Anti-E.U. U.K. Independence Party has secured its first seat in parliament

[Rx_]

http://rt.com/uk/194748-ukip-parliament-first-seat/
I read this in Russia Today. Anymore, RT appears to provide factual stories without as much bias.

A google indicated the very, very few US Media reports even covered this event. One of the few New York media cast this election as an "Extreme Right". The New York media also strongly indicating the voters wanted to destroy trade and business.

So my question to those of you who live there:
Does this election make any real statement about the trends in the UK?
What are your feelings and the feelings of your associates?
Is this really an Extremist movement or perceived that way?

It would be interesting to hear any pro/con or it isn't that big of deal...
from the UK perspective. - thanks

 

[Brianwarnock]

Extremist? That depends on your definition of extremist. To the liberal left anybody who wishes to discuss immigration is an extremist and a bigot, and the Conservatives also refuse to discuss the issue much less address it. This and this alone is enough for the electorate to rebel against the old parties, they see in their daily lives the effect of the uncontrolled mass immigration introduced by the Blair government and enforced by the EU's open borders policy.

It is not that they are against immigration but a society can only absorb immigrants at a controlled reasonable rate.

Brian

 

[Brianwarnock]

I'm not sure that I understand what you're getting at with the trends question, if you are asking if we are moving to the right then I believe no, I dont think that UKIP is really perceived as a right wing party and as the vote in Heywood and Middleton shows in left leaning voters are voting for it.

Brian

 

[Brianwarnock]

As for me and people I speak with, they all want the immigration issue tackled and reform of the EU, but are not so sure on actually leaving the EU. One confusing issue is that the European Court of Human Rights, which ought to be a good thing but isn't , is often seen as an instrument of the EU and it is completely separate.

Brian

 

[Rx_]

Let me say that I follow Nigel Farage interviews. At a political level and economic level, his interviews and videos are among my favorite.
I only wish our country would allow 3rd parties so we citizens could at least discuss the issues in open forums and the ballot box.
The US Press coverage however is less than friendly, even shameful, possibly to the point of dishonest.

Me following the videos and news release from across the pond isn't the same as the perceptions of the citizens. I want to thank you for your response. I feel it is based on sound judgement for a complex problem. That is refreshing to see in today's world.

 

[Rabbie]

In my opinion UKIP is not a right wing party but a populist party. It is very good at promising what a lot of people want to hear with no real explanation of how they would deliver.

They are attracting a lot of protest votes which is not uncommon in UK by-elections and it will be interesting to see how their vote stands up in the General Election next May

 

[Brianwarnock]

With our first past the post voting system people do tend to vote for a main party in the general election as they do not wish to allow a party they definitely don't want to get in by default.
If we had a transferable vote system we would get a much better idea of what the electorate really thought.

All parties promise and fail to deliver, the left never have a clue about finance and the right about social care.

Brian

 

[Rx_]

The New York Times and other US news has recently backed away from using such harsh descriptions this week. My guess is that it is after a recent poll showing the growth expected.
The European and Russia Today news generally reference it a more populist.

It is sometimes easy for a US reporter to make a category based on assumptions. I value both of your ideas on the subject. In the old days, we actually had professional journalist. Nowdays, the tabloid headlines seem to rule the today.

 

[Rx_]

December 11, 2014 - Bloomberg TV
We have the UK Royality visiting the US and all of the media to follow.
The representative was asked about the couple. Then they asked him about Nigel of UKIP. I wasn't interested in the UK couple. The sudden question about the UKIP during the UK Royality interview caught me by surprise.
I am just reporting what the New York financial news (Bloomberg TV) covered:
As the UK couple's representative talked, the TV banners were quoting him about the UKIP being a "right wing" group. He described Nigel as a "rebel rouser" and other terms like that.
My take on his description as understood by the US viewers is that the UKIP is a right-wing party with a foundation of racism. It is a popular story in New York for those who read one-line headlines.
Since I follow UKIP, I feel his description on Boomberg this morning was completely unfounded and really uncalled for. In retrospect, I feel a tendency to associate his motives with the UK Royal Couple visit to the US. Are they here for charity and good-will, or here for charity plus political support? But, that is just my personal feeling as this is all I have followed about the Royal Couple.

On the positive side, he did say that Nigel is a great speaker.

This post was just a follow up to the previous conversation because it was on TV this morning.