally you are right. Tories are not and have never been left wing. They now govern from the centre, just like Labour. The only differenfe I heard when I listened to the leaders debate in the last General Elecetion was about trident. The Lib Dems want it scrapping. Which I personally agree with. Everything else they agree with. They would just play around the edges.

[MooseBreath]

Trying to get votes by posting on forums, bit desperate Mr ukip member

[Free Fox?]

...yes I think your right. I am a bit desperate. Though there are no elections in Leicester for a number of years. Alot will happen between now and then. So not trying for votes at all. Just trying to cut through the lies told about us from the political elite. And a bit of discussion on the EU. Something really lacking within our current parliament and media. Hope I havn't offended/upset anyone.

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

Where have you been for the last 20 years ?, we're in a lot deeper now than the when we were in the EEC

Dropped a clanger there, and can't believe it. E U of course!

[BoneDog]

I don't know much about UKIP or Farage, but I've seen a few clips of Farage standing up and speaking in the European Parliament and the guy was awesome. He ripped a few of the men and women in that room a new a-hole!

I felt a bit of national pride watching him and was egging him on. Does he do those kind of speeches regularly?

[Zingari]

...yes I think your right. I am a bit desperate. Though there are no elections in Leicester for a number of years. Alot will happen between now and then. So not trying for votes at all. Just trying to cut through the lies told about us from the political elite. And a bit of discussion on the EU. Something really lacking within our current parliament and media. Hope I havn't offended/upset anyone.

That's the whole point of FT , it's rubbish on here if people don't do that

welcome !

[Guest MattP]

I don't know much about UKIP or Farage, but I've seen a few clips of Farage standing up and speaking in the European Parliament and the guy was awesome. He ripped a few of the men and women in that room a new a-hole!

I felt a bit of national pride watching him and was egging him on. Does he do those kind of speeches regularly?

He's a fantastic speaker in Brussels, loads of his stuff on youtube.

Him and Hannan are great in this...

[BoneDog]

Oh dear, Brown's sitting there laughing as Farage is talking about the gold sale, the pensions and the FSA.

That gold sell off was ridiculous and I'm sure that it was done purposefully to weaken Britain. I'd like to know who was behind all that business.

On a seperate note I heard something about the British Army a couple of months back when they got rid of all those long serving servicemen just before their pensions were due. I heard that some group is trying to create a European army and that they want all British soldiers overseas around Europe, and that Britain will have other European countries soldiers on our shores in the future.

I can't remember where I heard it and I may have misunderstood the report but does anybody know anything about this possible future European army, or is it baloney?

[The Doctor]

Oh dear, Brown's sitting there laughing as Farage is talking about the gold sale, the pensions and the FSA.

That gold sell off was ridiculous and I'm sure that it was done purposefully to weaken Britain. I'd like to know who was behind all that business.

On a seperate note I heard something about the British Army a couple of months back when they got rid of all those long serving servicemen just before their pensions were due. I heard that some group is trying to create a European army and that they want all British soldiers overseas around Europe, and that Britain will have other European countries soldiers on our shores in the future.

I can't remember where I heard it and I may have misunderstood the report but does anybody know anything about this possible future European army, or is it baloney?

Or maybe because at the time, Gold prices were expected to go down faster than Drogba on a ski-slope. I'm not keen on Brown by any means, but the whole gold thing is pathetic from the nay-sayers - it was widely regarded as a clever move at the time.

[Free Fox?]

@zingari....thank you for the welcome. I didn't realise how hotly some things get debated on here. I look forward to replying on more threads

@El Empty....there have been talks on an European army. Nothing legislated for yet, though once political union draws tighter, and the need for national parliaments becomes less, watch out for the European army. It will happen. Amongst alot of other things nobody in Europe will have voted for.

And Large Al....really? You must have been one of the many that believed the line "I have abolished boom and bust". Gordon Brown the saviour? More like Gordon Brown the clown. How could one man have stopped a natural cycle that has been in place in market forces since the dawn of time? It was widely regarded as a good move by those that believed a bust wasn't coming. But those who have a firmer grip on economics knew very well a bust was on the horizon. And when that happens, people need something to put their money in. Gold always does very well when markets crash.