UK Independence Party Polices

Although I have been aware of the UK Independence Parties stand on Europe ever since their formation back in 1993 they until recently been a one policy party. Recently, however they have been branching out to fill their political portfolio with polices to attract the voters they will need to win a election, the first step of which they took at last Thursdays  by-election in Clacton on sea. I thought it be worth looking at what they believe in.

Now I won't comment on there the polices of the parties at this stage other than say not down all the references to being British. There will be plenty of time to comment on these polices as we approach the general election.So here is what they are saying:

Membership of the European Union - It is well known that UKIP wants to leave the European Union completely and not seek to remain in the European Free Trade Area. They believe leaving the EU will protect jobs and increase prosperity in the UK. The also plan to review the legislation and regulations they feel have come from the EU and repel those that they feel stop Britain being prosperous. Instead they plan to take up Britain's seat at the World Trade Organisation.

Repairing the UK Economy - UKIP plans to repairing the economy includes increasing the personal allowance, reduce the higher rate of income tax, abolishing inheritance tax. Thus lowing the tax take of the government. This will be paid for by restructuring business taxes, reducing infrastructure spending, leaving the EU, cutting foreign aid and the scraping of the Department of Energy and Climate change and the Department of Culture and Media.

Prioritising Education and Skills - As far as education goes they are going to standardise GCSE's , A-levels and introduce an Apprenticeship qualification which can taken at GCSE Level and reintroduce Grammar schools that select on the basis of ability. They would then reduce the intake of the Universities while encouraging degrees in maths as long as the graduate lives and pays tax in Britain for five years. Finally all free schools would have to uphold British values.

Honouring the Military Covenant - UKIP plan to fully resource the military assets and personal and guarantee that those who have served in the armed forces for 12 years will get a job in the police, prison service or boarder force. They plan the setting up a Veterans Department get the after-service care including access to mental health services and priority social housing.

The National Health Service - They are promising a free NHS at point of delivery and that that GP's will be open one evening a week. In addition to this they will make local authorities to buy existing PFI arrangements and stop any further PFI agreements in the NHS. Finally the will oppose the sale of the health service to third parties, but they talked about cuts to the health service and favouring reduction of administration and management posts in the health service. Non-British people using the health service will have to pay the full cost of their treatement.

Controlling Boarders - UKIP will issue work permits to non-British workers who have specific skills that the country requires, they must speak English, have a job to go to and accommodation. Those without enough points under the UKIPs point system won't receive work permits and will effectively have to leave the country if they are already in residence in Britain for less than ten years. Anyone non-British national won't be eligible for benefits or access to the National Health Service until they have paid taxes in Britain for 5 years.

Foreign Aid - UKIP will make substantial cuts to the Foreign Aid budget and the remaining budget will be healthcare initiatives, inoculations against preventable diseases and clean water programmes provided by contracts with British companies.

Energy - UKIP will repeal the Climate Change Act, abolish subsidies to wind farms and solar arrays and encourage the extraction of shale gas. They also plan to scrap the Large Scale Combustion Directive which was introduced to reduce sulphur dioxide and other pollutants that adversely effect air quality. In addition to this they will scrap Department of Energy and Climate change.

Agriculture and Fishing - They will introduce a farm payment to replace the EU subsidies paid to farmers and they will reinstate British territorial waters and require non-British fishing vessels to purchase fishing permits.

Welfare and Childcare - UK wants to simplify the welfare system, support the benefit cap and pay child benefit only on the first two children.

Transport - UKIP will scrap the HS2 scheme, oppose tolls on public roads, keep pensioners bus passes and regulate the use of speed cameras. All non-British road users will have to buy a Britdisc to drive on British roads.

Housing and planning - UKIP will protect the green belt and encourage brownfield development and offer subsidies to clean up brownfield sites. Communities will be able to overturn large developments and hold local referendums if protest groups get the signatures of 5% or the local electors.

Democracy and the Constitution - UKIP will ensure that English MP's are the only ones that can vote on English issues and give powers to initiate national referendums on issues of public interest.

Law and Order - UKIP will opt out of all laws and agreements on human rights and all the arrangements about pan European crime and extradition that were made when we were members of the EU. They will replace them with new agreements and British Bill of Rights. In terms of sentencing anyone convicted of a crime will be expected to serve the full sentence of the court with parole only being given for good behaviour.

Culture - UKIP will scrap the Department of Culture and Media, while unifying British culture to any one that any one that identifies with British values. All official documents will published in English and Welsh and Scots Gaelic where appropriate and laws will be rigorously enforced on cultural practices that are un-British. Finally smoking ban will be lift in pubs and clubs with the introdution of smoking rooms.

Employment and Small Business - Firms will be encourage to employ British workers by discriminating against non-British workers and allow agency workers to work for lower pay than those doing the same job in the same company but on the company payroll.

So that is what they say in public on there website, but what they think in private like many other nationalist political parties is another thing, but some of that is already coming out, you just have look at some of the leadership to see that. It certainly has the man in the pub appeal but that is where it was probably thought out over pint and the odd trip to the smoking shelter and the loo. You can see why the are doing well most people born in the UK will find at least one thing they agree with.