1. They want to repress your freedom of religion.
Their 2010 manifesto stated that they would require referendums for the building of any new place of worship, thereby isolating members of religious communities. Their 2014 manifesto calls for referendums on 'major planning and service provision', which could also include the limitation on new places of worship.
2. They're xenophobic.
Their 2010 referendum blamed foreign football players on British teams for the lack of success in the sport, and supported discrimination. Their 2014 referendum outrightly blames (and stereotypes) Romanian citizens in the United Kingdom for rises in crime rates, and they want to cut foreign aid. Immigration cuts proposed by UKIP could also jeopardize essential services to our health system; cause an increase of under-representation within parliament, and lead to homogeneity.
Often UKIP's actions downright bypasses xenophobia and crosses into straight up racist. The Party was recently entertained by a comedian called Paul Eastwood at their spring conference, whose set played on racial stereotypes, much to the joy of the party. On Thursday, two UKIP candidates (James Silverfox and Gary Port) were mentioned in The Evening Standard because of their racist comments.
3. They want to take your money ...
UKIP want to impose a tax similar to the Poll Tax. This means that all persons earning over just £11,500 will pay 31%. It means that persons earning minimum wage, whilst working full time, will pay the same rate of tax as multimillionaires.
4. ... And spend it on themselves.
Despite the expenses scandal of 2009, UKIP support increasing the freedom given to MPs for their expenses. They specifically refer to allowing MPs to use first class, thereby supporting their idea that middle aged, middle or upper class, white British males (the majority of British MPs) are 'first class' citizens who can do what they want with British Tax Revenue - which will come from over one third of your income.
5. ... But not on councillors.
Unlike MPs, which can be drafted into a place to run as a party candidate from anywhere else in the country, Councillors are often local people wanting to make a difference to their locality. However, whilst they're supporting the near autonomy of MPs to decide their own wage through the increase of expenses liberties, they want to cut pay to councillors, whilst devolving more responsibilities to local councils. Effectively, they want to hand their responsibilities off to councils whilst increasing their own wage, and decreasing council wages. Is that fair to the bin collectors?
6. They want to reverse women's rights.
In 2010, UKIP candidate Geoffrey Clarke stated in his 'personal manifesto' that he wanted to impose compulsory abortions on unborn babies diagnosed with downs syndrome or other disabilities. By allowing this man to run for their party, UKIP supported his ideals, and failed to support women's right to choice to make decisions which involve their own body.
7. They see disability as a burden on the state.
In addition to the above, which undervalue both the role of women in society, and is extremely ignorant of the amount of joy that less able people find in life, there is no mention of policies which would increase the independence and/or provide support to people with disabilities in their 2014 manifesto.
8. They want to limit your movement.
UKIP are notoriously anti-EU. The EU gives British citizens the right to move freely across the continent. The right to choose alternative and possibly cheaper higher education. The EU even makes holidays cheaper by removing the need for VISAS when visiting a country and allowing European travel companies - such as Ryanair or Air France - to operate without additionally taxes or tariffs. They want to increase police and police powers, which would no doubt result in more 'curfews'. If Scotland opt for independence in their upcoming election, then voting UKIP in 2015 would, in theory, make it harder for you to go and look for the Loch Ness Monster or experience the country's beautiful scenery.
9. They want to remove accountability from the state.
By 'free[ing] up the policy from excessive form filling', UKIP could be abolishing important protocol which upholds police behaviour, limits police brutality, and makes members of the police service responsible for their actions. This is in addition to increasing MP's expenses liberties.
10. They scare off European Companies.
Imagine what would happen to European Companies and TNC's if we left the EU. They could leave the country in the search for better economic environments. The UK could also lose tax revenue from banks as they leave to retain their position within a single market entity.
Additionally, British companies might have to withdraw from the EU as the continuing EU levies to European countries render British products unable to compete with cheaper European ones on the continent.
All of the above would affect employment.
11. They will lose our Human Rights Legislation.
British Human Rights Legislation is guaranteed under the European Commission of Human Rights. UKIP make no promises to restore these rights post-independence in their manifesto. Under this we lose our right to life, our ability to use force in defence against unlawful violence, our right to liberty, a fair trial, religion, free thought, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, minimum wage, and so on.
12. We will lose our right to marry.
Not only is UKIP outrightly opposed to gay marriage, the right to marry is a part of our human rights legislation. To quote Firage: "I do not support the idea of same-sex marriages, all the while we're under the auspices of the European Court of Human Rights."
He has refused to clarify on whether he would support gay marriage following independence from the EU.
Share This Article
