UKIP - What is it they are going to do for you?

There is a tragic story on the front of today's Metro. A young man unable to find work who took his own life.

http://metro.co.uk/2014/05/20/worth...himself-after-40-failed-applications-4734779/

In the UKIP world view no doubt the competition for jobs he faced would serve as another indictment of immigration. But the reality is more complex.

He had a job and was made redundant, maybe the banking crisis and austerity were to blame? As a qualified gardener with a strong work ethic he surely would have found work elsewhere or as self employed? Maybe it's therefore down to employment services or a lack of entrepreneurial confidence? Or maybe this was a very extreme reaction and tells you more about masculinity, or mental health services or education. Sadly we just don't know. Poor guy.

Whatever, I reject the simple explanations that UKIP put forward. I also don't believe they would help people at his level. They would drive down wages and cut public services. They would not create an environment where someone like him could seek help or benefits. And as for dealing with the complexities of Health, Education etc they are a joke.

UKIP voters in the main are over 50's unhappy with what they read about the Britain in the press. They are the 'down with that sort of thing' generation. They like things simple.

 

To me, a fair living wage covers the average rent/mortgae, food, bills for one person, with a bit left over for savings & spendings. It does not cover a comprehensive sky package or a 5000 minute per month iphone contract renewed every 2 years.

With a bit of back on evelope calculations I'd say something of the order of £12,000 after tax (or if I had my way this would be the threshhold) pa for a standard 9-5 5 days a week.

That's 100 council tax, 50 gas/elec 20 water 200 food 500 rent/mortgage with 130 left for savings and other things.

I think this isn't far off what the Lib Dems aim the threshold to be.Which at the moment is £10K raising to £10.5K?

 

Surely employers can manage this and if not is the business viable?

 

You have used a tragic situation, through mindless speculation as to the why's and therefore's, to make some extremely cheap and unfounded digs against a Party that doesn't even have any MP's :doh:

Even for you, I think you are scraping the barrell.

 

Whilst I don't doubt that UKIP are not yet mature enough to manage an economy, I fail to see why they would drive down wages? Their policies would directly reduce the labour supply thus creating upward pressure.

 

And having read the article I am completely failing to understand what this has to do with UKIP.

 

Why let common sense get in the way of an anti right-wing rant?

 

It's not unreasonable at all considering UKIP's one note approach to all matters political, so pipe down.

They are discussing this on the Radio at the moment and just played ZZ Top btw. It too was one note.

 

Because they are Free market and anti social protection. If you think the opposite then say how. Reducing the labour supply doesn't stimulate the economy, the opposite in fact.

 

The mere fact that you believe this is 'common sense' just shows what a full on loon you can be. There would be extraordinary hurdles to cross before UK protectionism leads to higher wages. Much more likely no minimum wage and lots of zero hours. Get a grip. UKIP could only deliver higher wages by economic success, or redistribution. Neither gonna happen.

 

Leaving aside the face their policies will reduce the labour supply which will clearly be inflationary to wages, you think that a capitalist low government interference route SUPPRESSES the economy? Do you think the USSR had a flying economy with high wages?

 

Incidentally, I am not saying that I would trust UKIP to run the economy, I am contesting the view that a small government, pro capitalist economy is somehow bad for economic growth!

 

Everyone talks about small government, but nobody delivers it. It's impossible in the modern world. Is it pro capitalist to cut ourselves off from our main trading partners, the EU member states?

 

The EU is a seperate (and detailed) argument. The reason I will vote UKIP in the EU elections is because I think government in it's current form is a weight around the nation's shoulders, showering the workforce with incompetence, cost, red tape and tax. Despite their rhetoric the Tories also follow a big government mantra. I want to give Cameron a kick.

I am not voting UKIP necessarily because I want to leave the EU. If there were a referendum right now I would vote to stay in. But I would need to give it a lot more thought and educate myself further exactly as to the benefits and the negatives. And I stress educate MYSELF because it seems clear that the pro EU lobby won't put forward their case - all they make are threats (and if that is all they have then I would vote to leave).

 

Anyway, we shall see the extent of UKIP's successes tomorrow. My guess is they will do pretty well, but won't replicate it at a general election.

Good luck to all the candidates except for the Lib Dems whom I'm sure we can all agree to hate in unity.

 

I would say your assessment is correct. 1st or 2nd tomorrow. Then maybe a couple of MPs in the general election (but they may get stiffed altogether by the current electoral system).

 

No matter what you think about UKIP, they have got a lot more people talking about politics, which I think is good no matter what side of the fence you are on. We even have three threads on here and the GE is a year away. I hate it when people moan about MPs and Policy but then can't be bothered to vote. (I do agree that people should have the right not to vote as well).

I think the turn out may be more than expected this year and next year because of UKIP whether you want them in or to try and keep them out.

 

It will be the making of them and the momentum will carry on until the GE or when it comes down to putting a cross in the box people will stick to the devil you know and the results will see UKIP almost disappear off the radar.

 

Re: voting. Do you live in a 'strong hold?' I used to, and so not voting was more powerful than actually taking an interest.

Also, I hate gays and love good weather, so I'm voting ukip this time.