Clegg v Farage : April 2nd

As Ukip has not yet released its Manifesto for the 2015 General Election, I think we should reserve judgement regarding its immigration policy. And perhaps bear in mind that should it successfully oversee a withdrawal from the EU - its main policy plank - then it would have to permit immigration from non-EU countries if only to make-up for the shortfall of staff for the NHS etc.

When the Conservative Government came to power in 2010 it inherited an immigration policy that had gone completely mad. The previous administration had an 'open door' policy and Settlement Visas were very easy to obtain - as I know from personal experience. In 1999, I applied for such a Visa from the British Consulate in St Petersburg. Two simple forms to be completed, an Affidavit of Support plus two Passport photos were all that was required and the fee was around £150. We paid the fee and handed-in the forms and were told to wait for a few minutes after which my fiancee was taken to a side room and interviewed for all of 3 minutes. I was then called-in and informed that we could collect her Visaed Passport later that afternoon.

Not only did the last Labour government make it easy for non-EU citizens to enter the UK permanently, they also misrepresented the amount of inwards migration from the EU to the tune of 450,000 for the years 2006 to 2010. MigrationWatch believes that the nett EU migration to the UK for the years 1997 to 2010 - the Labour years - was close to 4 million. In its report of 30th March, the organisation estimates migration from EU countries to be around 130,000 a year - hence the Daily Mail's (and other newspapers') reporting that EU migration will fill a city the size of Manchester every four years.

By all accounts, last night's TV debate was another points win for Farage: the post-debate Guardian/ICM poll puts Farage on top at 69% to 31% whilst YouGov's figures differ slightly at 68% for Farage and 27% for Clegg. The Conservative Party will be particularly worried by Farage's overwhelming wins at both debates; Lord Ashcroft, the party's former deputy chairman, reportedly tweeted "On balance Farage will gain votes tonight".

I don't think Farage or Ukip actually pose a threat to non-EU migration but I would suggest that the right-wing Conservatives will seek to make it very much more difficult for non-EU nationals to get visas and they will use the "Ukip effect" as an alibi excuse.

Some of what they say makes sense. For me its the other stuff that doesnt and is sufficient concern that I would want anybody in but them. Farage serves to point out some of the issues. Its what he would do to fix them that is alarming.

Farage was clearly embarrassed by the Indian Reservation poster. He denied all knowlege of it. so even he, at this point in time, wanted to disassociate himself from its content and inference. He was visibly rattled by it.

Did anyone else notice his drift towards the left last night?

That isnt really enough to be convincing, given their history and hidden agenda.

I didn't see the debate but as Dave says he apparently won hands down, I look forward to seeing a repeat of the show.

I suggest that you should be far more concerned about the Tories' likely reaction to Ukip's rise in popularity than about Ukip itself. Many on the right of the Tory party are sympathetic to Ukip's stance on immigration and could force the government to take a much tougher line on non-EU migration. Cameron won't want another potential revolt on his hands.

The Tories are electable. Ukip isn't. Yet.

On Spouse and Fiancee visas if Farage got a foot in the door. Can we imagine Farage and his clowns gleefully rubber stamping our loved ones FLR or ILR or even British citizenship applications? I cannot. Or rather, I wouldn't like to put it to the test.

Mr Farage gesturing towards Filipina visa applicants.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26865692

This is what really pisses me off.

Mr Farage is obviously NOT gesturing towards Filipina visa applicants,
in fact he is not gesturing towards anybody.

A split second taken from a video, take it out of context if it makes you happy,
but your statement, and the underlying message are totally false.

I am surprised that you use the term "Filipina",
Surely a gender neutral term would be more politically correct.

And I cannot see any of the other parties "gleefully rubber stamping our loved ones.....applications" as you so eloquently put it. It is their policies that are making the process increasingly difficult for non-EU citizens.

Well spotted. . But it's quite funny putting it across that way. Though Sir Nige might aswell be putting two fingers up at our wives and fiancees given his innate thoughts on the matter.

How about the view of Mr Milliband?

Nigel Farage should be excluded from TV election debates, says Ed Miliband
"Labour leader calls for repeat of 2010 debates involving three main parties, saying: 'I am not that interested in Nigel Farage'"

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/apr/03/nigel-farage-tv-election-debates-ed-miliband

Well of course he wasn't really. It was clearly not to be taken literally.

UKIP have, however, stated that they will stop all new immigration for 5 years. So that would mean no spouse or fiance visas in that time.

So....who is right? Nigel or Nick? Is it 7% of UK laws given away to Brussels or 70%? Quite a difference. One of them at least must be telling Porkies. How is the man in the street supposed to make an informed decision against that sort of backdrop of information?

What I would like to know is where Farage and his clowns would draw the line? We know they would stop new immigration for 5 years except for work permits. But where is their real boundary. Would it stop at that? Are they capable, if given the power, of stopping the awarding of ILR, for example? Are they capable and would they wish to reverse citizenship? We might say unlikely but do any of us know where these guys would draw the line? Given their form and history and who they are associated with, it is left for us to wonder.

Could they not? Anything is possible, depending on the regime in power. How about if they were instrumental in pulling out of EU? Would that not make it easier for them to do as they see fit in these matters?

Wasnt there a nice chap that did just that some years back?

Not forgetting of course that as soon as Farage withdraws from the EU then the right to the EU route by our beloved filipinas would also be quashed. Double Whammy.

I am not talking as if it is fait accompli. Really just pointing out that if we arent't careful, we will all be hyptnotically induced into voting for Farage et al, all because he likes a fag and a pint. And the worst could then happen.