HOW TO LEAVE THE EU - WITH CONSERVATIVES OR UKIP?

Objectivity is not easy if you are a politician. Personal views and feelings get in the way of the party line. 

They tell me many members of the UK #Conservative party are defecting to burgeoning #UKIP. I've no evidence to suport the fact.  What's certain however is that while I was in the U.K. I met many long-standing Conservatives disappointed with the Conservative approach to Europe.  

These dissatisfied Conservatives want to get away from Europe; they don't want Europe imposing its views and laws on everything from a light bulb to energy policy. They are sick and tired of the ever increasing burden of barmy health and safety laws, green policies, perverse human rights decisions, and disgraceful wastes of money. They worry about giving control of UK energy industries to outside interests - including European interests. There's a lot more. In short they want sovereignty back.

Accordingly I can see why, not just many Conservatives, but many members of the Labour and Liberal Parties, might decide to defect to UKIP. 

How to leave the EU? Be objective. Put aside Party doctrine and question which Party offers the best opportunity to regain sovereignty. 

Would it be the Conservative Party with its leader's promise of a referendum on the subject? Or maybe it's UKIP; but is that a Party ready for Government? It's unlikely to be the Labour Party which yet has to decide what policies to follow.  As things stand it would never be the namby-pamby Liberals with their sycophantic European agenda.

Politics will always be influenced by diverse vested interests. The political dimensions of quitting the #E.U. are no exception. So beware! 

Politicians should not underestimate these issues and the importance of adapting so that objectivity and honesty become a major part of their political creeds.

If the Conservative Party wishes to regain lost ground maybe it should take a deep breath and question whether it achieves absolute objectivity? For example should it have the courage to respond to what it knows Conservative supporters actually want? Or does it know better? Should it start by having the courage to ditch the Liberals and end the pernicious Coalition? Should it tell the electorate the Conservatives will quit Europe; explain how, and explain why?  

As for UKIP? For sure it hopes to continue its meteoric growth. But should it also take a deep breath and question how it can convince the electorate it would be ready for Government?  If so, then would it help to explain how its political objectives will be achieved?  Is its biggest challenge to morph into rather more than just an influential catalyst? 

UKIP, CAMERON, AND DITCHING THE LIBERALS

Why doesn't #Cameron ditch the #Liberals? Easy question eh?  Most everyone would say "He needs them!" 

Well does he? #Clegg and his party appear to be going down the drain.  But for teachers and "right wing" elements in the #BBC, support would probably collapse completely.  But of course without Clegg and his fellows the #U.K. Coalition government is finished. And if Cameron thought he could win a General Election then certainly he would ditch the Liberals. But he doesn't; so he won't.

So what is the opposition?  #Milliband and ..oh yes...#UNITE (representing workers across the U.K??).  No opposition there surely!? UNITE's recent rather windy Scottish excursion left it blushing with kilt above the head and very little of any significance below. As for Milliband, bless him,  he still tags along in the shadow of his equally competent brother.

So what is the opposition?  It has to be #UKIP. There simply is no other contender.

But is #UKIP just a force for change? Or could it really serve the U.K. in majority government?  

All depends on the courage and perception of the U.K. electorate.  What's crucial is not how they perceive UKIP. It's how they perceive the preparedness of UKIP for government. And that's the crunch.

UKIP IN DECLINE OR ASCENDANCY

From over here in Spain I watch the progress of #UKIP with interest. I've admired the honesty of its leader, its broad appeal to the UK electorate, and its growing support.

I, too, have very little doubt that the #U.K. would be better off outside of the EU. But how will it extricate itself?  Who will say that a referendum producing a majority in favour of leaving the EU, is a guarantee that the #U.K. will actually leave the E.U? 

 A #UKIP government would appear to be the only sure way of  waving the EU, but not its people,  goodbye.

But can UKIP ever expect to form a government? Or will it simply become just another pressure group? Is #UKIP in decline or ascendancy? 

It seems to me that unfortunately #UKIP's political profile, is perceived as immature by some quite influential people. Some of these people are in Industry, some are in other countries, some politicians, and some form part of the U.K. electorate.  Of course there are other groups. 

For example who would deny that in a peaceful country no political party gets to govern unless it has a sound relationship with that country's Civil Service? #UKIP need to work on this.  Whatever the certainty of their feelings towards the Civil Service and the #PublicSector generally,  #UKIP needs to show some political maturity and get to grips with these issues. I believe UKIP's leadership already understand this; but maybe its grass-roots have some growing to do?

I recall that when I last wrote from Spain voicing some gentle criticism relating to the ebullient Mr Bloom, I was savaged by several grass-roots UKIP members who suggested I would do well to remain in Spain!!  Perhaps not the best way to treat an occasionally supportive political commentator - and definitely immature politically, bless them!!  "Not helpful" as the Minister would say!    

UKIP is already a useful and quite successful agent for change.  But it knows that's not enough to achieve its main objective.  

#Cameron, #Clegg and #Milliband and their very influential industrial and commercial colleagues, and the #CivilService, appear to be stuck to the EU with superglue....well that's how some perceive things!  #UKIP seems to be the only U.K. party hoping to break the apparent bonds.  But to do so, should they first think about changing how they are perceived? A UKIP Government might then become a real possibility rather than a remote hope? 

Of course, without a disciplined approach, this could turn into an impossible struggle. But who will blame me for wishing any well-motivated politician good fortune in their endeavours?

Oh........and to any UKIP supporters who feel uncomfortable with these comments, I apologise! Follow the example of your leader Mr #Farage and express views intelligently, from a soundly researched base, and with political maturity.

SHALE GAS - UKIP AND USA - THE FRACKING DEBATE

Switch to the news and chances are someone will mention fracking before long !

Extracting gas from shale is a controversial procedure in an ever-dying "Green" #Europe. Scientists - some previously unheard of - disagree over its safety.  However cross the pond and watch as the USA surges forward in shale-gas extraction.  A completely revised energy policy is emerging.  They recognise the risks in #fracking;  but they also take into account the risks of other energy production.

Politicians and entrepreneurs in the #USA have clearly decided that the risks posed by fracking are acceptable when compared to the risks already taken in alternative forms of energy production.

And this is where burgeoning political party #UKIP is to be congratulated. So far as I can tell it is the only UK political party to openly and bravely conclude that fracking would be good for the UK economy. Therein lies the strength of #UKIP.

Refreshingly UKIP appears to be a party unafraid to state its position in a down to earth way: clearly, openly, and honestly. This "man in the street" approach has got it into trouble from time to time. But far from losing members and support it goes on from strenght to strength!! Its main policy is to get the UK out of Europe. It does fear UK population growth fuelled by uncontrolled immigration and says so to the horror of the PC, 

namby-pamy liberal and leftish influences in #Westminster and the #Media. It is accused of being racist and politically naive. Its members are described by some as fascist. These accusations appear to be in proportion to the level of suport #UKIP receives!! The greater its support, the more it's accused !!

I watch with interest as #UKIP continues to grow.  It surfs a huge wave of support with the policy of getting out of Europe as soon as posible. Let's hope it can maintain the moral highground and that selfish vested interests will not resort to dirty tricks in their attempt to keep the #UK in the #EU. Watch this space!!