"I'm sure that most of those trying to make the trip over from France are genuine asylum seekers looking for away out of crappy circumstances, but what's wrong with France?" I suspect the EU has some silly rule like if caught, the people have to make a declaration of asylum (probably in the language of the terra firma member) . So yer French customs/police can casually do a Wenger-esque 'I did not hear it' and on their way they go to the Channel ports. We need an EU FOI request to see precisely where, in what transport, and how often, member states are first encountering the illegals.
Unfortunately, it's all too easy for Farage. UKIP really only has a couple of policies. But they both are playing well with people from both sides of the great political divide. I hope as an election grows closer that they will face more intense questioning over their economic policies, etc.
As others said, UKIP candidates will come under greater scrutiny. And most will have something in their past that will be too embarrassing/bad to survive ordeal by tabloid. As for me, I like to get the raw data (as best it is available) and settle things decisively one way or another. So are EU member states (France in particular) taking the p*ss on UK-seeking illegals, or are they all really so sh*te in detecting them (wherever they first arrive) ??
L i'm sure of of how these immigrants are treated nowadays should they make it to the UK. However, the perception remains that it is the place to come to get work ( legal or otherwise) and all manner of Gvt assistance. Rightly or wrongly, illegal immigrants are given very short shrift here in Spain.
"Rightly or wrongly, illegal immigrants are given very short shrift here in Spain." But sent in what direction ?? Back from whence they came, or on their way if they mention the UK ??
Panorama have focused on Farage for one episode: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04lxvrd/panorama-the-farage-factor Nothing that'll immediately destroy his reputation, but he just seems like another hypocritical politician doing very little and stuffing his snout in the trough, to me.
Does Scotland want the Human Rights Act this government has vowed to abolish? The Scotland Act 1998 which granted devolution enshrined the HRA in Scottish law. So if the UK government abolishes it, it still remains part of Scottish law. And if the government tells the EU where to stick the ECHR and is forced to become the only country outside the Council of Europe (apart from the military dictatorship of Belarus), it would be impossible for Scotland to stay in as the SNP has promised. The UK is the signatory party so it's everybody in or everybody out. Glad to see Cameron really meant what he said about the importance of the Union when one of his first pronouncements on a major policy seems to ignore Scotland's position completely
Cameron wants the power to veto some articles (and the decisions made by Strasbourg) of Human Rights, as long as the cases involved don't happen in Scotland I don't see a problem. If some terrorist living in London does not want to be extradited to face trial in another country and Europe says he's entitled to asylum but Westminister disagree and extradite him anyway, I don't see how that impacts upon Scotland, the Scottish Parliament would not be involved.
Well if he's Scottish and the Extradition warrant is valid I'd drive him to Glasgow airport myself. On second thoughts...
You might, but the lawyers and politicians might view it differently. You also might end up getting kicked in the knackers. please log in to view this image Still a brilliant headline!
One of the reasons you lost Spurf is because that's exactly how Nicola Sturgeon sounded throughout the campaign. To make Alex Salmond seem almost cuddly is a hell of a feat.
Utter nonsense, what is your agenda Chirpy? I've seen and heard some ridiculous stuff during this campaign but someone who sounds less bitter than Nicola is hard to imagine. I'm trying to work out why you hold the position you do Chirpy, if as you say you live in London, what is your issue with Scottish Independence?
To be honest Spurf I could see pros and cons for an independent Scotland. As fascinating as the campaign was, (and it really was something the like of which we have never seen before,) I thought the No's campaign was half-assed and complacent, the yeses actually did a cracking job and thousands of people like you gave the "Westminster Elite" a bigger scare than they ever thought possible. A couple of things don't sit well with me. Firstly the cynical use of the 16-18 year old vote as attempted counter to the over 65's demographic,(and only a 16-18 year old would believe it was anything other than that,) and the fact that although the yeses would expect the nos to wrap themselves in the Scottish flag and embrace a new independent Scotland, had the result been reversed, the yeses if you are anything to go by, believe we should run the whole thing again in very short order and have another crack. A significant proportion of Scots' opinions have been duly noted; The West Lothian question will be answered at long last, along with more devolved powers being given to the Scottish Parliament (it would be be political suicide for any party not to tie these two together as anybody not aware of the imbalance sure as hell is is now.) But the point is, you lost. As is generally the nature with all things British, the victory was muddled, ill-planned and with a fair amount of luck and the defeat gallant and something to be celebrated for the most part, as a demonstration of the power of us ordinary folk to very nearly bring about real change; Something that seems a remote prospect to us South of the border. You have been an eloquent advocate for independence Spurf, but I honestly feel that this the one moment when it could have happened. An ageing population, which is averse to change and made even more so by scare tactics from both sides and a sackful of constitutional goodies, plus hopefully a brighter economic outlook, will make the task even harder if there is a next time. Also I have the feeling that thanks to people like you, it is not a question that will be taken for granted should it ever arise again and the No's campaign would be a much better prepared one. That's where I stand really. Scotland is part of the United Kingdom and looks set to stay so for quite some time. If half the energy of the campaign could be focussed on attracting investment and creating jobs there though, the results could be startling.
