Acts of Journalism (Part II)
Is It Still The Silly Season?
The summer months, when Parliament breaks up for its summer recess, are called the “Silly Season”. It is a time for the media, and people in general, to do silly things in the absence of serious matters. After Silly Season comes the Conference Season, there the major political parties, and the smaller ones, have their conferences.
This season was particularly interesting, with the two main opposition parties having the first speeches from their new leaders, and even Labour had a speech from heir-apparent Gordon Brown. But they were not the only leaders giving speeches, for UKIP has a new leader, Nigel Farage. And Nigel Farage spoke to the UKIP conference for the first time as Leader. Listening to his speech, one would think it was still the Silly Season.
It was a speech of populist sentiments. It was designed to stir the hearts of the aging UKIP membership, who yearn for “the good old days” (whenever they were) and gain new voters by making them sound reasonable. The trouble with populism is that it is not practical, a lesson which Mr. Farage is yet to have learnt.
The thing that looms largest about UKIP is their anti-EU sentiment. They detest the EU, they see it as the source of all our troubles, they see it as subjugating the British people, as bringing dirty hordes of horrible foreigners to our shores (a terrible thing in the view of Mr. Farage). As the epitome of the Little England mentality, they don’t like foreigners, never mind the fact that the NHS (an institution which they support) needs these people to function. Never mind the fact that they provide this country with vital services at affordable prices, leaving people with more money (another thing that UKIP like). What services? Well, how about the Polish builders that renovated former UKIP leader Roger Knapman’s home, the builders that could only work there thanks to an EU treaty?
While I’m on the subject of money, the UKIP tax policy makes for interesting reading. First of all, he wants to impose a flat tax of 33%. In his populist manner, he passes it off as a “tax cut”. Well, considering that the lowest rate of tax in this country is 10%, the basic rate 22%, this is hardly a “cut”. What it is, is a break for the richest in our society, and a tax increase for the poorest. In fact, under Farage’s tax system, everyone earning between £14,585 and £75,657 will pay more tax under Farage. So much for three quarters of the population paying less tax. Among those hardest hit by Farage’s tax plan will be young families and junior professionals, some of those that can least afford it. Good choice, Mr. Farage.
Mr. Farage’s main claim, though, was that his party had the support of “the majority” of British people, that most people supported his ridiculous EU policy, and his punitive taxation scheme. I have one question for Mr. Farage:
If the majority of the British people support you, why aren’t you in office yet?
[Originally published in the DC Voice]
The summer months, when Parliament breaks up for its summer recess, are called the “Silly Season”. It is a time for the media, and people in general, to do silly things in the absence of serious matters. After Silly Season comes the Conference Season, there the major political parties, and the smaller ones, have their conferences.
This season was particularly interesting, with the two main opposition parties having the first speeches from their new leaders, and even Labour had a speech from heir-apparent Gordon Brown. But they were not the only leaders giving speeches, for UKIP has a new leader, Nigel Farage. And Nigel Farage spoke to the UKIP conference for the first time as Leader. Listening to his speech, one would think it was still the Silly Season.
It was a speech of populist sentiments. It was designed to stir the hearts of the aging UKIP membership, who yearn for “the good old days” (whenever they were) and gain new voters by making them sound reasonable. The trouble with populism is that it is not practical, a lesson which Mr. Farage is yet to have learnt.
The thing that looms largest about UKIP is their anti-EU sentiment. They detest the EU, they see it as the source of all our troubles, they see it as subjugating the British people, as bringing dirty hordes of horrible foreigners to our shores (a terrible thing in the view of Mr. Farage). As the epitome of the Little England mentality, they don’t like foreigners, never mind the fact that the NHS (an institution which they support) needs these people to function. Never mind the fact that they provide this country with vital services at affordable prices, leaving people with more money (another thing that UKIP like). What services? Well, how about the Polish builders that renovated former UKIP leader Roger Knapman’s home, the builders that could only work there thanks to an EU treaty?
While I’m on the subject of money, the UKIP tax policy makes for interesting reading. First of all, he wants to impose a flat tax of 33%. In his populist manner, he passes it off as a “tax cut”. Well, considering that the lowest rate of tax in this country is 10%, the basic rate 22%, this is hardly a “cut”. What it is, is a break for the richest in our society, and a tax increase for the poorest. In fact, under Farage’s tax system, everyone earning between £14,585 and £75,657 will pay more tax under Farage. So much for three quarters of the population paying less tax. Among those hardest hit by Farage’s tax plan will be young families and junior professionals, some of those that can least afford it. Good choice, Mr. Farage.
Mr. Farage’s main claim, though, was that his party had the support of “the majority” of British people, that most people supported his ridiculous EU policy, and his punitive taxation scheme. I have one question for Mr. Farage:
If the majority of the British people support you, why aren’t you in office yet?
[Originally published in the DC Voice]
posted by CJM | 4:37 PM
3 Comments:
Before talking about Flat Tax you might want to consider this...
Flat Tax examined
That might help if my arguments were based on flat tax in principle, but they are, in fact, based on the specific proposal by UKIP, which provides for a 33% tax rate (which has the consequences outlined).
In that case I concede the high ground and bow in deference. Of course one should take a huge pinch on salt with each serving of the distinctly dodgy UKIP policy pie.
Thanks for the visit, do come again!
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