UKIP abstain from anti racism vote.

[Dawndonna]

here
Okay, so that's what happens with a protest vote. I hope to hell they don't get anywhere in a general election.

[2old2beamum]

I hope to god you are right.
Why can't people see they ar evil.

[flatpackhamster]

It seems pretty clear to any impartial observer that the purpose of this was to generate headlines. It's a way for the other councillors to burnish their multi-culti credentials while trying to paint UKIP as 'evul racialists'. I'm sure we'll be seeing plenty more of these lazy smear attempts.

[Dawndonna]

a Telegraph lazy smear attempt

[JakeBullet]

If it wasn't an issue for them then why abstain? Smear tactics it may be but they can choose to prove their credentials rather than hedge the issue by abstaining.

[spidersandslugs]

They are the BNP in disguise. I will be voting in the next general election just to oppose them.

[JakeBullet]

I am less convinced by the BNP in disguise stuff, although I have certainly accused them of this in the past. I do think they attract some odd types sometimes though and their selection procedures are not great as the "odd types" slip through.

I generally find them stuffy and old fashioned "women know thy place" types (the men). Anyhow, I will find out MUCH more soon as I am on the case with our local neglected shopping centre and our newly elected UKIP councillor made big noise about it in his campaigning......time for him to put his money where his mouth is. hoping to get him on board with a loud and noisy campaign.

[lljkk]

It's totally consistent with their party platform. They oppose any measure that endorses multi-culturalism or requires organisations to try to achieve cultural diversity or representation of wider society. They are all for personal prejudice and discrimination on the basis of gender, race, age or disability. They are the UK equivalent of The Tea Party, I reckon.

If we get more UKIP in govt., Will be funny when brown business owners start preferentially hiring only other brown people to work for them under UKIP-inspired policies.

[topsyandturvy]

The reason people vote for them is their billboard headlines about immigration measures. I totally agree with the billboard headlines BUT I have the sense and ability to dig deeper and discover their various disgraceful values and policies.

Others dont, they live in the moment, they are out of work, desparate for money, the place is "swarming with foreigners", they see the billboard ads and vote UKIP. Simple as that unfortunately.

[BinarySolo]

I agree that it's the policies on Europe and immigration that make people vote ukip. If people where just racist they'd vote bnp. I really hope the government sits up and takes notice of the rise in ukip's popularity and actually TAKES ACTION. Tensions in areas like Boston and Spalding will only get worse if not tackled.

[BombJack]

Around my area, it's as blue as can be. MP has an enormous majority, so voting has never mattered in the slightest. In the Council elections, UKIP came a close second in every single seat to the Tories. I don't think that has ever happened before (the Tories never even bother to canvas round here).

I'm interested in what UKIP are saying mainly due to their stance on the EU. They are promising a referendum, and my vote will most likely go to the party that's serious about giving us one. Given that they are also the only party capable of removing the plank of an MP we have, I'm paying some attention.

If I thought they were like the BNP, I'd have nothing to do with them though. I've emailed their branch Chair, and asked to go along as a guest to their next branch meeting. If I like what I see, they'll get my vote in future. If they start coming out with anything dodgy, they won't.

Most political parties will admit observers to their branch meetings - although it will differ between branch to branch I suppose. Might be worth doing that if you're worried about what they might really stand for.