Euro Elections - Which Way Will UKIP Jump?
There are some worried people in Brussels. As the financial crisis deepens, there have been cases of unrest throughout the European Union, especially with the BNP supported wildcat strikes in the UK.
Will the far-right gain from a protest vote, inspired by the political stalemate and financial crisis?
There are a couple of factors for the UK. What will the Conservative party do? Cameron's election campaign involved a pledge to immediately leave the EPP (Centre-right) group in the European Parliament, because they were seen as too pro-Europe. Most Tory MEP's were against this as it would affect financial support and leave them on the sidelines with the far-
-right parties.
So far this hasn't happened and Cameron is trying to sweep it under the carpet. However, pressure in on him to explain himself before the elections.
Where does this leave UKIP? Basically they're a right wing Tory party with a gifted leader and a bunch of ill disciplined eccentrics. They are not a racist party or far-right. But what happens if Cameron does play the Eurosceptic card? Their unique selling point vanishes.
This is why I am wondering about the Geert Wilders controversy, initiated by the UKIP Peer, Lord Pearson and Baroness Cox, a UKIP supporter. Both take a line that can be called islamophobia, and Cox campaigns for all Arabs to be removed from Jerusalem, for example.
The film and Wilders argument is bigoted and racist. He claims that all Muslims are violent extremists and the Koran should be banned. This is a hate filled rant and nothing more.
But is this a sign that UKIP will veer to the xenophobic right? Or, as I suspect, did the leadership of this shambolic party simply have no idea what was going on?
Although I've been reading
Although I've been reading and agreeing with this blog for years, I have to say, with all respect; you've not actually seen Fitna, have you? Or, in fact, studied any of the arguments or facts behind the last few weeks.
I'm afraid you've taken a very confident grasp of the very wrong end of a stick, for example, "the controversy" was NOT initiated by Lord Pearson, it was initiated by the anti-semitic, hate-preacher-inviting, on-trial-for-killing by dangerous driving Lord Ahmed.
Geert Wilders isn't the danger to the UK, Lord Ahmed is.
I have been getting the
I have been getting the background on Wilders and his film. He has nothing but ignorant hatred.
I think it's fairly clear
I think it's fairly clear that he's no danger to anyone in the UK though.
I don't think the UK really
I don't think the UK really needs someone stirring up trouble with xenophobic anti-muslim bullshit though.
no, we have islamic
no, we have islamic fundamentalists to do that job.
I agree with you that UKIP
I agree with you that UKIP might paint themselves into a corner as the Tories become more Eurosceptic (although the return of Clarke might provide ballast against that). But I'd have to disagree with you when you say:
[UKIP] are not a racist party
Johann Hari would disagree with you. And the Marxists. And Iain Dale. And David Cameron, obviously, but also even ex-members and in moments of lucidity maybe the recently joined.
reCAPTCHA has just offered me the two phrases "unity" and "$525". I don't know what that's an omen of.
I'll state the obvious for
I'll state the obvious for those who may not know:
Fitna, regardless of its message, is not a very good film.
Banning an MP from another EU country was a massive own goal.
Instead of choosing policy on the basis of Daily Mail headlines and potential votes, why don't the major parties actually follow some kind of, ooh I don't know... ideology?