Anthony Butcher

Quote:

UKIP will end multiculturalism and promote an all embracing ‘monoculturalism’

That'll be UKIP's libertarian roots coming through then... oh, no, wait...

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If you care about what's in your food and where it comes from, then get it labelled!
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Reg Anthony

I was surprised not to see Rustie Lee's name in the list of contributors to this document, because they're surely "avin' a larrff", as she would say.

Seriously, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Four years ago we almost broke the mould of British politics. A year ago, we had receded somewhat from that prospect, but we were still being promised a "massive rollout" of policy papers which would transform our credibility.

Now we are reduced to this.

I doubt Private Eye could have done better if it wished to paint a more ridiculous satire of us.

Did Craig Brown pen the following, for exampe?

"Sports are an important part of British life. Every summer, millions watch the Ashes series, and cricket is a sport in which Britain celebrates its close ties with Commonwealth friends. Indeed, cricket is the most popular sport in India whilst curry is the most popular food in Britain".

(by the way, to the obvious "cricket lover" who actually wrote it: the Ashes series is not watched every summer - try one summer and one winter in every four....)

chikrodah

Anthony, America is the reason the UK has chavs who like rap and McDonalds extra-value meals, didn't you know?

America is the reason we "dress down" at work, no longer wear evening dress to the theatre and swear in public.

America is the reason that all those horrid jumped-up City oiks drink lager with a bit of fruit in the neck of the bottle and buy Starbucks from buildings that weren't built of wattle & daub construction.

America is the reason the police are no longer polite when UKIP policy makers ask them what time it is.

You would have thought, alongside the inanities and the anachronistic view of modern Britain, somebody would have taken the Britishness policy team for tea and sticky buns in Stratford or Royal Leamington Spa. Both have McDonalds, both have Starbucks/Costas/Coffee Republics. Both have malls. Both towns also have intelligent local councillors who refused planning permission for garish American signs outside the listed shop facades in their high streets.

UKIP, yet again, has produced a policy created by team members who seem to have little idea about what it's like to live in modern Britain.

Anthony Butcher

All this artificial culture creation is very French, and very un-British. The only surprise is that they haven't called for a quango to approve new words in the English language.

In fact, the more I read this document, the more it is a hideous exercise in social engineering that would put Labour to shame.

Quote:

"undesirable American influences such as Gangster Rap",

Quote:

UKIP will also encourage in schools the teaching and celebration of fine British food using local produce

The great thing about British food, is that there is no such thing really. We have everything from curry to pizza to Chinese... all eaten in vast qualtities. I have never been to another country where the variety and quality of food has been as good as in Britain (as a vegetarian!).

__________________
If you care about what's in your food and where it comes from, then get it labelled!
Label My Food - http://www.labelmyfood.org.uk

chikrodah

Don't forget the condescending bit where they point out that cricket is awfully popular in India (good chaps, taught them everything we know, eh what?) whilst curry is awfully popular in Britain (proving we're jolly good eggs who support the natives when they come over here and cook for us)....

UKIP doesn't need others to attack it. Ask its hierarchy to create a policy and watch as they repeatedly shoot themselves in the foot.

chikrodah

Sorry Reg, missed your post. Still, great minds....

Anthony Butcher

I note there is no consideration given to costs again. The document includes a vast array of measures to be introduced, yet makes no mention about the financial impact. How much will a new film studio cost, for example?

__________________
If you care about what's in your food and where it comes from, then get it labelled!
Label My Food - http://www.labelmyfood.org.uk

Reg Anthony

How can this, on page 11 of the document:

be reconciled with this, two pages later?

At least no-one could describe the authors as professional bigots...

Anthony Butcher

__________________
If you care about what's in your food and where it comes from, then get it labelled!
Label My Food - http://www.labelmyfood.org.uk

Reg Anthony

While there's much in the document that does no more than have you shaking with laughter, there are one or two more uncomfortable undercurrents. In parts, I will go so far as to say there is a whiff of racism about it - certainly an obsession with racial matters - although in usual fashion the paper is quick to cover itself by quoting the likes of Trevor Phillips and wheeling out the "we are a non-racist, non-sectarian party" mantra, wherever it can. (On most occasions when I see that mantra rolled out, I am led to think that the best way to prove its veracity is to avoid the need to use it as a rider in the first place.)

Take the following:

Why on earth do you have to be a "Britainhating Marxist PC Warrior" to look positively on any of those issues? Or, put it another way, are the authors suggesting hearts should be cooled by plotlines involving slavery, black presidential candidates or interracial relationships? Dodgy, I would suggest...