Farage calls on Irish to vote No

UKIP Leader Nigel Farage has called on the Irish to vote No in their referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, warning Ireland will lose its independence to a European super-state, says the Irish Times.

Speaking on radio, British MEP and UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: "The Irish said No, they are being forced to vote again. What this is all about is power. They are desperate to get this treaty through because this treaty turns the European Union into a state in its own right with the powers in future to do whatever it likes.

Bercow encourages UKIP vote

The Daily Telegraph's leading political commentator has said House of Commons Speaker John Bercow's decision to appoint a pr adviser will encourage the voters of his Buckingham constituency to vote UKIP.

Benedict Brogan said the decision to appoint the pr handler on a salary of £107,000 gave UKIP Leader and prospective candidate for the seat Nigel Farage "something to bang on about in Buckingham."

Farage to quit as UKIP leader

Nigel Farage has announced today that he is to stand down as leader of the UK Independence Party.

Having lead the party for three years, Mr Farage, MEP for the South East region, has told party members at the UKIP annual conference in Southport that the job of leading the party in Europe as well as the domestic party is too big a job for one person.

Instead, Mr Farage will now focus on his general election campaign, where he will stand in House of Commons Speaker John Bercow's Buckingham seat and on his role as leader of the Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group in the European Parliament.

The contest for a new leader, who will be expected to run the party nationally, formulate policies and orchestrate the general election campaign, should get underway next week.

Nigel to stand against Speaker Bercow

UKIP Leader Nigel Farage is to challenge House of Commons Speaker John Bercow for his Buckingham seat at the General Election.

Mr Farage will formally announce his intention at the UKIP annual conference on Friday.

The Daily Telegraph has broken the story of the challenge to Bercow with Mr Farage saying: "This man represents all that is wrong with British politics today."

Call to sack FSA chief now

Lord Turner, chairman of the Financial Services Authority should be sacked on the spot for floating the idea of a tax on City of London transactions, says UKIP Leader Nigel Farage.

Mr Farage, who spent 20 years as a City commodities trader said: "Lord Turner must go.

"As head of the City's regulating body, he has just suggested a move that would guarantee the collapse of our country's most vital services industry.

"What is he on?

"If the Tobin tax, a tax on every speculative transaction, was the answer to our economic problems then it would have taken hold when first mooted 30 years ago.

"The fact that it didn't proves it's another purely academic fantasy that has no place in the real world.

"The chancellor, Alistair Darling, should bite the bullet and admit that Lord Turner's appointment as head of the FSA was a mistake and that his position is no longer tenable.

"For the good of the City and of Britain's biggest industry, Lord Turner must go."

Lightbulb snoops 'like East Germany'

Lightbulb snoops 'like East Germany'

Asking people to snoop on shopkeepers who sell traditional lightbulbs banned by the EU has been likened to the practices of East Germany in the 1980s by UKIP Leader Nigel Farage.

"Under this Government we begin to resemble East Germany in the 1980s where we snoop and report on local businesses," he said. "No doubt the next move will be to snoop on your parents if they continue to use old fashioned light bulbs."

New immigration rules are wrong

The proposals on new immigration rules being made by the Migration Advisory Committee are partial, partisan, wrongheaded and almost racist, claim UKIP."Trumpeting a possible cut of 5,000 skilled non EU workers is an insult to our intelligence," said Nigel Farage, the party's leader.

"When we suggested that we introduce a points-based visa scheme a few years ago we were denounced as racist", he said.

"Now the government have introduced the system they have of course got it wrong.

"Discriminating against non-EU skilled migrants is crazy. This includes Australia, New Zealand, India – where does the NHS think it is going to get it doctors from? – and America among others. Instead we must accept those from across the continent of Europe.

"If the Government was serious about dealing with the immigration issue facing this country we would not be cracking down on skilled workers who largely come from our cultural and real allies, both in the old dominions and across the world, but on the hundreds of thousands of unskilled immigrants from EU countries as well.

"It is no surprise that one of the results of these plans would be to cut down on highly-skilled coloured immigration. High skill jobs create jobs, whereas low and non-skilled migrants are the problem which due to our abdication over immigration policy to the European Union we are unable to deal with."

The MAC Report can be found here.

New immigration policy

The proposals on new immigration rules being made by the Migration Advisory Committee are partial, partisan, wrongheaded and almost racist" claim UKIP.

"Trumpeting a possible cut of 5,000 skilled non EU workers is an insult to our intelligence," said Nigel Farage, the party's leader today.

"When we suggested that we introduce a points based VISA scheme a few years ago we were denounced as racist", he went on, "but now the government have introduced the system they have of course got it wrong.

"Discriminating against non EU skilled migrants is crazy. This includes Australia, New Zealand, India, (and where does the NHS think it is going to get it doctors from?) and America amongst others. Instead we must accept those from across the Continent of Europe."

If the Government were serious about dealing with the immigration issue facing this country we would not be cracking down on skilled workers who largely come from our cultural and real allies, both in the old dominions and across the world, but on the hundreds of thousands of unskilled immigrants from EU countries as well.

It is no surprise that one of the results of these plans would be to cut down on highly skilled coloured immigration. High skill jobs create jobs, whereas low and non skilled migrants are the problem".

A problem, which due to our abdication over immigration policy to the European Union we are unable to deal with."

Lord Patten lets EU cat out of bag

Tory heavyweight Chris Patten has let the cat out of the bag and admitted he'll be pushing for the post of Europe's first Foreign Minister.

Lord Patten's denial in the Financial Times that he was campaigning for the job rings hollow as he confesses to considering how he would combine his current role as Oxford University chancellor with a new job forging and promoting a common European foreign policy.

UKIP Leader Nigel Farage said the Conservative peer's eagerness to play a big European role was at odds Tory Party statements over Europe.

"Considering that Dave says he opposes the EU's Lisbon Treaty, then having one of your big players throwing his name in the ring for a plum job flies in the face of any anti-EU posturing," Mr Farage said.

"It raise suspicions that the Tories are not being straight with their supporters or British voters in general over their true intentions regarding the UK role in the EU.

"Lord Patten's comments offer a clearer insight into the thinking of the Tories over Europe. Only the UK Independence Party is committed to total withdrawal from the EU political union and that is what British voters want to hear.

"If Dave is trying to suggest that his party also believes this is the best for Europe, why not stop dilly-dallying and just come out and say so?"

Support grows for Nigel TV debate

The question continues to be asked "Will they or won't they" as David Cameron and Gordon Brown circle one another over a proposed television debate.

But like many of the great mismatches of our time, the real contender is so far sitting this one out.

However, that contender – UKIP Leader Nigel Farage – is starting to gather a groundswell of support for his involvement in a televised debate on the issue none of the major parties are addressing – UK withdrawal from the European political union.

As one party insider has put it: "It's obvious they would avoid any public discussion with Nigel on Europe like they would a case of swine flu.

"Nigel already has the points against Gordon Brown after his EU Parliament demolition job earlier this year. While Dave knows any cursory questioning of the Tory policy on the EU would expose the half promises and lack of commitment on a European referendum that the British public want.

"UKIP has earned its right to fair access and representation in the nation's media, after all the party was the second choice overall in the European elections.

"And though it would be fabulous television entertainment to see Nigel in the same ring as these two supposed heavyweights, the serious side is that at least one of our leading politicians needs to have the bottle to talk about the topics the others just wish would disappear – the cost of the EU, unlimited immigration and the fact that 75% of British laws are actually made in Brussels.

"Let's see if we can make this televised debate between Brown, Cameron and Farage the main event leading up to a general election."

Renewed call to scrap arrest warrant

The miscarriage of justice suffered by 20-year-old Andrew Symeou, from London, has led the UK Independence Party to reapeat its call to scrap European Arrest Warrants.

UKIP Leader Nigel Farage said: "That Andrew Symeou is confined to a tiny, flea-ridden cell with five other prisoners in a Greek prison is a disgrace.

"The interview with his father Frank, in the Sunday Times, made for harrowing reading . His situation is not only horrendous, it was completely avoidable.

"And although there are serious questions about the quality of police evidence against Andrew, the blame for his predicament rests fully on the shoulders of Gordon Brown and his Government who meekly adopted the EU arrest warrant system, or as I like to call it, 'Extradition for Dummies'.

"In a bid to play 'Good Europeans', the Labour Government has signed up to a fast-track extradition system that puts the EU interests first and the rights of all citizens a distant second.

"Under this system, the police of any EU member country simply take whatever flimsy case they have to a local court, ask the magistrate to sign his approval and a warrant for arrest of the individual is issued, despite the fact that he or she may be the national of another country.

"Without any rigorous checking of the facts in the case, and with pressure on police to put someone in the frame for a serious offence, we end up with innocent men like Andrew Symeou summarily extradited and held indeterminately until the Greek court system gets round to dealing with him.

"It is not only a gross miscarriage of justice, it is a gross infringement on his rights as a British citizen. We need to abandon this ridiculous European Arrest Warrant system immediately and UKIP will continue to push the UK government to do so."

Symeou was extradited from the UK to Greece last week to face a murder charge following the death of a 18-year-old Jonathan Hiles in a Zante nightclub in 2007.

ID card flag ban is 'ridiculous'

The Government's decision to remove the Union Jack flag from the proposed identity cards has been branded as ludicrous by UKIP Leader Nigel Farage.

"We are utterly opposed to the whole idea of identity cards and Big Brother government anyway but this latest twist is utterly nonsensical," Mr Farage said.

"It's typical of the knee-jerk political correctness that governs thought in the Labour government. The loud minority have every wish granted while the silent majority suffer the consequences.

"Why remove the flag when it was already on drafts of the identity cards. If the Government insists we have them, then at least it should be easily identifiable to border control where the holder is from.

"The Government says it's axed the flag to avoid upsetting groups who may not identify with the UK symbol. This is simply ridiculous. Surely if someone is actually asking for a national identity card showing they are a British citizen, then surely they identify to some degree with the Union Jack?

"This move comes from the same thinking that bans the St George flag on public buildings, prohibition of Christmas nativity scenes and other barmy rules that undermine our culture and our sense of nationhood."

BBC close to breaking law over UKIP

The BBC's lack of coverage for UKIP at the Noriwch North by-election verged on breaking electoral law for broadcasters, says a respected political commentator.

Under the headline 'UKIP ridiculed for going against the BBC's authorised vision of Europe' the East Anglian Daily Times respected political editor Graham Dines wrote:

UKIP'S coverage at the hands of the BBC came close to breaching election law for broadcasters in the run-up to last week's Norwich North by-election. In effect, the BBC decided to airbrush out of the equation the political party that had done so well in the European Union elections that voters in Norwich were giving serious consideration to their manifesto.

Last week, BBC East organised a debate between the "leading candidates" in the by-election - Labour, Tory, Liberal Democrat, and the Greens.(Watch the debate here). I understand that UKIP was so furious that there was a real possibility of an injunction being sought. In the end, the debate went ahead without UKIP, who were mollified by having a filmed insert into the programme.

Just why the BBC decided that the Greens were more meritworthy than UKIP is not difficult to discern. It's all down to the unpalatable policy of quitting the EU.UKIP goes against the authorised version of Britain's relationship with Europe and therefore should be ridiculed - but there again, the Greens are not hysterically pro-Europe and have serious doubts about the creeping EU superstate.

No, the BBC cannot bear the thought there there are perhaps millions of Brits who want nothing more to do with Europe. If the UKIP vision of withdrawal from the EU ever became a reality, the BBC would have to do what it doesn't like doing and stand up for Britain.

The BBC's editorial line should be one of neutrality. It has no mandate to be partisan. But it so likes the Orwellian nightmare - two legs good, four legs better - that it is prepared to risk its reputation for objective reporting.

UKIP had the last laugh, finishing fourth in the by-election with 11.8% of the vote and only 800 behind the Liberal Democrats. Even so, unless there is electoral reform in Westminster elections, UKIP will be hard pressed to get any MPs under first-past-the-post.

As a political party, UKIP is not fashionable. My own personal opinion of the party and Europe is irrelevant - until the UK holds a referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon (which for my sins I have read, as well as the European Constitution, and while there are some differences, the two are fundamentally the same document), then UKIP is there to be counted and not ignored by the Guardianista left.

Poll shows UKIP support on immigration

Today's poll conducted by YouGov on behalf of the think tank Migration Watch confirms that the people of Britain agree with UKIP on the thorny issue of mass immigration.

The poll reveals that 81% of people are worried (45% of which are ‘very worried’) about the prospect of a UK population of 70 million in 2028 – a likely scenario according to Home Secretary Alan Johnson.

A further 76% of those polled want to see net immigration cut from its present level of 237,000 a year to 50,000 or less a year.

UKIP Leader Nigel Farage welcomed the poll saying: “UKIP believes that the people should be listened to on this issue while it is apparent that the other parties do not dare to.

"The poll shows us that even supporters of the other parties share our views.

"It shows that 90% of Conservative voters are worried about a population of 70 million. That 70% of Labour voters are worried and even 76% of Lib Dems felt the same way.

“This shows yet again that UKIP are on the centre ground of public opinion on immigration, just as we are on our relationship with the European Union. Of course for the Lib/Lab/Con coalition that governs us it is impossible to listen to the people, because they are powerless to change things while we retain our membership of the EU.”

Henry's death marks end of era

Sunday, 19th July 2009

The death of WWI Henry Allingham at the age of 113 is the true end of an era, says UKIP Leader Nigel Farage.

Officially the world's oldest man at the time of his death, Henry was a veteran of the Battle of Jutland and the last of the founders of the RAF,

"Henry was a truly wonderful character," Mr Farage said.

"With his passing we really have come to the end of an era. Through my abiding interest in military history, I had the good fortune to meet him on a number of occasions and was always struck by his vitality and sense of humour.

"My thoughts go now to all his family."

Henry jokingly put his longevity down to "cigarettes, whiskey and wild, wild women".

BoJo on the money with City backing

UKIP leader Nigel Farage today strongly backed Boris Johnson's call to defend the City from harmful EU regulation.

“Boris is bang on the money about this”, said Farage, “It's just a pity that his Tory colleagues have failed to support him.

Farage was talking about legislation passed in the European Parliament last year that called for the European Union to create the regulation now being opposed by Mr Johnson, the London Mayor.

In September the Conservative MEPs were whipped to support legislation written by the socialist former Prime Minister of Denmark, Poul Nyup Rasmussen which provided the base for these draconian laws. The Hedge Funds and Private Equity Report passed by a massive majority in Strasbourg was designed to punish the City rather than to improve its actions.

Talking to Mr Farage about it, its author Rasmussen infamously said, “We don't like your Anglo-Saxon capitalism”.

“Most continental politicians accept that the business driven out of the city by this legislation will not move to Frankfurt or Paris but will leave the European Union altogether for Geneva or the Bahamas, but that doesn't matter. What matters is damaging British interests. It is a simple beggar thy neighbour approach”, said Farage.

“It is sad, but Oh so normal that the Tories in Europe fall into line with Continental aspirations, even when they are in direct contradiction of British interests. So while we back Boris to the hilt we suggest that he should e apportioning lame where it lies, Not so much in Brussels but at the door of his Conservative friends and Dave himself."

UKIP boost for new EU group

UKIP has teamed up with other Eurosceptics to form a new 30-strong group in the European Parliament.

The group, called Europe of Freedom and Democracy, is headed by UKIP Leader Nigel Farage.

Incorporating nine MEPs from Italy's anti-immigration Northern League, the new alliance replaces the Independence and Democracy group.

UKIP's 13 MEPs form the biggest component of Europe of Freedom and Democracy but ther other members of the new group come from the old Independence and Democracy bloc, apart from a newly-elected Finn.

The Northern League formerly sat in the conservative UEN bloc, which no longer exists.
With 30 MEPs from eight countries the group surpasses the new parliamentary minimum of 25 MEPs from seven countries needed to qualify as a formal group.

UKIP spokesman Gawain Towler said UKIP was the only group member calling for withdrawal from the EU, "but they are all sympathetic to UKIP's position".

He said that Europe of Freedom and Democracy would provide "real opposition" to European federalism.

"The British Conservatives' new group, European Conservatives and Reformists, which espouses an anti-federalist agenda, is in fact part of one giant coalition, all going in the same direction," Mr Towler said.

The new UKIP-led group's members are from Italy (nine), Denmark (two), Greece (two), Finland (one), France (one), the Netherlands (one) and Slovakia (one).

UKIP won 17.4% of the British vote and increased its number of MEPs to 13 in the June election - beating Labour into third place. UKIP had 12 seats in the former parliament.

There will be a comprehensive page devoted to the new group as soon as possible.

Farage blast for Government on ID cards

Tuesday, 30th June 2009

UKIP has welcomed the Government backdown on plans to introduce compulsory ID cards for airline pilots and ground crew from the autumn.

UKIP Leader Nigel Farage said: "We welcome this move. ID cards are something UKIP has been campaigning against for many years.

"However the British Government has only done this because of the implacable opposition of
the airline pilots' union, BALPA who have threatened strike action.

"Looking at the ID card question as a whole they are in a shambles. Non-EU nationals
will still have to carry them, which they will have to pay for along with the cost of the visa causing significant damage to our vital tourism industry.

"It appears that this government is so far from joined-up thinking that I would be surprised if any of them could tie their own shoelaces.

Mr Farage said the Home Secretary had not gone far enough.

"He is still talking about voluntary ID cards for the British public. And there is no mention of getting rid of the National ID database which is the real threat to civil liberties.

"Anyhow, make no mistake. If the Lisbon Treaty is ever in force the day will come when as citizens of a country called Europe we will all be forced to carry an ID card."

UKIP Leader heads to Norwich North

The UK Independence Party continues to raise the profile of its campaign for the Norwich North by-election with Party Leader, Nigel Farage MEP joining volunteers for a canvassing day on Sunday, June 28.

He will also be in the constituency on Monday, June 29, carrying out a variety of commitments including the unveiling of the Party's 'clean start for Norwich North' campaign posters.

While he is in Norwich, Mr Farage will publicly call for Gordon Brown to set a date for the by-election, in the interests of the constituents of Norwich North, who have had no representation at Westminster since June 8.

Glenn Tingle, UKIP's prospective Parliamentary candidate for Norwich North said: "I am honoured that Nigel will be with me in the constituency. His personal commitment to Norwich North is a huge step forward for my 'clean start' campaign and amply demonstrates the importance with which the Party is treating this by-election.

"I am greatly looking forward to working alongside him."

British influence in Europe is a charade

It has taken an Independent Labour Peer in the Lords to explode the myth of British influence in the European Union.

Lord Stoddard of Swindon:

My Lords, first, the noble Baroness the Leader of the House, in her reply to the noble Lord, Lord Pearson, pointed out that 80 per cent of decisions were made by co-decision with the European Parliament. I would point out that even if the British Members voted as a group, they could always be outvoted by over seven to one. Decisions that might be inimical to this country's best interests could be passed, irrespective of the views of the British Government or the British people.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon:

My Lords, I understand the noble Lord's point about co-decision and the fact that the will of the British Government and, perhaps, British Members of the European Parliament will not necessarily be in the majority in any co-decision procedure, but that is what the European Union is all about. I do not deny that.

"There we have it, as plain as day" said Nigel Farage, UKIP leader. "The Government now tells us that the whole point of, what the European Union is all about, is that British MEPs, the British Government, should have their will over ridden. It's deliberately designed so that we must do as others tell us, not what we would like or wish to have as our own laws.

" It's taken an Independent Labour Peer to force the admission for the first time: that British so called influence in Europe is a charade. They can over rule us any time they like and so they actually rule us. Time to leave this shoddy construction designed purely to prevent us exercising our own democratic rights."