AS the EU gave a stage to one of the world’s most vile dictators, Robert Mugabe, at the Lisbon summit did you hear UK politicians decrying this invitation? Of course not; only one man spoke out against this racist leader. He isn’t a politician, but he is a man of great standing. I was proud to be British when I witnessed the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu cut up his dog collar on TV and pledge not to replace it until Mugabe was replaced. Well done Mr. Sentamu!
How apt that the world’s next great dictatorship, the EU, should invite one of the world’s worst dictators to tea. What’s that saying? Birds of a feather!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party’s Bradford chairman
Huddersfield Examiner, 28/12/07
Don’t accept plans
SIR - Regional minister Caroline Flint announced (T&A, December 13) that due to the need to build 55,000 new homes by 2026, some greenbelt sites have to be considered for destruction.
SIR - Regional minister Caroline Flint announced (T&A, December 13) that due to the need to build 55,000 new homes by 2026, some greenbelt sites have to be considered for destruction.
Her rationale for this is that families needed new homes and young people want to buy a home.
She says Bradford City Hall chiefs must hit the target of 2,700 homes every year set by the Regional Spatial Strategy.
There are a few things wrong with this picture. Firstly, how dare the unelected regional minister dictate to our elected officials of Bradford?
Some might question their competency, but they have been elected by us, while she was just appointed to fill some European regional strategy.
Her claims that people need homes would not be the case if we were not the immigration capital of Europe.
The Regional Spatial Strategy comes from the Regional Assembly, which the government has finally agreed to scrap as it doesn't work, so why then are they still making regional policy?
Again, I call on our "so called" leaders in City Hall to reject this regional strategy and save our green belt.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 28/12/07
DIFFERENT reports show the European Union is always low on the lists of priorities of most voters – perhaps as low as ninth. Ironically, almost all items more highly placed are dependent on the EU for resolution.
Even when this is not directly the case, shortfalls in public funding can be laid at its door.
As more than 70 per cent of legislation now originates in Brussels, how can the EU be in any place other than top for an informed electorate?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Yorkshire regional secretary, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford.
Yorkshire Post, 27/12/07
European cash boost for wealthy
MATTHEW Elliott, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, has stated that it is wrong that farm subsidies have "become a mechanism for transferring taxpayers' money from ordinary families to City millionaires".
He says: "The CAP was set up to ensure that poorer farmers had a minimum standard of living but now the system is being abused by wealthy individuals buying tracts of land to claim subsidies."
The Commn Agricultural Policy is just one more unacceptable face of the EU.
MATTHEW Elliott, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, has stated that it is wrong that farm subsidies have "become a mechanism for transferring taxpayers' money from ordinary families to City millionaires".
He says: "The CAP was set up to ensure that poorer farmers had a minimum standard of living but now the system is being abused by wealthy individuals buying tracts of land to claim subsidies."
The Commn Agricultural Policy is just one more unacceptable face of the EU.
Jason Smith, (Chairman, UK Independence Party, Bradford). Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Halifax Courier, 21/12/07
YOU would have thought with last week's disturbing revelation that the Government has managed to lose 25 million people's personal data, that they might be trying to reassure the public that they can be trusted with our personal information. So what is their latest proposal?
A leaked document suggests that NHS patients' data could be sent abroad for processing! Thankfully, GPs have spoken out against this ludicrous idea, rightly stating that they are worried that this could be a breach of confidentiality and that information could be processed in nations that place little value on data protection.
The Government could, of course, counter this by saying that our personal information is already processed in a nation that places little value on data protection.
In my view, it is only a matter of time before our Government succumbs to the cost benefits of outsourcing our data to another country – but at what cost to us?
Jason Smith, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford.
Yorkshire Post, 30/11/07
Going to extremes?
SIR - What a disgusting decision by the Sudanese government to charge teacher Gillian Gibbons over the so called "Teddy Row", it is quite clear than no offence was meant.
SIR - What a disgusting decision by the Sudanese government to charge teacher Gillian Gibbons over the so called "Teddy Row", it is quite clear than no offence was meant.
We are constantly assured by Muslim religious leaders in the UK that there is nothing to fear from their religion, but to people in this country it is looking increasingly like an "extremist" religion and, with episodes like this and the "cartoon" protests, who can blame them?
I am also disappointed by our Prime Minister's response to the decision; he claims he is "surprised and disappointed".
I'm afraid threatening to jail or whip someone for wrongly naming a teddy bear warrants stronger words.
Our government should demand this teacher's release, immediately!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 30/11/07
OUR PM claims, "the proper place to scrutinise (The EU Treaty) is in Parliament."
The man must surely know that Parliament cannot amend a European treaty; it must only accept or reject them.
There is no opportunity for ‘scrutiny’. Just whom is he trying to con?
JASON SMITH, Bradford
The Sun, 28/11/07
ONCE again, the people of this country are going to suffer from being governed by what must surly be the most incompetent set of politicians in living memory. The latest entry in to their catalogue of incompetence is the ability of our Government to lose 25 million people's personal details – that is every person in our country who claims child benefit.
You would think that data of this importance might have been encrypted in some way? Or possibly delivered by hand rather than relying on the post?
Let us remember what details are contained on this CD. They include our bank details, the names and ages of our children and our addresses. An early Christmas present for any criminal or paedophile.
Will you now all stand orderly in line and be measured up for your ID card and have your data input on an allegedly secure government database?
Just imagine for one moment if this data was your ID data, your bank details, medical history, a copy of your iris and your thumbprint? You would have lost your identity forever.
Jason Smith, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford.
Yorkshire Post, 23/11/07
A change of tune
SIR - Councillor Kris Hopkins is talking tough again on post office closures (T&A, November 12) trying to sell the fact that he is so concerned about this issue.
SIR - Councillor Kris Hopkins is talking tough again on post office closures (T&A, November 12) trying to sell the fact that he is so concerned about this issue.
I must confess, it has been rather amusing watching the old parties try to blame each other for this issue but it's time for some truth.
All the old parties are to blame for post office closures as they all supported the (EU) regulations that have seen its demise. It's no good jumping up and down now and pledging to save said post offices - none should be closing!
The sham of the old parties is becoming ever more apparent to the man in the street, their policies become ever more indistinguishable and intertwined as they continue to swap clothes.
When the man in the street tells you "all politicians are the same", he's not far wrong!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 15/11/07
Put the city first
SIR - As I very much doubt Elaine Neale will receive a reply from either of the old political parties to her question on whether they would like to "demolish or not demolish" the Odeon (T&A, November 8), I thought I would attempt to answer for them.
SIR - As I very much doubt Elaine Neale will receive a reply from either of the old political parties to her question on whether they would like to "demolish or not demolish" the Odeon (T&A, November 8), I thought I would attempt to answer for them.
Both New Labour and the New Conservatives would see the Odeon demolished, quite simply because their leaders sit on the Board of Bradford City Regeneration and BCR's strategy is to demolish the Odeon.
It seems the old parties' leaders now work for the regional regeneration body and not for the people of Bradford.
Don't just blame the old party leaders though, blame their feeble councillors who are afraid to speak out as they might lose favour with their respective party's hierarchy.
Isn't it about time we had some councillors who actually put the people before their own political ambitions?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 14/11/07
Protest dismay
SIR - I am dismayed, but not surprised, that some residents of Manningham have decided to protest against a local sex shop which sports a window display of mannequins dressed in lingerie (T&A, October 27) which, I might add, was approved by the Council's licensing panel.
SIR - I am dismayed, but not surprised, that some residents of Manningham have decided to protest against a local sex shop which sports a window display of mannequins dressed in lingerie (T&A, October 27) which, I might add, was approved by the Council's licensing panel.
Residents' protests obviously stem from the fact the mannequins offend their religious beliefs.
What they have failed to understand, though, is the fact that this kind of display is acceptable in our liberal society. Let us just hope the shop owner is not intimidated and forced to shut up shop.
People often ask me, what is the problem with multiculturalism?
Multiculturalism is the single biggest threat to a cohesive society in Bradford. Dealing with the problems of segregation is not going to be resolved by allowing minority groups to play by their own rules.
Let us hope our liberal society continues to reign over this religious dogma.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 06/11/07
Stand corrected!
SIR - I would like to thank Ian Parsons for the history lesson on referendums and the EU (T&A, October 24), but I would like to make one correction.
SIR - I would like to thank Ian Parsons for the history lesson on referendums and the EU (T&A, October 24), but I would like to make one correction.
Mr Parsons states, "Harold Wilson, in 1975, called a referendum on whether the UK should stay in the EU". The actual question was "Do you think the United Kingdom should stay in the European Community (The Common Market)?"
This was understood to be the "Common Market", a trading organisation; it was not understood to be full political union.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 02/11/07
To me democracy is where every person's voice is heard, not ignored like they are currently; where all people can have an input and attempt to shape their country, city or village.
To me everybody should have a right to have their say providing they are not inciting hatred. Even if I disagree with somebody's point of view, I would defend their right to air that view.
The only exception to this would be (and this is where I disagree with John Hall's Lib-Dems) that I do not believe prisoners should be able to vote in elections. Convicted criminals should lose that right.
Jason Smith (UK Independence Party, Bradford chairman), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 01/11/07
An EU approval?
SIR - Researchers said this week that Britain is one of the most welcoming countries in Europe for immigrants. This will not be news to most British people who are well aware of the popularity of the UK due to our generous benefits and housing system.
SIR - Researchers said this week that Britain is one of the most welcoming countries in Europe for immigrants. This will not be news to most British people who are well aware of the popularity of the UK due to our generous benefits and housing system.
The Tories' answer to this, announced at their national conference, was to limit the number of migrants who come from outside the EU.
This policy tells us many things about the new Tories. Firstly, they have absolutely no intention of limiting migrants from the EU, which is, at least at the moment, the largest contributor to our spiralling population. This in turn tells us that they are happy to let the EU continue to control our borders as they are, actually, happy to be a part of the EU.
Their party claims they want a vote on the EU "constitution" treaty, but it is clear if it became reality they would push for a "yes" vote to stay in the EU. The reality is, if they want to be a part of the EU, they will have no recourse but to sign the constitution.
Jason Smith (UK Independence Party Bradford chairman), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 25/10/07
Post goes private
SIR - Re Coun John Watmough's comments on post office closures (T&A October 22). He is right to say that the Government is hell-bent on closing post offices, but offers no reason why it would do this.
SIR - Re Coun John Watmough's comments on post office closures (T&A October 22). He is right to say that the Government is hell-bent on closing post offices, but offers no reason why it would do this.
Post office closures are a result of laws coming from the EU. Article 88 of the Amsterdam Treaty demands the Government seeks permission from the EU Commission to decide what state aid for postal services is allowed. The Government struck a deal in 2003 allowing them to provide £150 million to post offices each year. However, the cost of subsidising the service is £4 million per week, creating a shortfall of £58 million. This is the real reason for the closures.
Another subsequent directive (2002/39/EC) opened up the market to other players and imposed new regulations on sizing and weights of post, meaning that the Royal Mail could no longer afford to deliver packages, which it previously dealt with, driving the delivery of larger items into the hands of other private contractors. What we are seeing is the private contractors cherry-picking the best routes and small unprofitable post offices closing down.
Jason Smith (UK Independence Party Bradford chairman), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Telegraph & Argus, 24/10/07
What does this really mean to our democracy?
THOSE people out there who think that EU realists are making a great deal of fuss over some distant treaty should think again.
THOSE people out there who think that EU realists are making a great deal of fuss over some distant treaty should think again.
The treaty is "self-amending". Once in place, it can be changed without democratic reference. Please stop. Think. Ask yourself what that really means to democracy in this country.
Now, do you get it?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Halifax Courier, 15/10/07
Book of fiction
SIR - Brian Holmans does not believe ordinary people are being disenfranchised by the old parties and challenges me to provide some evidence of this (T&A, October 10).
SIR - Brian Holmans does not believe ordinary people are being disenfranchised by the old parties and challenges me to provide some evidence of this (T&A, October 10).
Let's see, well there was a decision to go to war with Iraq. It is estimated some two million ordinary people marched against the war, and polls agreed the majority of the population didn't support this attack. The Government and opposition failed to consider the will of the people.
More than one million people signed a Downing Street petition against road pricing. They have all been ignored as the government drives the policy forward.
The Government called a referendum on the North East Regional Assembly. The result was a resounding no' (77.9 per cent), but the Government proceeded to cancel the other proposed referendums, including the one in Yorkshire, and carry on regardless with the undemocratic assemblies.
Finally we have the latest affront to democracy when the government reneged on its promise to give the people a referendum on the EU Constitution/Treaty, a pledge in that Labour book of fiction, their manifesto!
How's that for starters Mr Holmans?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 14/10/07
The threat to our precious green belt
SIR - I found the announcement of 50,000 new homes in Bradford by 2026 quite shocking (T&A, September 28) and wondered where are all these houses were going to be built.
SIR - I found the announcement of 50,000 new homes in Bradford by 2026 quite shocking (T&A, September 28) and wondered where are all these houses were going to be built.
According to reports, it seems reviews of the green belt may be required'! So it seems we are to see our precious green belt concreted over to make way for new homes.
These plans have been drawn up by our unelected regional government, which claims Bradford has an edge over other cities in that we have one of the fastest-growing populations of any major city in the UK'.
I for one do not think that is a good thing. It might be good for fat-cat employers who want to employ cheap labour, but it is not good for the average Joe who sees public services continue to decline due to over-demand and our green areas replaced with high-rise flats.
The Council's environment and culture executive Coun Anne Hawkesworth is apparently shocked by this regional green belt grab. Will she speak out against this or continue to cower in City Hall with the rest of the councillors?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 12/10/07
Naval concern
SIR - A leaked document from the MOD has proposed the decommissioning of five Royal Navy warships due to Treasury spending cuts. The document goes on to say that the cuts would: reduce the Royal Navy's capabilities to just one small-scale operation'.
SIR - A leaked document from the MOD has proposed the decommissioning of five Royal Navy warships due to Treasury spending cuts. The document goes on to say that the cuts would: reduce the Royal Navy's capabilities to just one small-scale operation'.
Whether this actually comes to pass, we will have to wait and see, but the fact that this is being considered is serious cause for concern. Is our government really willing to compromise our country's safety by downsizing our naval capability?
I would also like to know why there are such tight spending limits' on our military while at the same time we are ploughing billions of pounds a year into a EU bureaucracy which benefits nobody in this country.
Could it be our government is downsizing our military so it can be more easily integrated into the new EU army?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 11/10/07
Hidden reasons?
SIR - Telephone companies must now keep information of all citizens' phone calls made on either landlines or mobiles.
SIR - Telephone companies must now keep information of all citizens' phone calls made on either landlines or mobiles.
This information would be made available to 652 bodies, including the Gaming Board and the Food Standards Agency.
The Government's excuse for their latest freedom grab is, of course, 'terrorism'. We are apparently fighting terrorism to protect our freedoms, yet this and other draconian legislation serves only to destroy the very freedoms we are trying to protect.
Does the Government think if we destroy our freedoms for the terrorists they will no longer have a reason to attack us?
Or is it the case that the Government are being forced to accept this legislation by a higher power?
After all a Home Office spokesman has stated that the law followed a directive from the EU.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 09/10/07
A LEAKED document from the MoD has proposed the decommissioning of five Royal Navy warships due to Treasury spending cuts.
Why are there such tight spending limits on the military while at the same time we are ploughing billions of pounds a year into an EU bureaucracy which benefits nobody in this country?
JASON SMITH, Bradford, W Yorks
The Sun, 08/10/07
THE Spanish socialist MEP Josep Borrell, a former President of the EU Parliament in Brussels, recently stated:
"We are many and with many different visions of the world, so our will is not unanimous and the political project is yet to be defined." He added that "you cannot grow from six to 27 with impunity". He also claimed that the EU project is "too big and too diverse".
Well, if that is what the europhiles are admitting, now is the time to get out!
Jason Smith, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford.
Yorkshire Post, 08/10/07
Own agendas
SIR - I am not one to shout 'conspiracy theory' too often as I might find myself in some rather undesirable company.
SIR - I am not one to shout 'conspiracy theory' too often as I might find myself in some rather undesirable company.
Even so, I have been reflecting on the way in which so often the people of our nation have been disenfranchised and across such a wide variety of issues.
I shall not even mention these issues by name but ask readers to reflect on the things which matter to them and ask themselves whether any of the three main parties has taken their views or the majority view into account.
There is too much evidence that the main parties are working to their own agendas and the plebs can 'go hang'.
Little wonder so many are now looking to parties such as the UKIP.
The danger remains, however, that the undiscerning may turn to extremes.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 03/10/07
Conspiracy theory
I AM not one to shout “conspiracy theory” too often. But I have been reflecting on the way the people of our nation have been disenfranchised and across such a wide variety of issues.
I shall ask ECHO readers to reflect on the things which matter to them and ask themselves whether any of the three main parties has taken their views into account.
There is too much evidence that the main parties are working to their own agendas. Little wonder so many are now looking to parties such as UKIP.
Jason Smith, address supplied
I AM not one to shout “conspiracy theory” too often. But I have been reflecting on the way the people of our nation have been disenfranchised and across such a wide variety of issues.
I shall ask ECHO readers to reflect on the things which matter to them and ask themselves whether any of the three main parties has taken their views into account.
There is too much evidence that the main parties are working to their own agendas. Little wonder so many are now looking to parties such as UKIP.
Jason Smith, address supplied
Liverpool Echo, 02/10/07
An EU mystery
SIR - Mr Rajput of the Labour Movement for Europe claims (T&A, September 24) that there will be no referendum on the EU constitution as there will not be a constitution'.
SIR - Mr Rajput of the Labour Movement for Europe claims (T&A, September 24) that there will be no referendum on the EU constitution as there will not be a constitution'.
Why, I wonder then, did German Chancellor Angela Merkel say on June 29, with regard to the new treaty:' "The substance of the constitution is preserved. That is fact"?
Why did Spanish Prime Minister Jose Zapatero say on June 27: "We have not let a single substantial point of the constitutional treaty go. It is, without doubt much more than a treaty"?
Why did Czech Republic president Vaclav Klaus say on June 13: "Only cosmetic changes have been made and the basic document remains the same"?
In fact, this is one of the rare occasions where all but one European country, the UK, have concluded that the latest EU treaty is essentially the same animal as the EU constitution.
This begs the question, are all the other European countries' spokesmen wrong or is it that Labour are circulating disinformation?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 02/10/07
Petition support
SIR - Regeneration chiefs have claimed our calls for a referendum on the Odeon's future are "inappropriate" (T&A, September 5)?
SIR - Regeneration chiefs have claimed our calls for a referendum on the Odeon's future are "inappropriate" (T&A, September 5)?
Our suggestion would of course be unsuitable for those un-elected regeneration chiefs, as it is clear they have already decided the Odeon's future, which includes it being replaced with office blocks and flats.
Unlike the degeneration' chiefs, who I suspect rarely visit Bradford, I work in the town centre and I can tell you there is an abundance of empty office blocks and flats here and, even if we did need them, then surely the prime location of the Odeon is the last place they should be built.
Councillor Andrew Mallinson then states the future of the Odeon will be decided through an open debate. Well, I wouldn't hold my breath on that one, considering the sort of debate we've had so far - a debate which has excluded any mention of the restoration of the Odeon.
If we are to influence BCR and the council, we must stand together. I urge everybody who supports our call to sign our online petition at: www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-our-odeon/sign.html
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 01/10/07
Policy hypocrisy?
SIR - Liberal Democrat Councillor John Cole (T&A, September 21) claims the "Liberal Democrats remain committed to devolving the detailed decisions on public service priorities to a more local level."
SIR - Liberal Democrat Councillor John Cole (T&A, September 21) claims the "Liberal Democrats remain committed to devolving the detailed decisions on public service priorities to a more local level."
Not a bad idea, in fact our party advocates devolving national powers locally to help connect people to the political process and bring democracy back to the people.
What I find astounding though, is the Lib Dems advocating devolving powers when at the same time they are supporting handing over yet more powers to the EU, a parliament that is based in Brussels and is both remote and unaccountable to the UK.
How can Councillor Cole support devolving powers while at the same time support the European Union, which will achieve totally the opposite - that being centralisation?
The Lib Dems' consistency only occurs in their consistency to produce totally inconsistent policies.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 29/09/07
SIR, I would imagine Bulgaria is regretting the day they joined the EU. As a result of a EU law, a German immigrant has won a high court battle in Bulgaria, stating he can claim the same unemployment benefits in Bulgaria that he would have been paid in Germany.
The German immigrant is entitled to the Euro equivalent of £397, quite an insult to hard working Bulgarian's with their average wage of £140 a month. Bulgaria has already lost a good portion of its skilled workers to countries such as the UK, and with the latest announcement you can expect many families on benefits might flock to Bulgaria.
I mean why not, they would be living the good life with the countries low standards of living and their benefits at UK prices! As part of the EU, Bulgaria and other poorer EU countries can do nothing about this injustice.
People claim that the EU's "HARMonisation" of laws is a good thing for the poorer countries, I'm sure Bulgaria and other poorer countries would not agree!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 24/09/07
Cracks showing?
SIR - Finally the EU has backed down after a long battle with us over weights and measures (T&A, September 12). The EU commissioner called it a "pointless battle". Of course it was a pointless battle, so why then were he and the EU trying to beat the UK government into submission for years?
SIR - Finally the EU has backed down after a long battle with us over weights and measures (T&A, September 12). The EU commissioner called it a "pointless battle". Of course it was a pointless battle, so why then were he and the EU trying to beat the UK government into submission for years?
With the proposed abolition of the EU Regional Assemblies and our victory to keep our weights and measures, are we seeing the beginning of the end of the EU's dominance over the UK?
Or maybe the EU is just prepared to sit back and rally their troops, Brown, (Ming) Campbell and Cameron, ready for the final battle to railroad through the EU treaty.
Let's not let the EU and their puppets decide our country's future, let us put pressure on the old parties' councillors and MPs and demand a referendum on our country's future!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 20/09/07
Worthless jury
SIR - Last week Gordon Brown attended his first Citizens Jury, announcing he would listen more to public opinion.
SIR - Last week Gordon Brown attended his first Citizens Jury, announcing he would listen more to public opinion.
Does this mean he will now be listening to the call of two-thirds of the population for a referendum on the EU Constitution' treaty?
Or are his citizens' juries just going to be another Labour talking shop where all the sheep bleat along to the same beat?
He also said: "The days of policy drawn up in an office in Whitehall are over". Mr Brown does not know how true that statement is, as currently 90 per cent of our laws are drawn up in Brussels and following our signing of the EU Constitution' treaty it will be true that, no more policy will ever be drawn up in Whitehall!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 17/09/07
Threat to liberty.
SIR - I find myself agreeing entirely with the president of the Liberal Party, Councillor Steve Radford, on the subject of ID cards (T&A, August 21), namely their huge costs and potential to further erode our civil liberties.
SIR - I find myself agreeing entirely with the president of the Liberal Party, Councillor Steve Radford, on the subject of ID cards (T&A, August 21), namely their huge costs and potential to further erode our civil liberties.
New Labour's stance on ID cards is very clear; they are committed to this scheme although they have failed to come up with any tangible benefits for them.
The other two old parties' stance is less clear. They claim to be against ID, both wheel out their passionate libertarians to say no to ID, but fail to tell anyone the project is not a national project at all, but a European (EU) scheme.
Could it be the Tories and Lib-Dems are sincere in their opposition to ID cards and just disagree with their party policy on the EU, or could be that they are trying to deceive.
Either way, as pro-EU parties, they are not permitted to oppose the scheme.
It is now becoming clear individual liberty cannot exist in a country governed by the EU.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 12/09/07
Tories’ deceit
SIR - I think the dangers of our EU membership and the impending constitution treaty has brought out a very good, and much-needed debate in these pages and I am heartened by the honesty of various individuals.
SIR - I think the dangers of our EU membership and the impending constitution treaty has brought out a very good, and much-needed debate in these pages and I am heartened by the honesty of various individuals.
One such individual is Karl Dallas (T&A, August 30), who correctly stated that deporting EU nationals is nothing to do with the Human Rights Act, as the Tory hierarchy were peddling, and everything to do with our EU membership.
When, I wonder, are people going to wake up to the fact that the Tory party is deceiving them?
Remember Mr Cameron's leadership election pledge to leave the pro-EU EPP (European People's Party)? Well that hasn't happened, but we've heard it might happen just after the European elections. Wouldn't that be convenient?
Mr Dallas then asks if we should all therefore vote UKIP? He suggests not unless they declare our independence from the US.
I have some good news for Mr Dallas, our policy is for 'independence', and in fact the clue is in our name. We want to be good friends with Europe and the US, but not run by either.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 08/09/07
UKIP wants Odeon referendum
By Newsdesk
The UK Independence Party has called for a referendum on the future of Bradford's former Odeon cinema.
By Newsdesk
The UK Independence Party has called for a referendum on the future of Bradford's former Odeon cinema.
The call has been welcomed by campaigners opposed to plans to demolish the building and replace it with the New Victoria Place, a £55 million mixed-use development.
Regeneration chiefs say a referendum would be inappropriate, the public has already been consulted and will have another chance to voice opinions when a planning application is submitted.
Jason Smith, district spokesman for UKIP, said: "The future of the Odeon is of great concern to the people of Bradford, as was apparent by the great turn-out at the recent Hug the Odeon' event.
"If we are to regenerate Bradford, then I believe the Odeon would be an excellent place to start. A restored Odeon could become, for example, a regional concert hall or arts centre.
"I would call on the people of Bradford to support our call for a referendum."
The demand prompted a joint statement from Bradford Centre Regeneration - which is spearheading development on the site - and Yorkshire Forward, which bought it for about £2m in 2003.
They said: "New Victoria Place will create a stunning new landmark for Bradford, creating jobs and investment, attracting new visitors to the city and providing the leisure and office facilities needed to successfully revitalise the city.
"The Odeon building closed in 2000 because it had proven to be economically unviable as a cinema, bingo hall and as a concert venue and it has remained unoccupied ever since. "
They said many proposed uses for the Odeon had been considered but none looked at keeping the building.
Councillor Andrew Mallinson, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, said: "The future of the Odeon will now be decided through an open public planning application where people will be once again allowed to voice their concerns.
Telegraph & Argus, 04/09/07
No gold stars?
SIR - I must congratulate Councillor Cooke for his support for a EU referendum (T&A, August 25). It seems he agrees that the "treaty" hands over yet more powers to the European Union.
SIR - I must congratulate Councillor Cooke for his support for a EU referendum (T&A, August 25). It seems he agrees that the "treaty" hands over yet more powers to the European Union.
Unfortunately this is not the stance of Coun Cooke's party as his leader, Mr Cameron has stated on many occasions he very much believes in the EU and wants to be at the very heart of the super-state. He even has stated no EU-sceptic politician may serve on his front bench, and when one of his MPs had the audacity to ask a question on the EU, he was slapped down and reminded that all the three old parties had made a pledge not to discuss the EU.
This is the new Tory Party. When they re-coloured their logo blue, I think they forgot to add the gold stars!
Jason Smith (UKIP Bradford & District chairman), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 04/09/07
Euro treaties are just unreadable
IT has been suggested by the terminally naive that a copy of the EU Treaty should be sent to every household so that, in the unlikely event of a democratic referendum, people will know what they are voting for and against.
IT has been suggested by the terminally naive that a copy of the EU Treaty should be sent to every household so that, in the unlikely event of a democratic referendum, people will know what they are voting for and against.
The EU has already acted to counter this by simply showing large numbers of amendments to existing treaties as the main text of the treaty, deviously failing to show the text of what will be altered.
This has the effect of making it unreadable.
Jason Smith, (Chairman, UKIP, Bradford and District), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Halifax Courier, 03/09/07
Veto under threat
THE British veto, which has, to a small extent, protected us from EU tyranny in the past, has been eroded over the years with successive Governments casting away vital safety mechanisms.
THE British veto, which has, to a small extent, protected us from EU tyranny in the past, has been eroded over the years with successive Governments casting away vital safety mechanisms.
Ever the Europhile, Tony Blair seemed hell bent on systematically removing it altogether.
When we only have, roughly, an 8 per cent, say, in the EU Parliament, these protections are critical. I wonder how many people are aware that the new treaty is designed to further reduce our democratic voice?
Sport, transport, energy, space policy, science and the EU budget are some of the additional areas to be lost for all time.
Remember the EU system: once a power has been taken it will never be returned.
Jason Smith, (chairman, UK Independence Party, Bradford and District), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Halifax Courier, 30/08/07
Not always better
SIR - I feel I must correct Geoff Tasker (T&A, August 20) who has badly misquoted me.
SIR - I feel I must correct Geoff Tasker (T&A, August 20) who has badly misquoted me.
I certainly did not say "the immigrants are a problem" but rather "immigration is a problem". There is a very real difference.
I do not blame any immigrants for wanting a better life for themselves and their families.
I do, however, blame our Government for allowing unlimited immigration and for the subsequent burden on our public services.
People always assume that all immigrants settling in the UK will receive a better life.
This is not always the case, as many times immigrants have trouble finding work and out of desperation are pulled in to the world of drugs and crime.
Mr Tasker has also managed to misinterpret some comments I made on the Odeon.
He claims I blame New Labour for its demise.
If blame is to be levelled then it should be at Bradford Centre Regeneration which has failed to listen to anyone and has circulated disinformation on the building from the start.
Looking at the current state of our city, Bradford Centre Degeneration would be a more apt name!
Jason Smith (UKIP Bradford & District chairman), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Telegraph & Argus, 29/08/07
Missing the point
SIR - Christopher Kirby (T&A, August 23) seems to have missed the point when I congratulated Gordon Brown on his impending General Election victory. This was in no way an endorsement of New Labour, and indeed I have said on many occasions that I believe Tony Blair and his government to be the most destructive government in our history. The congratulations statement was in response to the Tories' inability to form any kind of coherent opposition; they are effectively handing the victory to Brown.
SIR - Christopher Kirby (T&A, August 23) seems to have missed the point when I congratulated Gordon Brown on his impending General Election victory. This was in no way an endorsement of New Labour, and indeed I have said on many occasions that I believe Tony Blair and his government to be the most destructive government in our history. The congratulations statement was in response to the Tories' inability to form any kind of coherent opposition; they are effectively handing the victory to Brown.
Mr Kirby wants me to think about real issues. Well of course, not having an opposition party is a very real issue, but he will find, if he cares to look, that I do constantly talk about real issues, everything from fortnightly refuse collections to saving the Odeon.
I will speak out on any issue, controversial or not, as, unlike the old parties, I am not gagged by political correctness. Of course, it is true that New Labour has ripped the heart out of our nation.
That is precisely why my colleagues and myself constantly uncover and speak the truth, as no other party has the guts nor will to do it!
Jason Smith (UKIP Bradford & District chairman), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Telegraph & Argus, 28/08/07
Sir, I am amazed, that Owais Rajput is amazed that people want a referendum on the EU ‘Constitution’ Treaty! (T&A, August 23).
The Bradford representative of the Labour Movement for Europe suggests that people would be better having referendums on, for example Iraq.
Well, of course that would have been a good idea but it was not on the table at the time was it?
Could the peoples desire for a referendum have anything to do with the fact that the EU treaty is, according to EU leaders, almost identical to the EU Constitution, which was soundly rejected by the French and Dutch people?
Could the reason be that the new ‘treaty’ will see our loss of another 63 vetoes?
Could it be that our people would prefer to be governed by a British government?
The call for a referendum is growing with several Labour backbenchers now been joined by four trade unions demanding we have a vote on this important constitutional treaty.
If Mr Rajput’s party are so convinced that assimilation in to the EU state is the way forward, then why not put it to the people? After all that’s what his party promised in their last manifesto!
Telegraph & Argus, 27/08/07
Good ideas, but..
SIR - I must correct Mr Eric Firth (T&A, August 16) when he claims the Tories are moving back to the right.
SIR - I must correct Mr Eric Firth (T&A, August 16) when he claims the Tories are moving back to the right.
The Conservative group have not suggested tax cuts, but rather a cut in red tape which will save business money, a tax cut of sorts for 'business'.
They are also proposing to opt out of certain EU legislation that will help business function.
Good ideas, all immaterial though as David Cameron is not going to buy it. He will instead continue on his green socialist agenda, trying to appeal to the voters like Mr Firth.
Even if there were a will in the Tory party to do this the EU would not allow it.
I would also like to clear up another incorrect assumption from Mr Firth that "EU treaty is hated by the big bosses and city fat cats".
The EU is essentially run via large multinational companies who use their great lobbying power to shape EU policy via the unelected EU Commission.
Mr Firth ends with the statement "The treaty is good for us and bad for the powerful".
By good for us he is presumably meaning the loss of our sovereignty, democracy and £115 million per day.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 20/08/07
Lone voice on Europe
IF Labour MP Gisela Stewart can recognise the multitudes of dangers in the new EU treaty why is she such a lone voice?
IF Labour MP Gisela Stewart can recognise the multitudes of dangers in the new EU treaty why is she such a lone voice?
Either most MPs across the parties, in deeply sinister fashion, wish to conceal the information – or they are too stupid to recognise what is going on.
Jason Smith. (Chairman, UKIP, Bradford and District), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Halifax Courier, 20/08/07
Connection clear
SIR - Stuart Baker does not believe the EU has any hand in the Yorkshire & Humber Regional Assembly (T&A, August 14).
SIR - Stuart Baker does not believe the EU has any hand in the Yorkshire & Humber Regional Assembly (T&A, August 14).
Well why, I wonder, does our Regional Assembly have an office in Brussels?
The assembly's primary role is to facilitate communication between the EU and our region. Our assembly's Brussels office's website states one of it's aims is to: "Raise the profile of Yorkshire and Humber in Europe".
The connection is very clear, although you cannot blame Mr Baker for being misinformed as our Government is not particularly forthcoming with regard to details on Regional Assemblies, mainly because this would lead to other difficult' questions, for instance why are the regions dealing directly with the EU?
Our Government is not ready to admit that they are essentially a powerless admin office.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 18/08/07
Tories are looking blue...
LAST week we saw the New Tories attempt to appease their traditional supporters.
LAST week we saw the New Tories attempt to appease their traditional supporters.
No, it wasn't an announcement about cutting tax and it wasn't a tough new policy on crime. It was (drum roll …) a new colour for the logo. A blue scribbled tree has replaced the previous green scribbled tree.
I would have said that Dave Cameron had lost the plot but I don't think he had it in the first place.
I'd like to congratulate Gordon Brown on his impending General Election victory!
Jason Smith, (Chairman, UK Independence Party, Bradford and District), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Halifax Courier, 15/08/07
I am well aware houses are beyond the reach of people on an average salary.
This is all the more reason to limit immigration, which has created the over demand on housing and in turn created the increase in their prices.
Mr Holmans criticises my condemnation of the Government's policy of mixing private and council housing. I never claimed people who rented properties were neither decent nor hardworking.
I was objecting to the principle of flats where some were sold privately and some were given to non-working council tenants who lived on benefits.
Why should a hard-working family, who are mortgaged up to the hilt, live in an identical property next door to a family who live off benefits? Just what is the incentive for the working family to work?
As the working family are essentially paying for the upkeep of their neighbours through their taxes, they might as well pay their neighbours rent every week, essentially cutting out the middleman!
As a council tenant, they would also have the benefit of free house renovation, which the working family wouldn't be entitled to. How unfair!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 15/08/07
We will go on
SIR - I thank Peter Wilson for his advice (T&A, August 8), but we will not be following Homer Simpson's "If at first you don't succeed, give up!"
SIR - I thank Peter Wilson for his advice (T&A, August 8), but we will not be following Homer Simpson's "If at first you don't succeed, give up!"
Mr Wilson may not rate our candidates, but the difference is I know them and I can say, certainly in Bradford, all of our candidates are decent hard working 'real' people.
We are not career politicians like the old parties. We are not afraid to speak out when we see our country and our people being threatened.
We are people who are tired of politicians who constantly lie and are out only for political and financial gain. We are tired of being dictated to. We are tired of scroungers and minority groups getting preferential treatment while decent hard working people struggle to make ends meet.
Unfortunately for Mr Wilson, we will not quit, as it's not about us, it's about our country and our people.
British people are unaccustomed to change, but I believe our message will find favour with them and they will give us a chance to speak for them.
Remember Britain wasn't destroyed in a day; it's taken successive governments many decades to achieve that.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 13/08/07
My point was that the Civil Contingencies Act and Hitler's Enabling Act afford the respective governments the same powers.
I did not say our Government had yet activated this act. That is still to come.
It's hardly surprising that the Greens are not concerned with threats to our liberty.
After all they, along with the former Libertarians the Lib Dems, now bow down to Europe's biggest dictator, the EU.
Let's let the Greens concentrate on their carbon footprints while we get on with the job of protecting our freedoms!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 11/08/07
Only ‘soundbites’
SIR - Alan Chapman congratulates David Cameron (T&A, August 7) for coming out with a few good sound bites.
SIR - Alan Chapman congratulates David Cameron (T&A, August 7) for coming out with a few good sound bites.
But I'm afraid that's all they were, including: "Schools should be places where the kids respect and even fear the teachers, not the other way round."
Of course, nobody would disagree with that comment, but what would Cameron do? He would scrap council education appeals panels.
It was only the other month that he was telling us we should "love louts" and "hug huddies". We need real discipline back in our society, not cuddling criminals.
Give teachers real powers to discipline children, opt out of the European Human Rights Act if necessary.
Mr Cameron is certainly not living in the real world. It's hardly surprising though as he is estimated to be worth £30 million so would not have had to deal with the stresses and strains of normal life.
Cameron is a great-great-great-great-great grandson of William IV and one of his hobbies is shooting stag at his step father-in-law's 20,000 acre estate in Scotland.
How much more out of touch can you get?
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 09/08/07
How unusual
SIR - I find myself in a very unusual position, in that I agree with a Council decision!
SIR - I find myself in a very unusual position, in that I agree with a Council decision!
The Council has somehow stumbled upon a correct decision, with regard to a Bradford sex shop being allowed to have a provocative window display' (T&A, July 27).
Let us be clear what the provocative window display is, it is lingerie on mannequins. To me that is perfectly acceptable, if that is the display we are talking about.
The Lib-Dem and Labour councillors are claiming the objections are to protect children in the community, but it seems to me that the objections are based on the resident's religious beliefs.
If this application were overturned would we be seeing the residents also objecting to billboard adverts of semi-naked women?
We have always had a liberal society and we don't want to get to a situation where religious groups are dictating to us.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 04/08/07
SIR - Housing Minister Yvette Cooper proposed the three million homes Gordon Brown has pledged to build should be a mixture of private, social and council houses.
She wants homes where passers-by "can't tell what kind of housing it is".
What a slap in the face for decent hard-working people who might buy a flat, only to find that living next door is a family on benefits who have never worked a day in their lives.
This is how Labour would have our cities, where working hard and trying to better yourself brings no benefit.
I couldn't disagree more with the Minister. If more council houses have to be built, they should be high-rise flats in town centre areas, not plush semi-detached properties with huge gardens in the leafy suburbs.
The Government should be encouraging people to better themselves and to take up work, not rewarding them for not working by giving them a magnificent property in an upper-class area.
This is I'm afraid another feeble attempt by Labour to woo back the 'council estate' vote.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 03/08/07
WHY should we use the term “honour killing” to describe the murder of Banaz Mahmod?
There is nothing honourable about torturing, sexually abusing and killing somebody. At least not in our culture.
JASON SMITH, Bradford, West Yorks
The Sun, 02/08/07
Not easy
SIR - Peter Wilson has challenged me to comment on UKIP's recent by-election results (T&A, July 26).
SIR - Peter Wilson has challenged me to comment on UKIP's recent by-election results (T&A, July 26).
Sedgefield and Ealing South were never going to be easy for UKIP in Labour strongholds.
We did have good candidates; in Sedgefield for instance our man was Toby Horton, a former constituency chairman for William Hague in Richmond.
In contrast, in the Bromley by-election in June 2006 we came third out of eleven candidates beating New Labour in to fourth place. Not too bad for a small young party I reckon.
I have to say, we have never said, as Mr Wilson claims, that the EU is "a continent-wide conspiracy whose sole purpose is the destruction of the UK".
It is not only about the UK, all other European countries are in the same boat' in so much as they are worried about the destruction of their democracy and traditions as the EU forges ahead with it's policies of European HARMonisation.
I would suggest it is Mr Wilson who is deluded if he believes the EU is a benevolent force.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 02/08/07
Impossible task
SIR - I was quite shocked to read Councillor Cooke's attack on doctors (T&A, July 26).
SIR - I was quite shocked to read Councillor Cooke's attack on doctors (T&A, July 26).
The almost impossible task of receiving a doctors' appointment and having surgeries open when working people can visit them are very real problems.
In fact, our manifesto suggested surgeries should open in the evenings and weekends to accommodate working people.
I do not agree though that the blame should be levelled at doctors, who in most instances I have found to be very competent and attentive, while often working long hours.
The telephone or 'sit and wait' lottery of receiving an appointment is primarily because surgeries are over subscribed. Let's be honest, all those immigrant workers we allegedly need still need doctors. This is the real reason, but of course you can't say that as a New Tory can you?
I suggest Mr Cooke stops blaming doctors, and instead uses his influence as a councillor to make a difference.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 01/08/07
What do we do?
SIR - Councillor Ralph Berry agrees that the pressure to deal with the Odeon can "only be a good thing" (T&A, July 20) yet he does not say how he would 'deal' with the Odeon.
SIR - Councillor Ralph Berry agrees that the pressure to deal with the Odeon can "only be a good thing" (T&A, July 20) yet he does not say how he would 'deal' with the Odeon.
Although it is clear where New Labour stand on the subject, that is, right behind the Odeon's demolition!
He then wonders why attention is focused upon councillors Ward and Sunderland. Could it be because they are doing what councillors are elected to do, speak for the people?
Maybe New Labour should try that sometime. I remember back when the 'real' Labour party existed, love them or hate them you had to respect their principles, they used to speak up for the people.
Now they are just a group of 'follow my leader' sheep like their sister party Blue Labour (Tories).
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 31/07/07
End of influence
SIR - In reply to Stuart Baker (T&A, July 26), Mr Baker believes in his gullible New Labour way that the Government's decision to abolish the Yorkshire Regional Assembly had nothing to do with UKIP's campaigning against it.
SIR - In reply to Stuart Baker (T&A, July 26), Mr Baker believes in his gullible New Labour way that the Government's decision to abolish the Yorkshire Regional Assembly had nothing to do with UKIP's campaigning against it.
Does he really think the Government would have dropped one of their flagship policies without massive pressure? And there wasn't any from the mute old parties. The Regional Assemblies were the brainchild of John Prescott, and ever since their inception our party has been uncovering its many shortcomings and raising public awareness of the Assembly's increasing powers.
People have rightfully been 'up in arms' about the assembly's massive powers, wielded by unelected members, and the fact that millions of pounds of our taxes has been spent to fund it!
Now Mr Prescott has secured a cushy job in the EU, with all the other failed politicians, maybe we can finally see an end to the EU's influence in Yorkshire.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 30/07/07
Reports should tell it like it is
ON JULY 19 two deranged gentleman were found guilty of an "honour killing" the details of which are far too disgusting to mention, but needless to say they both got life.
This incident was incredibly shocking but the reporting of it seemed to make light of the murder.
ON JULY 19 two deranged gentleman were found guilty of an "honour killing" the details of which are far too disgusting to mention, but needless to say they both got life.
This incident was incredibly shocking but the reporting of it seemed to make light of the murder.
Why are we using the term "honour killing"? There is nothing honourable about torturing, sexually abusing and killing somebody. At least not in our culture, the correct term is murder!
The report stated these men received "life" imprisonment. The sentences were not mentioned but I suspect we would be looking at about 20 to 30 years. How many people have a life expectancy of that long?
In many reports such as these the perpetrators are described as "Asian".
I wonder is this helpful? After all Asia is a massive continent covering many countries and many religions.
Is it fair to lump the very different Chinese, Japanese, Pakistani and Indian people together in this way?
In fact the term "Asian" is becoming very unpopular particularly in Indian circles that would prefer either "Hindu" or "Indian".
Let's say no to politically correct reporting and tell it like it is!
JASON SMITH, UKIP Bradford and District Chairman
Spenborough Guardian, 27/07/07
I would advocate a zero tolerance policy against criminals but I do not believe handing Tasers to every police officer is the answer to policing.
Of course, under extreme circumstances, at the hands of trained officers, there could be an argument for their use but we do not want to see these weapons used routinely as they have been in the US.
I remember when the issue of Tasers first reared its head in the UK, it was at the G8 summit where it was reported Scottish police would have these weapons at their disposal against protesters.
The fear is that these weapons will not be used solely on criminals brandishing swords and machetes but on protesters brandishing banners.
Another part of the debate that has been widely overlooked is the justification for Tasers in the first place. The police state they need an extra level of protection, but I wonder would this be necessary if we put violent offenders in prison instead of leaving them on the streets.
The best way to shock criminals would be to put them in prison.
Jason Smith, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford.
Yorkshire Post, 26/07/07
WHERE did it say "We will put it (the proposed EU constitution] to the British people in a referendum."?
The Labour Party Manifesto 2005. Such a long time ago, so easy to forget. Perhaps we should remind Gordon Brown of this promise.
Or maybe current thinking is: the treaty is only about 98 per cent the same, so we don't need to keep the promise.
Jason Smith (United Kingdom Independence Party, Bradford and District) Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Halifax Courier, 26/07/07
Wires crossed
SIR - Eric Firth has, not for the first time, got his wires crossed with regard to my comments on the reasons for the population rise in Bradford (T&A, July 23).
SIR - Eric Firth has, not for the first time, got his wires crossed with regard to my comments on the reasons for the population rise in Bradford (T&A, July 23).
I did not claim it was solely the fault of the EU. I also cited the fact that there were higher than average population rises in certain areas of our city which are also fuelling the housing crisis.
Mr Firth is correct that in the past Bradford and many other cites were swamped by cheap labour from the Commonwealth for the expanding mills.
The idea of granting thousands of workers citizenship in Britain was not a good idea then and it is not a good idea now.
Contrary to what Mr Firth thinks, the biggest contributor to our spiralling population is currently the EU, with immigration from the super states countries standing at 500,000 per annum.
In Mr Firth's Britain, which is alien to most of us, we are apparently run from the US which is quite strange because we are in the process of signing up to become a member state of the European Union not the United States!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 26/07/07
Pledges kept
SIR - People have claimed UKIP's local election results were poor in our first major local election outing.
SIR - People have claimed UKIP's local election results were poor in our first major local election outing.
It is true we did not get any councillors elected to Bradford Council but two of our election pledges have been realised!
Council chiefs in Bradford have again ruled out bringing in fortnightly household waste collections in the district (T&A, July 16) and last Saturday it was announced the Yorkshire Regional Assembly was to be scrapped (T&A, July 14) Fortnightly refuse collection and regional assemblies - we were the only party to oppose them! Coincidence or influence?
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 24/07/07
Sir, Every now and again, 'real' Labour former MP Tony Benn gets something very right.
"There is also the issue of the new European treaty, which some want to slip through without a public vote - which would be an outrage, since MPs have no moral right to give away the powers they only borrow from their constituents in an election"
"There is also the issue of the new European treaty, which some want to slip through without a public vote - which would be an outrage, since MPs have no moral right to give away the powers they only borrow from their constituents in an election"
Jason Smith, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury. Bradford.
Rotherham Advisor, 21/07/07
SIR - What great news 'Council talking shop' to be axed' (T&A, July 14).
Apparently the Government is likely to scrap the unelected Yorkshire Regional Assembly.
As the only party actively campaigning to abolish the Yorkshire Regional Assembly I think this proves that smaller parties such as ours can make a difference.
We might not yet be winning elections, but we surely are making a difference, and ultimately that is what politics is about.
Your article also claims the Tories have "long called for the Regional Assemblies to be axed". Really, if the Tories were so against the undemocratic institution then why have they been at its very heart ever since it's inception, supporting its agenda?
Maybe the Government is changing? Let's hope so, but let us also be vigilant that the Assembly isn't resurrected through another regional agency.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 19/07/07
Where were they?
SIR - The 'Hug the Odeon' event saw a great turnout from the people of Bradford who put a 'human band of protection' around their magnificent old building and gave it a huge hug.
SIR - The 'Hug the Odeon' event saw a great turnout from the people of Bradford who put a 'human band of protection' around their magnificent old building and gave it a huge hug.
Conspicuous by their absence were the many New Labour and Conservative councillors, who were allegedly elected to serve us.
I talked to many people in attendance and they are simply not going to accept this building being demolished. Ignore the people at your peril, as they elected you and they can remove you!
Bradford's ruling cabal constantly waste money hand over fist on so-called 'cultural' initiatives that pander to a minority of the population but when our real culture is under threat, like the Bronte House and the Odeon, they do nothing. It stinks!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 17/07/07
SIR - Green Councillor Kevin Warnes does not share my concerns that we are on the fast track to a dictatorship (T&A, July 11).
I suppose everything is rosy in Mr Warnes 'green and pleasant land' but back in the real world we have seen a massive wave of draconian legislation in our blossoming dictatorship.
He believes my comparisons between New Labour's Civil Contingencies Act and Hitler's Enabling Act is 'utter nonsense', stating Hitler's Enabling Act gave him the right to rule by decree and destroyed what was left of Germany's democracy.
Well, this is exactly what the Civil Contingencies Act empowers the government to do.
Once activated, in the event of a 'civil emergency', which is very loosely defined indeed, then the government can repeal or suspend any Act of Parliament, including constitutional legislation such as the Bill of Rights.
A single government minister can implement emergency regulations and clause 22 of the Act lays down many possibilities of what actions can be undertaken, including forced movement to and from a place, confiscation or destruction of property and forcing you to act, both without remuneration.
That is a dictatorship, in anybody's book!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 16/07/07
SIR - I am a little bit worried as I find myself agreeing, again, with a Liberal Democrat. This time it's Councillor David Ward (T&A, July 10).
He suggested maybe Yorkshire Forward bought the Odeon to knock it down and is deliberately allowing the building to deteriorate. He might just be right!
Yorkshire Forward is, of course, a Regional Development Agency and like most regional agencies it would be very unconcerned about a historic building such as the Odeon, as one of its functions is to HARMonise our region with other EU states, and bulldozing our culture is a good place to start.
It's about time Bradford Councillors acted and proved they, not the regional government, call the shots in our city!
How about a referendum in Bradford on whether we should save the Odeon? Or is that too democratic for Bradford council?
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 14/07/07
A matter of time
SIR - I was amused to learn Bradford West is among 47 constituencies on a "danger list" of seats due to the country's housing crisis (T&A, July 6).
SIR - I was amused to learn Bradford West is among 47 constituencies on a "danger list" of seats due to the country's housing crisis (T&A, July 6).
It was only a matter of time wasn't it? The problem is not the lack of houses; indeed we are building many more.
It is the fact there are too many people in our city.
The population rise in Bradford is partly due to mass immigration from EU countries, and partly to higher than normal population rises in certain areas of our city.
The Government must deal with these issues, not simply continue to concrete over our cities.
The Government, as always, finds itself shackled by the EU with regard to dealing with immigration, while at the same time finds itself unable to talk about escalating population levels in certain areas due to their self-imposed gag of 'political correctness'.
One thing the Government could do to alleviate the housing crisis' is to change the benefit system so it encourages people to have less rather than more children.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 13/07/07
THIS week, French President Nicolas Sarkozy refused to release 3,500 inmates from France’s overcrowded prisons, saying: "Since when has the right to a pardon been used as a way of managing prisons".
I couldn’t agree more and what a refreshing change, a government leader who is putting his people first.
I couldn’t agree more and what a refreshing change, a government leader who is putting his people first.
Our government, of course, took the opposite action and released thousands of criminals early and we await the subsequent rise in the crime figures, which has happened in Italy who, like the UK, played their get out of jail early card.
The answer is simple – more prisons and to cut building costs, there is plenty of free labour in our prisons, why not utilise them? That is if the prisoners can drag themselves away from their satellite TVs and computer games!
Now that’s what I call New Labour.
Jason Smith, address supplied
Liverpool Echo, 13/07/07
Sir - Last week the British Medical Association said 12,000 junior doctors will be without a specialist job in October and many will either go abroad for work or simply quit medicine.
This is not exactly new news, the debate has been ongoing for sometime with the Opposition blaming the Government for mismanagement etc. The Opposition was, not for the first time, missing the real reason behind the surplus of doctors.
The reason is obvious to anybody with an attention span longer than a goldfish's.
The Government has made a concerted effort for some time to import immigrant doctors, primarily as they are cheap labour. It seems they didn't anticipate what would happen when our doctors qualified and their jobs had been taken.
Or maybe they did anticipate it, but decided it wasn't that important?
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, 1 Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 04/07/07
SIR - I feel I must reply to A Shipman (T&A. June 19) and others who believe Tony Blair and his Government has a record to be proud of and describe him as having integrity and sincerity?!
Well let me list some of Tony's "achievements"!
A prison crisis so bad that we no longer imprison criminals unless they have committed murder. Even then, they get a lenient sentence.
A housing crisis, which means most of our children are unable to get on the housing ladder.
Massive cuts in our armed forces.
Unlimited immigration which continues to bring 500,000 people into the UK ever year and continues to destroy our public services.
The cash for peerages scandal.
Too many pieces of draconian legislation to list, including imprisonment without trial and trials without jury.
Then there's the useless and expensive ID card scheme.
The war in Iraq that saw, at conservative estimates, the loss of 600,000 lives, many women and children and many of our own sons and daughters.
And his most recent disgusting act of treason, when he signed away our country to the EU.
Tony Blair's achievements would be funny if they weren't so tragic.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman , Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 02/07/07
Food for thought
SIR - I read with interest the letter from Pamela McCallum (T&A, June 25) where she stated that smokers should be afforded a place to smoke in a free society.
SIR - I read with interest the letter from Pamela McCallum (T&A, June 25) where she stated that smokers should be afforded a place to smoke in a free society.
Even as an ardent anti-smoker I would have to agree. I personally do not enjoy smoking but I would support anybodies right to smoke if they so desired, albeit in a designated area.
But, as Mrs McCallum stated, we are now increasingly living in a dictatorship and her correlations between Blair and Adolf Hitler got me thinking.
It is true Blair's Civil Contingencies Act is virtually identical to Hitler's Enabling Act. Hitler initiated an ID card scheme linked to a database, which he used to record all his citizens ethnic data, not entirely dissimilar to Blair's ID card scheme.
Hitler was known to add fluoride to the water of his concentration camps to make the captives more docile, while Blair wanted to add this to his entire countries water!
And how many people know Hitler was one of the greenest leaders around, much like Blair.
Of course, Hitler never ruled Europe, although Blair just might if he becomes the new EU President!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 29/06/07
I QUOTE from a Teletext news item: "Ditching the name for 'an amending treaty' would avoid having to seek the approval of voters, suggests a report prior to next week's crucial summit."
Just what is the matter with the population today? Why are there not demonstrations or protests in the streets? Our double-dealing elected representatives are deliberately working against our nation having a democratic voice – the referendum Blair had promised. Where precisely is the opposition? – UKIP, step forward!
Just what is the matter with the population today? Why are there not demonstrations or protests in the streets? Our double-dealing elected representatives are deliberately working against our nation having a democratic voice – the referendum Blair had promised. Where precisely is the opposition? – UKIP, step forward!
JASON SMITH, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury. BRADFORD
Spenborough Guardian, 28/06/07
Final act
SIR - So Tony Blair has committed his final act of treason, by signing away what's left of our country to the EU.
SIR - So Tony Blair has committed his final act of treason, by signing away what's left of our country to the EU.
It's a good job Blair managed to secretly repeal the treason laws in the Crime & Disorder Act isn't it?
Blair is, of course, trying to sell this treaty as "good for the UK", even though it sees the loss to us of another 63 vetoes in policy areas.
Add the 24 vetoes already lost as part of the Amsterdam Treaty, and the 46 from the Nice Treaty that gives a grand total of 133 vetoes given away by the Labour government.
With such a serious loss of our sovereignty, shouldn't we, the people, be given the chance to have our say via a referendum?
The government say no, as they claim it's just another treaty, when it is in fact the rejected EU Constitution resurrected as an "amending treaty" - repackaged to avoid having to seek our approval.
As part of the new "treaty", the EU would adopt a full time President and new French President Nicolas Sarkozy has suggested to EU leaders that Tony Blair is the man for the job. God help us all!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 28/06/07
SIR - I would like to correct Stuart Baker (T&A, June 22) on his analysis of the EU's Committee of the Regions.
This is an EU regional body whose job it is to advise the EU on the ramifications of their regional policy.
The committee can indeed advise the EU on regional issues, but no EU institution is obliged to follow its advice.
So, for example, if a specific piece of EU legislation is detrimental to Yorkshire, the committee has no way of amending it or preventing its implementation.
What the Committee of the Regions actually does is to facilitate direct relegations with the regions and Brussels, effectively bypassing our elected officials in Bradford City Hall and Westminster, creating a facade of legitimacy while forcing upon us legislation that could possibly be detrimental to our city.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 27/06/07
SIR - I would like to reply to the letter from Councillor Qasim Khan (T&A, June 21) with regard to the knighthood for Salman Rushdie.
Unaccustomed as I am to defending Labour MPs, I would like to say Ann Cryer was correct when she said foreign governments have no right to make comments on what happens in our country, and especially not the undemocratic government variety such as Pakistan's.
I must confess I have not read, nor do I intend to read, any of Mr Rushdie's work but I am convinced (and this is where I find myself agreeing with Councillor Khan) that Mr Rushdie's knighthood is a deliberate attempt to stir up Muslims in our country.
Why would the government do this, you ask? Well, Brown is hardly going to be able to push through his next round of draconian laws without the people suitably conditioned, is he?
I suggest people of all sides do not get whipped up by the Government's propaganda machine. Let's not play along and become government puppets.
Jason Smith (UKIP Bradford & District chairman), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Telegraph & Argus, 26/06/07
This is fact!
SIR - Eric Firth is once again singing the praises of the EU (T&A, June 12), saying it has taken countries such as Greece, Portugal and Spain out of poverty.
SIR - Eric Firth is once again singing the praises of the EU (T&A, June 12), saying it has taken countries such as Greece, Portugal and Spain out of poverty.
I am genuinely happy these countries have become more affluent, but I would rather this EU funding didn't come at our expense - £40 million per day!
There are also some very poor people in the UK, but where is their help? Ah, that's right there is no money left for them!
Mr Firth then claims (T&A, June 18), we anti-EU writers are speaking through the emotions of hatred. We do indeed speak through emotion - not hatred but passion. We are passionate about our country and our freedom.
Mr Firth rejects our claims that a majority of the public are euro-sceptic, and states surveys provide cold hard facts.
Well the Independence & Democracy group commissioned a YouGov poll which asked the question: "If a referendum were held, which would you opt for?"
Fifty per cent said Britain should leave the EU, 34 per cent said we should remain, and 17 per cent said they didn't know. This, Mr Firth, is a cold hard fact!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 20/06/07
SIR - It is heartening to read that Alan Chapman is so interested in UKIP business (T&A, June 7), but I am sorry he does not enjoy both mine and Philip Bird's letters a little more.
What we are attempting to do, and I think for the most part succeeding, is to inform people, a job that really should be being done by the old parties political leaders who unfortunately are too busy with their heads in the sand, or should that be the trough? I wonder what part of our message so offends him?
Does he not want to live in an Independent country?
Does he not believe in civil liberties?
Does he not believe in low taxes and properly funded public services?
Or is he, as I suspect, more interested in helping the Tory party to further mislead the public.
For the record, I have already commented on the Tom Wise situation, stating that if he is guilty, and it is yet to be proved, then he should go.
Let's not forget Mr Chapman, under UK law you are innocent until proven guilty. We are not yet living in your EU utopia!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 14/06/07
Threat to liberty
SIR - Ian McDougall asks why so many people object to ID cards (T&A, June 5). As an anti-ID activist, I would like to try to answer the question.
SIR - Ian McDougall asks why so many people object to ID cards (T&A, June 5). As an anti-ID activist, I would like to try to answer the question.
The quick answer is that the technology doesn't work; none of the reasons given for having them are actually justified; the costs are astronomical, both to the government (£5.8 billion over 10 years) and we the card holders (approx £300 per card); they also are a massive infringement of our civil liberties.
The justifications are that it will cut down illegal migration, but if you are illegal, you are unlikely to make yourself known and demand an ID card.
They claim it will cut down terrorism. I'm not sure how carrying a card stops you from blowing yourself up?
They claim they will reduce identity fraud, whereas Microsoft claim ID cards and the NIR (National Identity Register) would create, in their words, massive fraud' with hackers queueing up to harvest our data and sell the information to the highest bidder - if you lost your iris and thumb print, you can't get a new one!
So basically, they are unreliable, expensive, won't do what they claim and are a threat to our liberties.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 13/06/07
SIR - Peter Wilson (T&A, June 5) accuses me of exaggerating with regard to the level of EU control we find ourselves under.
The fact that 'at least' 70 per cent of our laws originate in the EU is not disputed by any of the old parties.
Our Government admits the EU's 111,000 regulations cost £100 billion a year (Better Regulation Commission Annual Report 2005). I have previous commented about the final and binding EU treaty/constitution. This is fact, not exaggeration.
Mr Wilson correctly states the EU has control over certain policy areas but he says people are not very concerned about these.
I would disagree, I know few people who are unconcerned about mass immigration; I have not yet met a small business owner who welcomes EU regulations; and I'm sure farmers and fisherman will not thank the EU for destroying their livelihoods.
We have also lost our legal supremacy to the EU, while our defence and criminal justice system is literally in the balance with the UK and EU splitting control 50/50.
Mr Wilson points out we still control our education, health and taxes - but for how long I wonder?
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 12/06/07
Sir, I would like to respond to J C D Higson (T&A, June 6), who wants clarification on our Governments commitment to sign up to the seventh, and final, EU treaty which will effectively abolish Britain as a nation.
As we all know the Dutch and French rejected the EU Constitution, which if ratified would have converted all European countries in to EU ‘states’, giving all their governmental powers, natural resources, military, nukes etc to the EU.
The EU have now decided that the people can ‘no longer be trusted’ to make the correct decision so they should be bypassed, and to avoid more referendums, the constitution should be repacked as a ‘treaty’.
This is the seventh and final treaty, which actually is not a treaty at all, but the EU Constitution repackaged under a new name.
This year, our government signed the ‘Berlin Declaration’, which was effectively a commitment to ratify this EU Treaty in 2009. This will complete the abolition of our country.
I am not surprised Mr Higson is not aware of this, as all UK political parties have made a pact not to debate the EU. They are all guilty of treason.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 08/06/07
Draconian law
SIR - I must commend David Barnett for his excellent column on May 29 highlighting the erosion of our civil liberties in what is a very serious situation for both ourselves and our children.
SIR - I must commend David Barnett for his excellent column on May 29 highlighting the erosion of our civil liberties in what is a very serious situation for both ourselves and our children.
One piece of draconian legislation David alluded to was control orders - house arrest to you and me - which was part of the 2005 Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The Government deemed this legislation necessary because the Lords had advised them that their policy of locking up foreign terror "suspects" and holding them indefinably was unconstitutional - which of course it was.
This legislation was rushed through Parliament in record time and was implemented so quickly that MPs discovered when they were voting that sections of the Bill had yet to be written!
The legislation gave the Government powers to put foreign suspects under house arrest, but they then thought that might be considered racist so they made the law applicable to everyone, including British citizens!
This is the mentality of the people who govern us. The Government say we must be protected from terrorists, but who is going to protect us from this Government?
Jason Smith (UKIP Bradford & District chairman), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 04/06/07
Sir, It’s hard to imagine our MPs could sink any lower, but on 18th May it happened, MPs in the House of Commons voted themselves an exemption from the Freedom of Information Act.
They obviously think that their transparency is damaging their image – they just might be right as my MP claimed £131,754 in expenses last year; I’m not surprised they want to keep this out of the public domain!
Our District MPs, even our two good ones, didn’t actually bother to vote, so we should take it that they were all happy with the proposal.
How disgusting that our MPs have voted themselves exemption to the freedom of information while at the same time they are proposing that every conceivable piece of information on every citizen should be recorded on the National Identity Register.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 02/06/07
IS it true that the admirable Christopher Booker initiated a competition in a certain national Sunday paper asking for people to proffer a single benefit of the EU which we could not have gained without being members of that thrice-cursed organisation?
Is it also true that they were unable to award the prize?
Jason Smith, (Chairman, United Kingdom Independence Party, Bradford and District), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Halifax Courier, 01/06/07
Sir, It is the anti-UK writer Eric Firth who is living in cloud cuckoo land (T&A May 23)… or should that be cloud cuckoo ‘region’. The point I was making, which Mr Firth has not managed or wanted to understand is that England no longer officially exists as a country, and I quoted the Encyclopaedia Britannica for evidence.
In its place we have nine EU ‘regions’, our region being ‘Yorkshire & Humber’. As far as the EU is concerned, England as a country, does not exist and as their law has primacy over ours in most areas that is unfortunately the case.
Mr Firth wonders why we still have English sports teams, well even our government is not stupid enough to do away with them yet – as that would surly wake up the ‘man in the street’, and they wouldn't want that.
Our government will continue to allow us to compete as English, although that might not be the case in 2009 when we find our country fully under EU control!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 29/05/07
Sir, The proposal to add folic acid to bread is continuing the worrying trend of mass medication as Graham Hoyle (T&A May 22) correctly points out.
Although the government are quick to state that the addition of folic acid ‘might’ save up to 120 babies per year, they are not as eager to tell us about the possible adverse effects which include the masking of symptoms of anaemia and that a high intake of folic acid has been associated with a speeding up process of certain cancers.
Lets also be clear, this is not natural folic acid that they are proposing to administer to us, but a synthetically produced folic acid. Scientists are not even sure if the synthetically created version will work in the same way as naturally occurring folate.
Whether folic acid is good for us or not is immaterial. Mass medication is wrong, period.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 26/05/07
Pro-Europeans look to back door policy
READERS should see this shocking quotation about the proposed bypassing of democracy in reintroducing the failed constitution via the back door: "They are following in the slip stream of the English... which is the prominent eurosceptical country. If the English can be defeated then the opposition in Prague will disappear."
Who might you think? – Delors, Merkel, Barroso, Hitler, Stalin? None of the above. It was in fact Lib Dem MEP Andrew Duff.
READERS should see this shocking quotation about the proposed bypassing of democracy in reintroducing the failed constitution via the back door: "They are following in the slip stream of the English... which is the prominent eurosceptical country. If the English can be defeated then the opposition in Prague will disappear."
Who might you think? – Delors, Merkel, Barroso, Hitler, Stalin? None of the above. It was in fact Lib Dem MEP Andrew Duff.
Treasonous, maybe, but at least he is honest about it.
Jason Smith, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Sheffield Star, 25/05/07
Sir, Eric Firth (T&A, May 17) likens myself and other English patriots to Baldrick from Blackadder as he thinks we see EU ‘cunning plans’ everywhere.
Well I’m afraid there are many EU plans that are hurting our country. Current Post Office closures are happening because the EU will not allow our government to continue to subsidise them.
Fortnightly refuse is going to be dumped on us to try stop our country being fined under the EU Landfills directive.
Many people who prefer health supplements have seen them banned by the EU to clear the way for the big pharmaceutical companies.
EU immigration is crippling are public services.
Although their most cunning plan is to repackage the EU constitution as a treaty and in 2009 our government will sign this ‘treaty’ and our country away lock stock and barrel to the EU.
To continue the Blackadder analogy, I would liken Mr Firth and other anti-UK writers to the character Prince George, I’ll leave you all with that one.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 23/05/07
SIR - It will be interesting to see the outcome of the Council's study into fortnightly rubbish collections.
Councils across the country are bringing in fortnightly refuse collections in response to the EU Landfills Directive, which has set targets to reduce landfill, and if we do not meet their targets we will be fined.
Bradford Council needs to halve the amount of rubbish it dumps, or face fines of up to £13 million per year, which of course will be passed on to we taxpayers!
All the old parties were initially taking a tough stance against fortnightly collections but I noticed we were the only party actively campaigning against this in the election.
As the old parties blindly follow the EU's rules, we can expect a u-turn shortly and a Council vote in favour of this plan.
Reducing landfill, of course is a good idea, having bins overflowing and bringing in rats and disease is not. Wouldn't a sensible solution be to give every household in the district recycling bins?
People say the EU does not affect them at a local level. Now that's rubbish!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 18/05/07
I SEE that Tony Blair, according to reports, will seek an executive role in the EU after he stands down as Prime Minister this summer.
This would explain much. It is now abundantly clear that Blair has had his eye on such a role for the period of his office as Prime Minister and it is clearly why he has been falling over himself to hand over our sovereignty to Brussels.
Jason Smith, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford.
Yorkshire Post, 17/05/07
A true martyr in the metric fight
SIR - I would like to congratulate the metric martyrs for achieving a victory for the people of the UK over the EU; this victory means that we can all keep trading in imperial measurements without being arrested.
SIR - I would like to congratulate the metric martyrs for achieving a victory for the people of the UK over the EU; this victory means that we can all keep trading in imperial measurements without being arrested.
This does highlight however, just how subservient we have become to the EU.
This is unfortunately not going to help metric martyr' Steve Thoburn, who was persecuted for selling fruit and veg by the pound, the stress of which undoubtedly contributed to his heart attack and early death at 39.
I think we should all support the metric martyrs petition for a royal pardon for Steve Thoburn on behalf of his wife and children.
It is a disgrace that none of the old parties backed the metric martyrs. The traitorous old parties have proved time and time again that they care nothing about the people of this country; there is not an ounce' of difference between them!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 17/05/07
SIR - I share Joy Gartside's concern about electors not receiving their postal votes in time (T&A, May 10).
This was, unfortunately, only the tip of the iceberg in an election that found the voting process brought even further into disrepute.
We had many instances in Bradford of polling cards being delivered with incorrect information, our Council blaming the printers, but surely the printers only printed the material, they didn't write it?
Then we hear about an undercover reporter uncovering Labour activists in Leeds allegedly breaking the law by handling postal votes and posting them, unless they were for another party, in which case activists were told to lose them' on the way to the postbox.
We had election counts taking place on the following day, which meant we had ballot boxes being left overnight, leaving a big window for potential abuse.
There is one quick remedy for election fraud, only allow postal votes to people who cannot physically make it to the polling stations.
The old parties continue to present postal voting as a success, as they claim it has increased voter turnout, but at what cost?
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 16/05/07
SIR - I would like to try and answer the question from Susan Lawn: How to deter these violent pupils' (T&A Letters, May 10).
As a parent of a child at a Bradford upper school, I can say this is a very real problem. Good children, and there are some left, have their learning hindered by disruptive children. Only last week a child assaulted my son's teacher at school.
We urgently need to bring discipline back to schools and society in general. Children naturally try to push boundaries, but now there are none.
The cane was a deterrent; we should bring that back in schools. If the European Human Rights Act limits the use of it, then we should amend or abolish the legislation.
Of course, much of the blame has to be placed on the parents, many of whom have been brought up in the same lawless society as their children, where anything goes'.
I think the government should also take some responsibility; they now fine or imprison parents because they cannot convince' their children to attend school, yet when parents try to discipline their children, the government threatens to prosecute them.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 15/05/07
DOES anyone else think there is something "fishy" about the SNP? I am not just talking about Mr Salmond and Ms Sturgeon but their policy of independence.
I support the Scottish people's right to a referendum, but what the SNP are not telling the electorate is that once they become a self-governing country they are committed to joining another union, the European Union, which is a far more bureaucratic and undemocratic union than what they now have.
As part of the EU, Scottish people would have far less clout than they currently have. Is that what Scottish people really want?
Mr Jason Smith, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Edinburgh Evening News, 15/05/07
Breaking the law?
SIR - It seems the spectre of water fluoridation has reared its poisonous head once again (T&A, April 21).
SIR - It seems the spectre of water fluoridation has reared its poisonous head once again (T&A, April 21).
Our district care trust is again proposing to forcibly medicate us under the guise of improving our nation's teeth. I would remind these people that this practice is not only unethical but it is also illegal.
When fluoride is added to drinking water for the intent to medicate it then becomes a medicine, and as the Government has failed to register fluoride as a medicine, this would be an illegal act.
It is also worth noting that the fluoride that is added to drinking water is not natural fluoride but a chemical known as Hydrofluosilic acid, which is actually an industrial waste product.
People might question the legality, but nobody should question that it is unethical to forcibly medicate somebody against their will.
How would we all feel if our children were forcibly given medication every day? Well, this is what the care' trusts are proposing.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 08/05/07
Goodbye freedom?
SIR - I would wholeheartedly support Kirklees Council leader Robert Light's calls to make St George's Day a national holiday (T&A, April 17) although it is a shame our own leader Kris Hopkins does not also support this proposal.
SIR - I would wholeheartedly support Kirklees Council leader Robert Light's calls to make St George's Day a national holiday (T&A, April 17) although it is a shame our own leader Kris Hopkins does not also support this proposal.
This is not entirely surprising though, after all, Mr Hopkins sits on the Yorkshire Regional Assembly, which is a very anti-English institution indeed. In fact the assemblies were originally designed to break up England into regions so they could be more easily governed from Brussels.
Having a national holiday and celebrating our traditions and history is something the government in Brussels does not want to happen. The English flag is being banned in many areas and this will continue.
If anyone doubts the seriousness of this they should search England in the Encyclopaedia Britannica where they will find "England no longer officially exists as a country".
We've got until May 2009, until our government signs the final and binding treaty where our remaining sovereignty will be given to the European Union.
Until then fly the flag and fight for England! After that, it's goodbye freedom and democracy.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 05/05/07
1984? It’s not so far fetched in 2007
SIR - Science Minister Malcolm Wicks mooted the idea that elderly or frail people should be tagged to allow the authorities to keep tabs on them.
SIR - Science Minister Malcolm Wicks mooted the idea that elderly or frail people should be tagged to allow the authorities to keep tabs on them.
Mr Wicks thinks that this will be great piece of mind for older people's relatives, but I wonder if he has actually consulted any elderly people? Maybe they might not want to be tagged.
Mr Wicks added that similar technology is used to track convicted criminals. Oh, ok, so that's all right then!
This Government's obsession with tracking everybody is getting rather worrying. The new road pricing scheme will track every movement of every motorists throughout the UK. And if you decide to leave your car at home, you can still expect to get caught on CCTV some 400 times a day.
Mr Wicks isn't finished there though - he wants to know if there are any other uses of technology that can benefit society.
I'm sure he'll soon dig up the Government's recent policy review on crime, justice and cohesion, which suggested microchipping mentally ill patients. George Orwell's book 1984, should probably have been entitled 2007.
Jason Smith, Bradford.
Worcester News, 01/05/07
VLADIMIR Bukovksy, the Soviet dissident, has warned us that "an elite plan has long existed whereby the EU would be hijacked and transformed into a Soviet style socialist superstate that would eliminate the individual nation state's power and create a governing body with no accountability or direct representation".
Simple question. He is an expert on anti-democratic forces – do we believe him? Examine the evidence, not the europhile propaganda and you will see clearly. We have been warned.
Jason Smith, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford.
Yorkshire Post, 23/04/07
Sir, The Science Minister, Malcolm Wicks, has proposed that elderly or frail people should be tagged to allow the authorities to keep tabs on them. Mr Wicks thinks that this will give great peace of mind to older people’s relatives.
I wonder if he has actually consulted any elderly people? They may not want to be tagged — Mr Wicks added that similar technology is used to track convicted criminals.
This Government’s obsession with tracking everybody is getting rather worrying. Speed cameras and road pricing schemes can keep a track of motorists in towns and cities and in the countryside. Even if you leave your car at home you can be caught on CCTV.
Mr Wicks wonders whether there are any other uses of technology that can benefit society. I’m sure he’ll soon dig up the Government’s recent Policy Review on Crime, Justice & Cohesion, which suggested microchipping the mentally ill.
JASON SMITH, Bradford
The Times, 21/04/07
Bad for Britain
SIR - A G Goldsbrough (T&A, April 10) wonders why the Government cannot provide reasonably paid jobs for people to take up instead of poorly paid ones.
SIR - A G Goldsbrough (T&A, April 10) wonders why the Government cannot provide reasonably paid jobs for people to take up instead of poorly paid ones.
I would suggest the reason for the increase in poorly paid jobs is because of the government's policy of unlimited immigration.
Immigrants from the EU are prepared to work for a lot less than the indigenous population and few employers can afford to resist this cheap labour as, after all, business is about making a profit.
It is easy for people to blame the immigrants' for stealing our jobs' but in reality it is the government who are giving our jobs away. It is our government's job to protect our country's interests, but they simply cannot or will not do it.
The government will continue to chant the mantra immigration is good for the economy', well cheap labour may well be good for the economy but it is certainly not good for British workers who are seeing their wages fall and job opportunities disappear.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 13/04/07
We’re waiting
SIR - Apparently Tony Blair has expressed "deep sorrow" for the slave trade. I do not believe, as a nation, we should be apologising for something that our ancestors did.
SIR - Apparently Tony Blair has expressed "deep sorrow" for the slave trade. I do not believe, as a nation, we should be apologising for something that our ancestors did.
I also feel it is quite ironic that Mr Blair is apologising for something he had no control over, yet he continues to refuse to apologise for his "illegal" Iraq war and the subsequent deaths of 100,000 Iraqi civilians and a great number of British and allied troops.
Maybe, in 200 years' time, a Labour Prime Minister may express "deep sorrow" and apologise for the Iraq war!
Jason Smith (UKIP Bradford & District chairman), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Telegraph & Argus, 05/04/07
SIR - Mrs. Cathy MacKay (T&A, March 14) states: "It was sad that authorities hounded a 63-year old granny for protesting."
It is not only sad, but also dangerous. We have a proud tradition of being able to protest in our country but it seems it is being eroded along with the rest of our civil liberties.
New Labour showed their willingness to suppress freedom of speech on a national stage by manhandling and ejecting an elderly gentleman from their conference for heckling the Government.
Since the War on Terror began, we have seen our rights gradually eroded, the government taking more and more powers while limiting ours. The Terrorism Act was so loosely defined that every one of us could be classed as a terrorist under this draconian legislation.
There certainly are terrorists in our country, they have been guilty of mass murder, they do not respect our democracy and traditions, and they care more about their political agenda than the people.
Yes, I am talking about New Labour.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 03/04/07
SIR - There are differing opinions on whether humans are actually responsible for global warming.
The fact is the case has not been made either way, even though all the old parties have declared the argument over and concluded we all are responsible.
I tend to agree with Malcolm Wood (T&A, March 22) who suggests the Green consensus' is another excuse to tax people into oblivion.
If the Government was really committed to stopping global warming it would not be initiating a massive airport building programme and would be funding public transport to give people an alternative to cars or aircraft.
I recently enquired about a train to London which would have cost £177 - I could have flown cheaper!
The Conservative's new hippy green leader is proposing each of us has a flight allowance', which would equate to one single short-haul flight per year, with subsequent flights incurring massive tax. This policy will just price low earners out of the skies.
I suggest people don't get caught up in the media propaganda, but look at the policies the old parties are pushing, then I think they will realise just how committed they are to reducing global warming.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 28/03/07
Sir, I would like to clarify the situation of alleged 'financial anomalies' in UKIP, a question raised by Alan Chapman (T&A March 21).
With regard to Tom Wise, as I understand the EU is investigating him and as yet have not made a decision on the alleged financial irregularities. UKIP though was quick to act and suspended Mr Wise, as unlike the EU, we do not condone any form of corruption.
I suspect Mr Chapman's information comes from the recent anti-UKIP national press. Our 'bad press' is more to do with our increasing success and popularity as a party than any scandals in UKIP; in fact you will find we are virtual saints compared to the corrupt old parties.
For example, the recent press furore over what was claimed was an ‘illegal donation’ to UKIP was nothing more than an administrative error, as the donor in question had moved house and not been on the electoral roll for 12 months, breaching electoral law. But the Electoral Commission has done nothing regarding the LibDems donation of £2 million from a man who was not resident in this country at the time and is now in prison for fraud.
Telegraph & Argus, 27/03/07
Safety or profit?
SIR - Bradford Council surely must reconsider their decision to replace street wardens with PCSOs, as local business have made it clear they provide a safer environment for shoppers and without them shoppers numbers and business profits will fall. If our Council are serious about developing our city, which I personally am not convinced about, they must keep our street wardens.
SIR - Bradford Council surely must reconsider their decision to replace street wardens with PCSOs, as local business have made it clear they provide a safer environment for shoppers and without them shoppers numbers and business profits will fall. If our Council are serious about developing our city, which I personally am not convinced about, they must keep our street wardens.
The argument that they will be replaced by PCSOs is not a very reassuring argument, as Irene Priestley correctly pointed out (T&A, March 9). They will not come under the Council's jurisdiction and therefore are likely to be redeployed in areas of high crime, leaving other areas vulnerable.
People should also be aware that PCSOs are often a replacement for real police and not an addition to, so what we are finding is that we are losing highly-trained real police officers and getting in return powerless PCSOs, cut-price coppers if you will.
Bradford Council will save money on street wardens, but the decision is safety or profit? I think we all know what the Council's priorities are.
Jason Smith (UKIP Bradford & District chairman), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 19/03/07
SIR - What an atrocity! Bradford Council has increased our council tax again, this time by a whopping 4.8 per cent (T&A, March 2).
It seems like the New Conservatives, as their leader had promised, have now deserted their traditional policy of low taxation. They now join other notable tax thieves, New Labour and the Lib-Dems.
Don't believe what Bradford councillors say. We could cut, yes cut, council tax in our city by 40 per cent and we wouldn't have to leave the EU to save the money, and we will do it!
Massive amounts of money are wasted in our council on bureaucracy and politically correct jobs. We would eliminate the council's waste and I'm not talking about emptying their bins! As a council we spend way too much money on cultural initiatives' - we'd cut money there.
As an Independence' council you would also be entitled to local referendums so you could tell us what you think, and we would, shock horror, abide by the result.
Every resident of Bradford has a choice on May 3. You can continue to be robbed by the old parties or you can vote for Independence. It's your call.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 07/03/07
SIR - When the European Union uses the word harmonise it is time to be afraid; very afraid.
It is a coded word which means further loss of sovereignty to nation states.
If we were certain that the EU were a benevolent body, this would perhaps be worthy of debate. It is not, so it is not.
Crimes against the environment are the latest to be used as a tool - clever, cunning even, as how many of us would want to speak out against laws which fight pollution?
Crimes against the environment are the latest to be used as a tool - clever, cunning even, as how many of us would want to speak out against laws which fight pollution?
Again the EU, from Brussels, is proposing that national governments should no longer retain the sovereign right to decide what constitutes a crime and what punishments should be applied.
There are even environmentalists out there who, failing to see the big picture, might even applaud this action. I repeat, cunning.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 02/03/07
SIR - Conservative candidate David Chapman (T&A, February 20) states the Government's new "pay as you drive" road pricing proposal is lunacy, and it certainly is.
Not only will it cost motorists a fortune but will also be another infringement of our civil liberties, as we will be tracked 24-7.
Mr. Chapman might not be aware though, that his (New Conservative) party also supports this proposal through its support of the EU. Yes, this is another EU project; although you wouldn't know it listening to the media, would you?
Our government signed up to Directive 2004/52, which will ensure the road-pricing schemes in EU countries, are the same, and can be linked to the Galileo satellite.
A petition on the Downing Street website garnered 1.7 million signatures against this proposal yet it has been dismissed by the Government as meaningless, quite simply because they are already committed to it.
How many times have we heard Conservatives' criticising policies only to later discover they are EU-driven?
New Labour, the New Conservatives and the Lib-Dems walk behind the EU, and when you walk behind, the view never changes.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 26/02/07
THE Government's war on our civil liberties continues with its latest Policy Review: Crime, Justice and Cohesion.
It includes some very sinister suggestions. They may only be proposals at this stage but they sound like some document from Nazi Germany.
The paper states early on that there must be "trade-offs" between liberty and security. This is totally unacceptable but not entirely unexpected from this Government.
The Government confirmed its intention to extend surveillance through ID cards, satellite surveillance and microchip monitoring, even though as a country we are already heavily under surveillance. Britain currently has the most public CCTV systems in Europe.
It really gets sinister when you read about "regulating behaviour", implant- ing microchips in mentally ill patients and preventing drug addiction through heroin and cocaine vaccination.
Do we really want to live under this type of regime?
The paper states early on that there must be "trade-offs" between liberty and security. This is totally unacceptable but not entirely unexpected from this Government.
The Government confirmed its intention to extend surveillance through ID cards, satellite surveillance and microchip monitoring, even though as a country we are already heavily under surveillance. Britain currently has the most public CCTV systems in Europe.
It really gets sinister when you read about "regulating behaviour", implant- ing microchips in mentally ill patients and preventing drug addiction through heroin and cocaine vaccination.
Do we really want to live under this type of regime?
Jason Smith, (Chairman, UKIP Bradford and District)
Halifax Courier, 23/02/07
SIR - Apparently Bradford has received £47 million of funding support from the European Union since the turn of the century (T&A, February 18) and we are told Bradford's Objective 2' team will be celebrating this.
Wow, these people in the EU must be extremely generous mustn't they?
Not really. They are effectively giving us some of our money back, and it's an extremely small proportion of what we give them in EU membership subs.
Let's put it in perspective, they have given us £47 million since the turn of the century and we give them £40 million per day!
It is estimated our membership of the EU costs each family in Bradford £3,293 per year. Is this something we should celebrate?
All the other parties think it is right that taxpayers in Britain fund a Hungarian railway, an East European car factory and a new sewer in Poland. I don't!
The funding' also comes via the unelected' Yorkshire regional assembly, conveniently bypassing our elected officials in London and Bradford, but neither our parliament nor Council seem concerned about this.
Thanks EU - thanks for nothing.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman , Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 22/02/07
SIR - I find myself in total agreement with Gary Lorriman (T&A, February 13). If Lord Falconer was so outraged about the "misinterpretation" of the Human Rights Act then why has he not stepped in to resolve the situation? Could it be that it is the European Human Rights Act we are talking about? Is Lord Falconer actually handcuffed by the EU?
Shouldn't we ask why we couldn't have our own Human Rights Act? We managed perfectly well with it before 1998, until the EU stepped in. I don't remember our Government demanding prisoners had the vote back then.
To understand how much the EU really cares about our human rights you only need to read Article II, Paragraph 52 of the EU Constitution, which demands the limitation of basic human rights if deemed in the general interest of the European Union.
Jason Smith (UKIP Bradford & District chairman), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Jason Smith (UKIP Bradford & District chairman), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 14/02/07
Why we could be on the fast track to a police state
SIR - Archbishop John Sentamu, in my opinion, hit the nail on the head when he said that Labour's anti-terror legislation is in danger of turning our country into a police state, but I disagree entirely with Councillor Cromie's explanation (T&A, February 11) as to why this is.
SIR - Archbishop John Sentamu, in my opinion, hit the nail on the head when he said that Labour's anti-terror legislation is in danger of turning our country into a police state, but I disagree entirely with Councillor Cromie's explanation (T&A, February 11) as to why this is.
Unsurprisingly, Mr Cromie would have us believe that the "police state" is being introduced as a counter-measure to mass migration of people from the Third World and predominantly Muslims.
The reality is that we are on the fast track to a police state because of the legislation our Government has passed. Their policies of early release from prison, the introduction of ASBOs, multiculturalism and their "open door" immigration policy has created a climate of fear in our country, which they have used to justify ever more draconian powers.
Of course there are extremists in all parts of society, and I would support a zero tolerance policy against these people.
I share Archbishop Sentamu's concerns on our loss of civil liberties. After all if we allow our civil liberties to be eroded, have we not let the terrorists win?
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 13/02/07
SIR - David Cameron has given a knee-jerk response to attempts to silence Tory discontent over Europe by ordering his MPs not to accept a UK Independence Party invitation to sign an EU withdrawal pledge.
Six Tory MPs and several Labour have already agreed to the Independence Party's offer. This states that the anti-EU party will not field candidates against any MP signing up to its Better Off Out campaign.
Apparently the Tory Chief Whip Patrick McLauglin is "playing the heavy" at the behest of Mr Cameron. Just what do we have to do to have an anti-EU voice then, Dave? -Yes. I've got it. Must vote for UKIP.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 08/02/07
Prison costs
Sir - I don't think MP Gerry Sutcliffe's vow to protect the public from criminals reassured anyone, but one statistic got me thinking.
Sir - I don't think MP Gerry Sutcliffe's vow to protect the public from criminals reassured anyone, but one statistic got me thinking.
Mr Sutcliffe announced that it cost an astronomical £40,000 a year to keep each prisoner in prison. I then had a great idea to save taxpayers some money and keep criminals off our streets.
Let's put them up in hotels! I have enquired and we can keep a prisoner in a high-class local hotel for £60 per night, why not give them a budget of £15 per day for takeaways, that will cost £27,375, a saving of £12,625 to the taxpayer. But hang on; inmates normally aren't in a cell alone, so we could go for a double room (£70), or more in keeping with prison conditions, a premier double (£80), that would be £20,075 per inmate, which is a saving of £19,925.
I'm sure Mr Sutcliffe could also negotiate a discount for a long stay.
I'm sure Mr Sutcliffe could also negotiate a discount for a long stay.
Seriously though, I would like to know why it costs the UK £40,000 per year to keep somebody locked up while the US annual cost per prisoner is £8,134. Maybe Gerry Sutcliffe could enlighten us?
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 06/02/07
More jails needed
SIR - So MP Gerry Sutcliffe (T&A, January 24) has vowed to protect the public and not let dangerous prisoners out of prison, that's a nice idea but unfortunately governor Sutcliffe's prisons are full up!
SIR - So MP Gerry Sutcliffe (T&A, January 24) has vowed to protect the public and not let dangerous prisoners out of prison, that's a nice idea but unfortunately governor Sutcliffe's prisons are full up!
He then goes on to say that non-violent, non-sexual offenders could be given fines or community service instead of a custodial sentence. So if you have been burgled or robbed by a non-violent mugger, you can expect to see them back on the streets soon.
The answer is simple Gerry; we need more prisons.
John Reid was on to something when he announced the Home Office was unfit for purpose, although he didn't go far enough, it is the whole Labour government that is unfit for purpose!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 30/01/07
Those in power will be able to abuse it
SIR - George Cowley claims I am a touch paranoid by claiming that our Government is enacting legislation that would be more in tune with China or Nazi Germany and makes the popular response of "Those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear".
SIR - George Cowley claims I am a touch paranoid by claiming that our Government is enacting legislation that would be more in tune with China or Nazi Germany and makes the popular response of "Those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear".
I suggest Mr Cowley looks more closely at the legislation our Government has passed during their last term. The Terrorism Act has been used against peace protesters and to arrest an outspoken old gentleman at a Labour conference, Labour's Civil Contingencies Act allows the Government in the event of an "emergency" - which was very loosely defined - to remove or add any legislation on the whim of a single minister.
These are just a few examples - there are literally hundreds more. Is this what we want?
Jason Smith, Bradford.
Worcester News, 26/01/07
Look at our laws
SIR - It seems it is Eric Firth who has been brainwashed by the EU (T&A, January 15), I wonder, has he been reading the EU's school information' packs?
SIR - It seems it is Eric Firth who has been brainwashed by the EU (T&A, January 15), I wonder, has he been reading the EU's school information' packs?
He claims packs sent to schools are simply showing children how the EU works. Unfortunately, they are propaganda to condition our next generation to accept EU rule.
The packs put forward arguments against the EU, instruct children how to counter the arguments and conclude the arguments are nonsense.
One argument attempts to convince the child the EU is not anti-democratic by stating the European Parliament is elected and the Council of Ministers represents our governments.
What it fails to mention is the European Parliament is essentially powerless as it cannot table or amend legislation, essentially acting as an administrator.
As for the Council of Ministers, they are appointed by the EU regions (countries) and are therefore not elected. Interestingly, under Sections 406 and 407 of the Education Act 1996, any teachers who fail to present politically controversial subjects like these in a balanced and impartial way will be breaking the law.
In their arrogance has the EU forgotten we still retain some of our own laws?
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford & District Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 22/01/07
SIZE HANDICAP
The influential German European Union Commissioner Guther Verheugen, has declared that 'small EU states do not need fully fledged commissioners'.
The influential German European Union Commissioner Guther Verheugen, has declared that 'small EU states do not need fully fledged commissioners'.
Well, well, well. Do I spot yet another 'thin-end-of-a-very-large-wedge' set of tactics as the Franco-German alliance which controls the European Union makes a bid for even more unfettered powers? I'll bet people in Luxembourg are now starting to doubt their unwise support for all things EU. I wonder to what extent 'size will matter'? How about the Republic of Ireland for starters?
Jason Smith, Woodlands Avenue, Bradford.
Scunthorpe Telegraph, 16/01/07
