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Questions your Euro MP candidates don't want you to ask
As the parties canvass for your vote ahead of the European elections on June 4, here are the questions that expose the contradictions of their policies
British voters go to the polls on June 4 to choose who will represent them in the European Parliament. Canvassers will be on your doorstep soliciting your vote. How to respond? Here are some questions which show up the contradictions - and sometimes the absurdities - in each of the parties' policies.
Questions for Labour
1. Why did your party break its promise, made it in its 2005 manifesto, to hold a referendum on the new EU Constitution?
2. Why does your party support the UK's opt-out from the EU's Working Time directive, even though a majority of Labour MEPs oppose this opt-out?
3. Why, after the unhappy experience of railway privatisation in Britain, has the British Government pushed for other European countries to 'liberalise' their excellent domestic rail services ?
Questions for Conservatives1. Why, when your leader is calling for a work-life balance, does your party campaign for Britain's continued opt-out of the EU's Working Time directive, which would restrict the working week to a maximum of 48 hours?
2. Why does your party support a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, but not one on Britain's continued membership of the EU?
3. Does your party agree with views expressed by leading Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan on Fox TV in America, that the NHS was a 60-year "mistake" which has made British people "iller"?
Questions for Liberal Democrats1. If your party is so committed to 'Europe acting together', why is it against the formation of a European Army to replace the US-led Nato?
2. Can you explain how your party would reduce unemployment when it is committed to a 'liberal and open system' of global free trade and supports the elimination of subsidies?
3. Why, if your party says it doesn't want to compromise 'Britain's traditional legal system and civil liberties', does it support the European Arrest Warrant, under which a British citizen can be deported for something which is not considered a crime in this country?
Questions for UKIP
1. Why does your party say 'No to the EU', but 'Yes' to the EU's generous MEP salaries and expenses?
2. You claim that your opposition to the EU is due to a desire to protect Britain's national sovereignty. But why do you support British membership of other bodies such as the World Trade Organisation and Nato which also impinge sovereignty?
3. Why does your party refuse to publish details of its MEPs' expenses?
Questions for the Green Party 1. Where would the money for your proposed £45bn 'Green New Deal' come from?
2. How do the introduction of Eco Taxes, which hit the poor disproportionately harder than the rich, square with your commitment to greater equality and social justice?
3. Why does your party not address in its manifesto what Sir David Attenborough has described as "the frightening explosion in human numbers" and the effect that population growth has on the environment?
Questions for the BNP 1. How can you claim not to be a racist party, when membership of your party is restricted to 'indigenous British ethnic groups deriving from the class of "Indigenous Caucasian"'?
2. Your party's website states that "anyone not born here who commits a crime here should be deported". Would that apply to the likes of Sir Cliff Richard (born in India), Joanna Lumley (India), and Peter Hitchens (Malta)?
3. Why does your party's website put the word British in inverted commas when describing the black UKIP candidate Rustie Lee, a British citizen who has lived in the country since childhood? ·
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Comments
Pay back time.
To the BNP, your forefathers went to all corners of the world raping and pillaging. For us foreigners, it's payback time.
So shout your racist nonsence as loud as you want, in the meantime, i'll be going to the pub to drink a nice pint of English bitter while deciding on which white women i will be taking home tonight.I will get up in the morning and lazily walk to the corner shop to buy a pack of ciggies from my weekly dole money that i get for doing ABSOLUTELY nothing.
So Barry Brit, thank you sooo much for making England what it is, this is heaven on earth. Nice white women,free dole money,nice council house and the law on our side.
Cheerio old chap,
The media are using all the propaganda they can to alienate the BRITISH NATIONAL PARTY. If I was an Englishman/woman, I would be fighting for my national identity, stolen by the dictatorship in the Hague. All my relatives have joined the BNP in London, because the British Islands heritage is being compromised by legal and illegal immigration. The British Office of National Statistics, immigrants send home about 4 billion a year in remittances back to their home countries. When this is added to the previously estimated cost of immigration to Britain of 8.8 billion, the grand total of 12.8 billion is reached. Viva BMP!
Rubbish.
Certainly:-
Black Policeman's Association
Positive Discrimination (to favour black people)
Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) (to favour black people)
Black Lawyers Association
& on & on & on
The list is endless, please feel free to add. I, as a white Anglo-Saxon cannot join nor avail myself of any such organizations. Under any definition of discrimination it is practised here! With the racial element apparent it is race based! Ergo: - Racial Discrimination, also called racism. Justification enough?
It was Manny Goldstein, speaking on behalf of the BNP (see first post in this thread - 'answers from the bnp') who raised the racism issue. If you're going to raise it at least defend it (if only you could).
fruitbat - I do not have to defend the selection process of the BNP. I believe in democracy and free speech, so I choose to defend their right to say whatever they want. Those who disagree are perfectly entitled to their opinions and to give voice to them, what I do not agree with is the constant smearing, contempt and outright lies that I read about the BNP.
Maurice Brady, this is your opportunity to justify yourself and your party. Kindly defend how racism can be acceptable.
Don't be shy......
If you sir/madam (Anti-Pawn) are an example of intellectual opposition to the BNP, we have little to fear. Your gratuitous comments of 1st June 'People as ignorant' followed by 'wasting time on BNP' on the same day are nothing short of personal abuse. I notice your political affiliations are never mentioned, what are you hiding? Being evasive will bring its own conclusions! The paucity of your political stance is indicated in your disjointed rambling i.e. Racism exists --- communities are not you ask for logic & rational but offer little yourself. Such self-deception indicates the old axiom There are none so blind as those that will not see. How you can extrapolate these putative BNP expulsions (another of your brain-storms) would result in equal & opposite action in other countries, is to say the least, extraordinary! This is nothing short of rambling, you must get a grip! If you are still of the opinion that your questions remain unanswered one can only conclude you are vehemently opposed to the BNP, will not state your political position & imagine your bluster is legitimate comment! As for the term 'racism' this seems to be the last throw of the dice for the 'PC brigade'. When all else fails accuse them of racism.
Racism exists in Britain and is not the preserve of the BNP - that is certainly true. There are certainly individual racists who are Christians, Jews, Islamists (add any religion you choose). However, that does not make those religious 'communities' racist in any sense. Why should they be guilty by association? I am unaware that any of those religions have fundamental racist doctrines at their core. Get to the point and defend how racism can be acceptable. I defy you to do it with logic and rationale.
Relax. Nobody is going to come knocking. Why should they? MEPs' noses will remain firmly in the trough because they are chosen by their parties, not you the voter. Nobody knows who their MEP is and, even if they do, the MEPs are very rarely in the chambers. Even if they are there, they only get some 3 minutes to put their case. Nobody is listening anyway. And, of course, the debate is never reported in the papers or on the TV, because it is nodded into law by our venal London politicians without any discussion.
Hence the fact that turn out tomorrow is going to be minimal.
Maurice you really should read the posts properly. For one who espouses the benefit of political debate it appears you are incapable of the same. It seems you belittle the questions merely because you cannot answer them or it is inconvenient to do so. You are also very good at telling people what they think, yet you have done little to understand them. Firstly I did not suggest a tolerant society should deport the BNP, I bemoaned the fact that as a tolerant society we cannot do so - it would be a contradiction in terms. Also I did not post that all ex-pats would return to these shores, I posted 'be returned' - ie if Britain gets rid of its 'non-indigenous' peoples why shouldn't other countries follow suit, it seems only fair to me. Simple extrapolation of warped BNP logic would mean a huge net influx of people into Britain. A fairly clear argument that you should be able to understand, but presumably deliberately choose to misconstrue. The reason for referring to the British Colonies should also be quite clear - we are talking about Britain, not anywhere else. Stop trying to avoid inconvenient truths by suggesting someone else did it, or it happens/happened elsewhere. There are certainly some puerile comments around that is for sure, others can judge just who it was that posted them. Everybody is entitled to their opinions and views, of course they are - I am expressing mine, you just don't happen to like it. I note my questions are still unanswered.
Anti-Pawn - First & foremost, referring to oneself as Anti-Pawn is somewhat esoteric & can only be construed as evasive. Not a good start. Your example of a given name (Griffin, Mandela) is intellectually insulting, most people understand the need for moderate identification, but you continue to obfuscate! This absolutely affirms my original observation. The meaningless facts are multifarious, why stop at 'out of Africa' The shores of the ancient oceans probably nurtured our earliest ancestors! Africa, for all its probability, is merely a theory. For your information, culture (knowledge & sophistication) override ancestry, on your reckoning we might still be at the shores of those ancient seas! Also --- The notion that ex-pats will rush to invade our shores is a pure figment of your imagination. If these people (ex-pats) suffered the onslaught of despots such as Mugabe & Zuma (not to mention many more) over the decades, they will not succumb. I could go on!!! Your puerile observance of the British Empire denotes a narrow view of history & tunnel vision (selective fact picking!) Should the relatives of Phillip of Macedonia prostrate themselves before history? Was Attila really a Hun? God forgive we should use such language! Recent history & the rise of fascism was simply a response to conditions at a certain time & place. If such circumstances are not to be repeated present-day politicians & political parties must address the concerns of the electorate. I support the BNP (after a lifetime of Labour) a progressive & innovative party. Respect my right to choose, as I respect your right to follow yours. To inquire if 'Nazism was good' is childish. Ask the Islamic world if Democracy is good! Do you understand Feudalism? It sustained the world (still does) for centuries. None of us have ALL the answers. Finally --- to suggest a tolerant society should deport those expressing opposing views (to whom?) begs one to ask; where in Heavens name did you get your definition of tolerance?
simonb - I cited an example of racism to make the point that racism exists today within the UK and is not the exclusive preserve of the BNP. Will you denounce the Jewish community as strongly as you attack the BNP?
The economic consequences of getting out of the EU are positive for Britain. We are an advanced, lucrative market of 60+ million souls, the Germans, French, and Italians want to sell us the BMWs, wines, and spaghetti. We could take up free trade with our natural partners such as the New Zealanders and get their delicious lamb at cheaper prices than EUro-enforced equivalents. We could take control of our fishing grounds and restore the jobs and lives of the British fishermen.
Maurice, maybe you'd like to explain your comments a bit further. What meaningless facts were rolled out? Where is the disdain for legitimate and cogent argument? And if you think that by sticking in a name on a post means someone is not being anonymous you are lacking something upstairs. I could call myself Nick Griffin, or Nelson Mandela if you prefer, just what would that prove? No reply to the questions posed though. Incidentally, even if 'political parties are representative of those that follow them, not the opposite' - so what? The Nazis were a political party, was that a good thing?
This character 'Anti-Pawn' is obviously a PC agitator, note the distinctive trade-marks. Operates anonymously, rolls out meaningless 'facts', & is disdainful of legitimate & cogent argument. Your scatter-gun approach to political debate is to see no merit in any view but your own!
To UKIP: have you really considered the economic consequences to withdrawal from the EU?
OK UKIPans, you lazy lot, no else has entered a response so I will -
Questions for UKIP
1. Why does your party say 'No to the EU', but 'Yes' to the EU's generous MEP salaries and expenses? WE ARE WORKING TO GET BRITAIN OUT BY UNDERMINING IT FROM THE INSIDE - WE SPEND THEIR EXPENSES AND ALLOWANCES ON PRINTING ANTI-EU PROPAGANDA, I KNOW, I DELIVERED SOME THRU DOORS LAST NIGHT
2. You claim that your opposition to the EU is due to a desire to protect Britain's national sovereignty. But why do you support British membership of other bodies such as the World Trade Organisation and Nato which also impinge sovereignty?
WE BELIEVE IN WORLD TRADE AND DEFENCE IN SENSIBLE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE USA. WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY TRADING WITH THE WHOLE WORLD FOR MANY CENTURIES AND WE KEPT EUROPE FREE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GOOD OLD BOYS OVER THE POND THRU THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC AND THE THIRD REICH, OK?
3. Why does your party refuse to publish details of its MEPs' expenses?
I AM NOT AN EXPERT ON THIS, BUT I THINK WE DO TO SOME EXTENT. I DRINK (AND WORK) WITH WEST MIDS MEP MIKE NATTRASS ON A REGULAR BASIS, AND HE TELLS ME AND ANYONE ELSE ALL ABOUT THE EXPENSES AND ALLOWANCES WE ARE SPENDING ON OFFICES IN THE UK TO ENABLE US TO CAMPAIGN TO GET THE UK BACK FOR THE BRITS SO ASK HIM IF WANT DETAILS
What questions would you suggest that I ask the candidate from the English Democrats Party, Libertas and the Jury Team? This election is expected to see a rise in support for the minor parties.
While we are wasting time on the BNP I have some questions of my own I'll be asking them when they come knocking. Maybe Manny would like to answer them now to save me the wait. 1) What is the BNP view that their own ancestors originate out of Africa? (that must be upsetting for them). 2) As the BNP wants all immigrants and their descendants to return to their native countries, do they expect all British Colonial descendants and all other British expatriates to be returned to Britain? Have they examined the economic consequences? 3) Given that Britain plundered enormous amounts of wealth from its former colonies, will the BNP be repaying this (with or without interest), and how will they fund it. I could go on, but that will do for now.
" Where would the money for your proposed 45bn 'Green New Deal' come from?"
I suspect it will come from the same place that money is found to pay for Trident, aircraft carriers, and Olympic games, but where money cannot be found for new medical treatments, or NHS dentistry.
At the end of the day, they seem to have different set of priorities, and the public can then vote according to their views on what is proposed.
If the author of that first one really is called Manny Goldstein, then I am really called Abu Hamza. Anyway, vote No2EU - Yes To Democracy.
Talk about moving the goal-posts! You traduce the BNP, get a prompt reply & fellow-travellers continue selective assaults. Answers are answers (note the absence of reply from the parties presumably followed by your contributors) I congratulate you on the broad observance of criticism, but political parties are representative of those that follow them, not the opposite (i.e being led) so we make our choice. The Labour Party, in its early days was ridiculed by the establishment (so what's new?) Were they (the establishment) eerily prescient?
People as ignorant as BNP advocates don't deserve acknowledgement, so don't bother, it is a waste of time and energy. They won't get a significant number of seats as the majority see them for what they are. It is only a shame that a tolerant society cannot deport them all to their very own island where they can preach their rubbish to themselves to their hearts content.
Manny, Manny, Manny...... "what is wrong with racism?". ?! You can't justify the racist behaviour of one group by showing us how another group behaves. Two wrongs do not make a right, and if your best answer to the question is in effect the playground foot-stamping attitude of 'well, they do it so why shouldn't we?' it seems that you have no real defence for the BNP's selection process.
@Manny.
"What is wrong with racism?"
Really?
That's your response?
Incidentally, just because someone else is doing it, doesn't make it right. Are you ok with mimicing the policies of the Janjaweed too?
What crimes have Richard, Lumley and Hitchens committed? The question is stupid.
As usual the British political scene, domestic and European, is one big buzzing confusion. Does anyone know what they are doing anymore - or where they are going? It seems not and the whole place seems to have become a seething quagmire of racism, bigotry, and quite unintelligent expenses fiddling by those who should know better, those who are already well heeled but have totally abdicated from their responsibility to society to set an example.
Is it any wonder then that I do not ever want to set foot on the shores of perfidious Albion again. I detest the innate stupidity of BNP policies and the attitudes of the people who formulate them but, given the consequences of equally stupid immigration policies over the past 30 years the country can hardly be called British anymore. Indian, Pakistani and Islamic ghettos are everywhere and there seems to be little difference between the Thames embankment and any Arab or Indian bazaar. There were always too many people living in Britain and there are far too many now.
Back in the early 1980s during the reign of "Queen Margaret", I was traipsing around India. She paid a visit and was greeted with much anger over her immigration policy as it affected Indians. When she addressed the Indian parliament she shouted over the jeers and catcalls and silenced them by stating that Britain, given her territorial area, was far more densely populated than India and they had no idea of the problems the British government faced in this regard. Even if her policies did change Britain very much for the worse, she was a gutsy woman. And now, given a choice between living in an Indian type Britain (or a Pakistani one or one centred around Islam and Sharia law) and India I would always choose India. At least it would be the genuine article. But I choose instead to live in New Zealand which is as near as I can get to the Britain I knew as a boy and was educated in.
Answers from the BNP - but you may not like them!
Q1. What is wrong with racism? Many Jews support efforts to ensure Jews do not marry Gentiles in order to preserve the Jewish race. Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks is concerned about 'marrying out'.
2. Yes, why should it not apply to them? Our policy is clear, if the BNP is democratically elected why should they not honour the election manifesto.
3. Inverted comma's have the effect of attributing the enclosed text to someone else. As Rustie Lee was not born in the UK, it is possible to question whether she merits the word British.