They want to hide truth about EU law
The Neo-Labour Party have once again shown their distain for democracy rejecting the European Union (Transparency) Bill that would have required them to be more open about new laws and the extent to which laws brought before Parliament are a result of EU decisions.
The Neo-Labour Party have once again shown their distain for democracy rejecting the European Union (Transparency) Bill that would have required them to be more open about new laws and the extent to which laws brought before Parliament are a result of EU decisions.
This bill would have been particularly relevant now as the British Chamber of Commerce has estimated that legislation sourced in the EU has placed a £47 billion burden on British business, something we do not need, especially in these time of economic uncertainty. I would like to do my bit for transparency and advise Bradford's voters that MPs Gerry Sutcliffe and Marsha Singh voted against transparency. Ann Cryer once again proved her credentials as she was one of only six Labour MPs who dared defy the whip; she was joined, of course by our other decent MP, Philip Davies in supporting parliamentary transparency.
The undemocratic Labour Party won the vote effectively shielding from public gaze information about how and by whom we are governed. It is hardly surprising they would want to keep the truth from the people that 80% of our laws are made by a foreign government.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 16/12/08
Jacques shows why EU is no good
Some readers may wonder why those of us who oppose the EU do so, so vehemently.
Some readers may wonder why those of us who oppose the EU do so, so vehemently.
When EU officials are both patronising and anti-democratic - perhaps they will gain an insight.
Consider Jacques Santer, a former EU Commission Presi-dent, talking about the Irish rejection of Lisbon: "A referendum is good for democracy; it is not always good for a country. We need to make a distinction between democracy and what is good for the country."
How patronising!
Jason Smith, Bradford Chairman, UK Independence Party, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 15/12/08
As unaccustomed as I am to defending Tory MPs, I feel I must speak out about the arrest of Damian Green, who was apparently held for nine hours and his homes and offices searched by counter terrorism officers.
The police were investigating a series of Home Office leaks which are thought to include information that proves the Home Secretary knew that the Security Industry Authority had granted licences to 5,000 illegal workers, but decided not to publicise it, information that an illegal immigrant had been employed as a cleaner at the House Of Commons and a Whips list of potential Labour MPs who planned to rebel on 42-day pre-charge detention.
I personally do not think this is particularly sensitive information, and would suggest it is in the public interest.
I would also question whether the police need to utilise nine counter terrorist officers when I'm sure they could actually be countering terrorism instead.
Obviously the government deny any knowledge of this, although this whole situation has the stench of the Neo-Labour party at work.
If this is how the Neo-Labour party operates, then we are even closer to a dictatorship than even I thought.
Jason Smith, Bradford Chairman, UK Independence Party, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 02/12/08
I see the European Union has recently paid out 50 million euros to non-existent fruit tree growers in Italy. I do not grow fruit trees either.
Perhaps somebody can tell me where I apply for the same funding?
Perhaps somebody can tell me where I apply for the same funding?
Jason Smith, Chairman, UK Independence Party, Bradford
Halifax Courier, 25/11/08
Sir, it is always a pleasure to see a comment from EU fanatic Stuart Baker (T&A 30/9); he suggests UKIPs stance of being an “associate member” is a seismic shift in UKIP thinking.
On the contrary our stance has always been very consistent, what Mr Baker refers to is our policy of having a “trading agreement” with the EU, this is actually what everybody thought they’d signed up to in 1975 when they voted for continued membership of the EEC.
We believe we should have trade with the EU but should also be able to trade freely with the rest of the world (which you cannot do as part of the EU).
We would benefit from being part one of the worlds biggest trading blocks the Commonwealth; we could also trade freely with North America.
The big difference under UKIP it that we would not be bound by the EU’s political union and would be able to actually make policies that benefited our country for a change and of course govern ourselves, saving £12 billion pounds a year in the process.
In or out of political union… it’s really a no-brainer isn’t it!
In or out of political union… it’s really a no-brainer isn’t it!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 12/11/08
Sir, I refer to your article ‘Pool plan is chance to think big’ (T&A November 6). Unfortunately I do not share the writer’s optimism that pools at Bingley and Queensbury will be replaced by new pools.
I fear what we shall have another ‘Thornton pool’ scenario, where the local pool is closed and no new pool materialises. We might see one huge pool in the centre of Bradford, although the building of it would probably be delayed by a decade or so in true council form.
I fear what we shall have another ‘Thornton pool’ scenario, where the local pool is closed and no new pool materialises. We might see one huge pool in the centre of Bradford, although the building of it would probably be delayed by a decade or so in true council form.
What local people need are ‘local’ pools that are easily assessable to local people and school children, not a super-pool that takes the school minibus thirty minutes each way, therefore reducing our child’s swimming lessons.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 10/11/08
Sir, Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. An EU regulation which bans farmers from using their combine harvesters on wet soil!
I really do not know why I bother attacking the ridiculous EU - it has an uncanny gift for advertising its own stupidity!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 04/11/08
Sir, The fact that Tory Councillor Anne Hawkesworth supports grouse shooting (T&A 29/9) should hardly be a surprise, after all, her leader ‘Dave’ Cameron enjoys nothing more that a spot of stag shooting at the weekends on his father-in-laws estate.
I personally think that shooting animals for pleasure is quite disgusting, much like today’s Tory party really.
I wonder, should we debate instead whether to allow 'councillor shooting' on Ilkley Moor, I don’t think we’d get many protests against that!
I wonder, should we debate instead whether to allow 'councillor shooting' on Ilkley Moor, I don’t think we’d get many protests against that!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 24/10/08
Sir, The governments new immigration minister Phil Woolas must be very astute, telling the Times that due to the economic crisis migrant numbers must be reduced. Mr Woolas said "It's been too easy to get into this country in the past and it's going to get harder," adding that their current points-based immigration system provided "a powerful and flexible set of controls".
There are a few problems with the government’s policy. Firstly when they talk about ‘points based immigration’ and ‘limits’ they are only talking about immigrants from outside the EU, as a state of the EU his government cannot refuse entry to the UK from any EU national, not can they set limits on EU asylum claims.
It is also worth noting that the vast majority of UK immigration comes from the EU. Mr Wollas added that; “This government isn't going to allow the population to go up to 70 million”. I am afraid Mr Woolas cannot guarantee that, as his government has no power to control immigration.
The only way to control immigration is to leave the EU, and the government dare not do that!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 23/10/08
Sir, The battle rages on between freedom and fascism, with the freedom fighters winning another battle when the principled Peers defeating our fanatical ‘Neo’ Labour government 309 votes to 118 in their battle for 42 days detention without trial.
I always used to think the House of Lords was just a political old folks home but it is now clear that it is this unelected chamber that is ironically standing up for our freedoms. The government has now bowed to “peer pressure” and dropped the 42 day detention plans from their Counter-Terrorism Bill, or “Terror” Bill for short.
Praise the Lords!
Praise the Lords!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 22/10/08
THE EU may use current events to “expand the mandate of the European Central Bank, creating a financial strike force that transcends national interest”, says Prof Francois Godement.
Perhaps I may be permitted to paraphrase: “As normal, the EU will grasp every opportunity to grab more power and consolidate it.”
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party’s Bradford chairman
Huddersfield Examiner, 18/10/08
Time to talk sense
SIR – Once again Philip Davies MP is talking sense when he called the Black Police Association a “divisive organisation that is stirring up racial tensions” (T&A, October 10), and once again the Tories proved what sort of party they have become by distancing themselves from his comments and stating that his views do not represent the views of the party.
SIR – Once again Philip Davies MP is talking sense when he called the Black Police Association a “divisive organisation that is stirring up racial tensions” (T&A, October 10), and once again the Tories proved what sort of party they have become by distancing themselves from his comments and stating that his views do not represent the views of the party.
Not only is the Black Police Association divisive, but I would suggest it is racist to have a police association based on colour.
Is it not time for Philip Davies to accept what the electorate now know – that the new Tories are nothing more than ‘Blue Labour’, a party that panders to political correctness and is too afraid to speak on important issues?
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 15/10/08
Sir, I would like to concur with Nicholas Bielby and the Taxpayers Alliance with regard to the fact that regional development agencies are simply a waste of money and that they in fact hurt our region rather than help develop it (T&A 12/9).
Let us also remember that Yorkshire Forward has no mandate to make policy in our region, very much like regional assemblies which were the brainchild of John Prescott, which I might add were soundly rejected in a public referendum. People who work for these regional organisations are neither elected nor accountable to the people, which is why we constantly see debacles like the Odeon and Westwood shopping centre project. Saying that these agencies have some elected councillors appointed to their boards is simply not good enough.
Agencies such as Yorkshire Forward and the Yorkshire & Humber Regional Assembly have been established for one reason, to serve the EU the their UK social engineering agenda. The concern is that we are seeing these agencies take more and more powers away from our elected representatives at City Hall.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 03/10/08
SIR – Remember the Government’s ID card Bill, the one that was not going to be compulsory? Well, it was unveiled last week by the Government, and will be compulsory, initially for foreign nationals (anyone from outside the EU). These easy targets will soon be joined by workers who work in sensitive areas such as airports, who will have to accept an ID card and have their biometrics taken or alternately lose their jobs.
Next up for ID cards are students, the ones that want to have a student grant at least.
That sounds like compulsion to me.
The ID card itself was very interesting; the background is adorned with hundreds of tiny letters spelling EU and sports the EU symbol of a bull drawn from Greek mythology, which sits above EU-style golden stars.
An EU directive mandates that all member states’ ID cards must follow the same design. It kind of looks like an EU ID card to me? Any comments from the Tories or Lib-Dems?
How very apt that the EU ID card would sport a beast with two horns!
I wonder when the ID card becomes compulsory for us all; will we be permitted to buy or sell without it?
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 01/10/08
I frequently attack the many absurdities of the European Union and would prefer to see us withdraw to associate status.
Our own Government, however, must share a measure of the blame for stupidities foisted onto the longsuffering British public.
Our own Government, however, must share a measure of the blame for stupidities foisted onto the longsuffering British public.
Take the new motorcycle driving test. Emergency stops must be held at 31 mph in built up areas which would clearly be illegal.
One more example of government letting any old rubbish come into this nation 'on the nod' as long as it bears a 'Brussels stamp'!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 25/09/08
More trouble for our troops
I WONDER how many sensible people welcome the prospects of an EU army possibly replacing NATO, especially when our measure of control over our own troops will effectively be surrendered to Brussels?
When we consider how disastrously the EU has handled relationships with Russia of late - it is clearly a matter of grave concern.
I WONDER how many sensible people welcome the prospects of an EU army possibly replacing NATO, especially when our measure of control over our own troops will effectively be surrendered to Brussels?
When we consider how disastrously the EU has handled relationships with Russia of late - it is clearly a matter of grave concern.
JASON SMITH, UK Independence Party Yorkshire Regional Secretary, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, BRADFORD.
Mirfield Reporter, 11/09/08
An alien concept?
SIR – Data from NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor and Odyssey missions has revealed that the ice caps of Mars’s South Pole have been diminishing for three summers in a row. Hadn’t somebody better tell those Martians to stop burning fossil fuels and stop building new airports?
SIR – Data from NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor and Odyssey missions has revealed that the ice caps of Mars’s South Pole have been diminishing for three summers in a row. Hadn’t somebody better tell those Martians to stop burning fossil fuels and stop building new airports?
Do these aliens not consider their carbon footprints? Maybe we should despatch the millionaire environmentalist David Cameron to have a photoshoot on Mars’s South Pole to highlight this latest environmental catastrophe.
Although, maybe there really aren’t any Martians and there is another explanation. Well, according to Habibullo Abdussamatov, the head of space research at St Petersburg’s Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory in Russia, “the long-term increase in solar irradiance is heating both Earth and Mars.” Mr Abdussamatov has studied fluctuations in the warmth of the sun and believes he can see a pattern that fits with the ups and downs in climate we see on Earth and Mars. Should we trust this eminent researcher and scientific NASA data or our “doom and gloom” politicians with their ulterior motives? Instead of “global warming” should this phenomena not be named “solar warming”?
Jason Smith (UK Independence Party Bradford chairman), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 28/08/08
A worrying trend
SIR – I was astounded when I heard that residents of Greater Manchester had been told by their local council to clean up graffiti on their fences or face a hefty £1,000 fine. The people who received these letters were not young hooligans armed with spray cans, but the victims of this graffiti crime, many of them elderly residents. In what is becoming a worrying trend, Bury Council are treating these victims as criminals.
SIR – I was astounded when I heard that residents of Greater Manchester had been told by their local council to clean up graffiti on their fences or face a hefty £1,000 fine. The people who received these letters were not young hooligans armed with spray cans, but the victims of this graffiti crime, many of them elderly residents. In what is becoming a worrying trend, Bury Council are treating these victims as criminals.
When questioned about the threatening letters received by the residents, the council stated that “We are happy to reword the letter but we stand by the sentiment.”
As a taxpayer, I expect the Council to serve me. After all, I pay for the service. I think the “writing is on the wall” for these controlling councils as I don’t think people are going to stand for this kind of attitude.
Jason Smith (UK Independence Party Bradford chairman), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 27/08/08
I AM always rather troubled by the naivety of those Eurosceptics who believe that the Conservatives can be entrusted with our future in the European Union based on their obvious “euroscepticism”.
From whence cometh this trust? Did not Ted Heath take us into the Common Market without a mandate? Did not he and his Government lie when the referendum came in 1975? Was it not John Major who took us into the constrictions of Maastricht? Has not Cameron reneged on removing the Tory Euro-MPs in Brussels from their pro-EU grouping? Was Thatcher not toppled for starting to turn against the EU when she began to recognise its inherent dangers? In power Tories whistle to the Brussels tune, out of power many pretend to be anti-EU.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman
Huddersfield Examiner, 22/08/08
If you love the EU, vote Conservative
I am always rather troubled by the naivety of those eurosceptics who believe the Conservatives can be entrusted with our future in the European Union based on their obvious euroscepticism.
I am always rather troubled by the naivety of those eurosceptics who believe the Conservatives can be entrusted with our future in the European Union based on their obvious euroscepticism.
From whence cometh this trust? Did not Heath take us into the Common Market without a mandate? Did not he and his government lie when the referendum came in 1975? Was it not Major who took us into the constrictions of Maastricht?
Has not Cameron reneged on removing the Tory MEPs in Brussels from their pro-EU grouping? Was Thatcher not toppled for starting to turn against the EU when she began to recognise its inherent dangers?
In power, the Tories whistle to the Brussels tune – out of power many pretend to be anti-EU.
Note how gently they have opposed the Lisbon Treaty. In practice, the majority want it, whether this resonates with the party faithful or not.
Let voters be in no doubts – if they love the EU, they do not have to vote Liberal Democrat or Labour or Green, they can vote Conservative in good conscience. As for the rest of us, there is only one non-extremist party of note still fighting the EU menace.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party, Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 22/08/08
Taking a stand
SIR – Good old Dave Cameron calling for bankruptcy help for business (Your Letters, July 15); that’s all well and good, and I’m sure welcome from businesses which are being hurt by the credit crunch.
SIR – Good old Dave Cameron calling for bankruptcy help for business (Your Letters, July 15); that’s all well and good, and I’m sure welcome from businesses which are being hurt by the credit crunch.
I just wonder if Mr Cameron has noticed that we mere citizens are struggling too with the credit crunch, with the number of house repossessions going through the roof.
Does he intend to help us out? I wonder if the multi-millionaire Tory leader has even considered our plight.
With New Labour cutting the 10p tax band and preparing to hurt us more with increased tax on old cars, the Tories obsessed with helping the rich and big business and the Lib Dems preparing to tax us even further into oblivion, just who is speaking for the common man?
I, for one, am. Who else will stand with me?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 13/08/08
Time for voting to go hands-free
I would like to thank Richard Corbett MEP for trying to justify the fact that he voted to not respect the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty (Courier, July 17).
I would like to thank Richard Corbett MEP for trying to justify the fact that he voted to not respect the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty (Courier, July 17).
Maybe votes in the EU parliament would be more transparent if votes were registered electronically as UKIP MEPs suggested, rather than having a show of hands and no record made of how they vote. Surely the people of Yorkshire deserve to know how their MEPs have voted?
I also noticed that Mr Corbett's letter came from Leeds. This is quite strange as he lives abroad.
Personally if I was elected as a Yorkshire MEP to serve the people of Yorkshire, I would spend some time in our region. I suppose this is not the case if you are a career politician like Mr Corbett.
Well it's goodnight from me, and its goodnight from him!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 09/08/08
Halifax Courier, 09/08/08
When Irish say no, they mean no!
The EU steamroller continues to plod on, leaving what is left of democracy in its wake.
Driving the steamroller into Ireland was French President Nicolas Sarkozy who "suggested" to the Irish prime minister that a second referendum should be held on the Lisbon Treaty, possibly on the same day as the EU elections next June.
The EU steamroller continues to plod on, leaving what is left of democracy in its wake.
Driving the steamroller into Ireland was French President Nicolas Sarkozy who "suggested" to the Irish prime minister that a second referendum should be held on the Lisbon Treaty, possibly on the same day as the EU elections next June.
Obviously the Irish didn't vote the right way so they should vote again.
I wonder if Mr Sarkozy would be suggesting the Irish vote again if they had voted in favour of the Lisbon Treaty?
Mr Sarkozy made a point to spend time with leaders of the No campaign in Ireland to hear their concerns. In fact, he spent a total of three minutes with each campaign group!
Declan Ganley, backer of No campaign group Libertas, said: "The most worrying thing about this meeting is the fact that clearly the message is not properly being heard, perhaps not even being heard at all.
"We have said 'no'. Clearly the Irish people are concerned about the rape of their democracy and loss of their national sovereignty.
Maybe somebody should explain to Mr Sarkozy that no means no!
Jason Smith, chairman, UK Independence Party, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Hull Daily Mail, 06/08/08
SIR – I would like to thank Malcolm Chapman for his continued support and information that UKIP have nine MEPs (Your Letters, July 30).
Indeed we do, and this is from an original slate of 12 MEPs elected in the last EU elections.
The reason we now have nine MEPs is that, unlike the other parties, if we get any ‘bad apples’, we kick them out like the rotten fruit they are.
It is also worth noting that UKIP are the only party that democratically elects their Euro MEP lists, all other parties’ MEP candidates are ‘selected’ from incumbent MEPs and politically-correct shortlists.
Mr Chapman states that UKIP policy is to vote ‘no’, abstain or not turn up in the chamber of the EU.
Our policy is very simple, we vote against any legislation that is not in our country’s national interest, we’re the only party that does this.
If the people of Yorkshire actually knew how their Labour, Tory and Lib-Dem MEPs voted, they would be absolutely horrified!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 05/08/08
Sir, As the debate on climate change rages on, I thought I should offer some information.
I have recently seen graphs of sunspot activity and there is to my mind a direct correlation between sun spot activity and rising Earth temperate. If you look at the spikes of sunspot activity and temperature peaks they are almost identical.
Coincidence, I think not.
Has anyone else noticed how the government has changed the terminology on this subject?
Has anyone else noticed how the government has changed the terminology on this subject?
First it was ‘global warming’, and now it is ‘climate change’. Does anyone else think this is interesting? Of course if the globe is not currently warming then global warming doesn’t work does it?
Of course you are safer with the term ‘climate change’ - how could you disagree with this, obviously the climate is going to change with the seasons?
I wonder what the forecast is for the government in the next couple of years? Lets hope its reign ending!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury. Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 01/08/08
Sir, I would like to accept Mr Stuart Baker’s wager on UKIP’s success at next years European Elections (T&A 24/7), he feels UKIP will lose ‘big time’. I and most political commentators do not agree, just look at the political climate in the country, we’ve got Labour supports vowing never to vote Labour again, we’ve got traditional Tories hanging their heads in shame at the David Cameron led Tory party.
As ALL parties have ignored their manifesto promise to give the people a referendum on the EU (Constitution) Lisbon Treaty, then the upcoming EU Elections are going to be the peoples chance to have their say on this issue.
With the Tories, New Labour and Lib Dems being pro-EU, this only leave UKIP for people who are eurosceptic, and remember the majority of the people are against the EU, it seems very clear that UKIP will have a very successful EU Elections.
Once back in the belly of the beast, we can once again uncover the EU for what it is, undemocratic and corrupt.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury. Bradford
Once back in the belly of the beast, we can once again uncover the EU for what it is, undemocratic and corrupt.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury. Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 31/07/08
SIR – I feel I must pick up Bob Cannell on a few points (Your Letters, July 25). Mr Cannell begins his letter with a statement that the “EU Commission is too powerful and unaccountable”: this is, of course correct.
But he claims the EU constitution/ Lisbon Treaty would transfer powers from the Commission to the EU Parliament: this is, of course, not correct. The Lisbon Treaty only serves to make member states less powerful with more veto losses in important areas.
The treaty’s self-amending clause allows the EU to change existing legislation on a whim. Not exactly protecting our interests, is it?
Mr Cannell congratulates the EU for forcing our elected government to implement regulations that might not be in our country’s interest and to force us to act on green issues.
Firstly, most of the regulations that come from the EU actually hurt business, especially small business, and as for green issues, many top scientists still do not accept the EU’s version of ‘climate change’. Even if EU law was good for our country, and in most cases it isn’t, what right has an unelected government to dictate to our elected government?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury. Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 30/07/08
I HAVE heard many people giving David Cameron kudos over his stance on automatic prison sentences for knife crime. Which is, of course, a very good policy, possibly a first for David.
Maybe Mr Cameron should have considered “knives” a few months ago when he was going around “hugging hoodies”; that could have been rather dangerous!
What is amazing about the David Cameron PR machine is that anyone actually believes any of it; or maybe people just have short-term memories. If sheep follow New Labour then goldfish must follow David Cameron’s Tories!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman
Huddersfield Examiner, 26/07/08
SIR – I would like to correct Malcolm Chapman (T&A, July 16) when he claims UKIP’s sole objective is to destroy Europe.
Of course we do not want to destroy Europe – why would we want to destroy a continent of which we are part of? We want to withdraw from the European Union, which is a lot different to destroying it.
If other countries are happy to lose their sovereignty, their liberties and billions of pounds a year for nothing in return, then that is their business. Our only concern is for our country and people.
Mr Chapman continued by saying that people are not concerned about the EU.
From my experience, and I move in many different circles, people are very concerned about it, especially people who have knowledge of how the EU works.
Mr Chapman says people are concerned instead about lack of jobs, rising prices etc.
Well, a lack of jobs is a direct result of the EU’s open-door immigration policy, rising food prices are not helped by the EU’s policy of paying farmers for not growing crops, and EU membership costs each family £60 per week, which would help families who are struggling financially.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 24/07/08
SIR – Brian Holmans is surprised that UKIP and the Lib Dems agree on 42 days detention (T&A, July 10).
I too am surprised that the Lib Dems are against this issue as they have become ‘part time’ Libertarians, defending our freedoms when it suits them.
The Lib Dems might claim to be against 42 days detention, but they are in favour, for example, of the EU arrest warrant which allows people to be extradited to other European countries without a shred of evidence.
These people then get ‘lost’ in the EU, but the Lib Dems don’t seem to be concerned about that.
The Lib Dems keep hammering on about how they are opposed to ID cards yet they refuse to talk about the proposed EU-wide ID card.
I wonder if our Lib Dem councillors have any comments? One thing is clear, if it’s a choice between our freedoms and the EU, then we know where the Lib Dems’ priorities lie, and it is not with our civil liberties.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 23/07/08
SIR – I would like to thank Mr Malcolm Chapman for his ‘Vote Jason Smith’ endorsement (T&A, July 8), alas, I fear, I shall not win the ‘Bore of the Year’ trophy as there is some fierce competition from other T&A letter writers. Mr Chapman then continues his tirade with “UKIP are a joke”.
I’d just like to offer Mr Chapman a little background as he sometimes struggles with his facts. The UK Independence Party is the UK’s fourth largest political party. We had 12 MEPs elected in the 2004 Elections where we beat the Lib Dems in to fourth place, and that was from a standing start.
We have two members of the House of Lords and recently have gained our first MP in Westminster. Not bad for a party only 15 years old. To many people this would be considered a meteoric rise. Mr Chapman ends his rant saying that I do not live in the real world. Well, I would prefer to live in a world of independence rather than his version of 1984, thanks very much.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 22/07/08
Sir, I have heard many people giving David Cameron kudos over his stance on automatic prison sentences for knife crime. Which is of course is a very good policy, possibly a first for David.
Maybe Mr Cameron should have considered 'knives' a few months ago when he was going around “hugging hoodies”, that could have been rather dangerous! What is amazing about the David Cameron’s PR machine is that anyone actually believes any of it, or maybe people just have short-term memories. If sheep follow New Labour then goldfish must follow David Cameron’s Tories!
Maybe Mr Cameron should have considered 'knives' a few months ago when he was going around “hugging hoodies”, that could have been rather dangerous! What is amazing about the David Cameron’s PR machine is that anyone actually believes any of it, or maybe people just have short-term memories. If sheep follow New Labour then goldfish must follow David Cameron’s Tories!
Jason Smith, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury. Bradford
Ceefax, 21/07/08
Ceefax, 21/07/08
Freedoms at stake
SIR – I seem to have hit a nerve with Malcolm Chapman (T&A, July 3) with my questions to him on 42 days’ detention.
SIR – I seem to have hit a nerve with Malcolm Chapman (T&A, July 3) with my questions to him on 42 days’ detention.
He managed to avoid answering my questions, instead answering with, “who do I think I am?” and “do I know how parliament works?”
If Mr Chapman reads any newspapers he will know who I am and I am very proud to speak for UKIP, the party of freedom.
I would like to reassure Mr Chapman that I am quite familiar with our parliament, as I visited Brussels just the other year and I can tell him it is a monstrosity devoid of logic and democracy.
Mr Chapman seems to think because 42-day detention was passed this is ‘end of story’ – it was voted in, it must be right then?
Presumably Mr Chapman supports the war in Iraq as that was also ‘voted in’? Mr Chapman would be better served actually looking into these issues rather than regurgitating the sound bites he hears from the media.
Of course terrorism is an issue but, the question is, should we sacrifice our long-held freedoms to ‘protect ourselves’ from them?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 16/07/08
Wide of the mark
SIR – Stuart Baker suggests that UKIP are highly likely to be wiped out in the upcoming European elections (T&A, July 8) It seems from his comment that Mr Baker has little knowledge of politics, as if he had he would have known that in the previous European (EU) elections, UKIP gained 12 MEPs with very little media coverage.
SIR – Stuart Baker suggests that UKIP are highly likely to be wiped out in the upcoming European elections (T&A, July 8) It seems from his comment that Mr Baker has little knowledge of politics, as if he had he would have known that in the previous European (EU) elections, UKIP gained 12 MEPs with very little media coverage.
We finished in third place in those elections, pushing the most pro-EU party, the Lib-Dems, into fourth place.
With their third-place finish last time, UKIP will receive good media coverage in the next elections on a par with the Conservatives and New Labour, and probably more publicity considering UKIP is the only party in UK politics proposing we govern ourselves.
Should Mr Baker ever venture out of his pro-EU cocoon, he would find that the vast majority of the public, both left and right, are worried about our country’s loss of sovereignty.
In a line that could have been delivered from an EU Commissioner, Mr Baker claims “Ireland did not say ‘no’ per se to Europe”.
You know what Mr Baker, you are right, they said no to the EU!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 11/07/08
SIR – I would like to respond to Bob Churchill (Letters, June 2), who opens his letter saying that due to Derren Brown and the “scientific revolution” most people know that mediumship and psychics are a fabrication. Of course that is his opinion and he in entitled to it but it is one that is not shared by everybody. Just because somebody does not believe in something, it does not make it untrue, or indeed fraudulent
Mr Churchill accuses me of jumping on a bandwagon to push my agenda; presumably my agenda is my desire to live in a free country and to be governed by an elected government in the UK. He seems to be implying that I have no knowledge of mediums and psychics. On the contrary I have had considerable exposure to these kinds of people and have found most to be decent people whose only mission in life is to help and guide others. Most mediums’ business comes via word of mouth, so bad mediums would tend not to survive anyway. I just wonder what was wrong with the 1951 Fraudulent Mediums Act. It seems to have served us well for more than 50 years.
JASON SMITH, UK Independence Party Yorkshire Regional Secretary, Bradford.
Worcester News, 04/07/08
Treaty tribulations
SIR – I would like to reply to Richard Corbett MEP regarding his comments on Ireland’s ‘No’ vote (T&A, July 1).
SIR – I would like to reply to Richard Corbett MEP regarding his comments on Ireland’s ‘No’ vote (T&A, July 1).
Mr Corbett believes we need to find a solution acceptable to all 27 EU states and he suggests Ireland must have a ‘profound internal debate to identify what they don’t like’.
Maybe they didn’t like the EU Lisbon Treaty and its subsequent erosion of their country’s sovereignty?
Mr Corbett advises he wants to see a ‘compromise’ – I would like to remind him that the Lisbon Treaty states it has to be passed by every member state in order to become law. It’s very simple; maybe Mr Corbett should revisit the treaty’s text.
Mr Corbett adds we must respect the Irish result. Then why did he and his EU federalist colleagues vote against Lisbon Treaty amendment 32 which asked that the European Parliament ‘undertake to respect the outcome of the referendum in Ireland’?
Maybe Mr Corbett would care to explain that to the people of Yorkshire, who he has allegedly been elected to serve?
It is clear that the EU fears democracy; bring on the EU elections in 2009 and let this be the UK’s referendum on the Lisbon Treaty!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 04/07/08
More housemates
SIR – As a fan of Big Brother – the reality show, not the ‘Neo’ Labour policy of control – I’d like to offer Paul Collins (T&A, June 26) some suggestions for his Big Brother house.
SIR – As a fan of Big Brother – the reality show, not the ‘Neo’ Labour policy of control – I’d like to offer Paul Collins (T&A, June 26) some suggestions for his Big Brother house.
How about demoted Tory councillor Andrew Mallinson and his nemesis, Kris Hopkins? I wonder how Kris Hopkins would enjoy being evicted?
Why not extend the invitations to other political figures? Let’s put Maud Marshall in there, to share some quality time with Bradford businessman John Pennington, so they can discuss the pros and cons of demolishing other historic Bradford landmarks.
I would also be interested to see one of our Shipley Green councillors meet up in the house with my colleague Philip Bird to discuss global warming, although I suspect their debates might get drowned out by the constant tweeting birds and, ironically, the many planes flying overhead! You always need a poor, hopeless case in there, so we’d have to send in one of our Labour councillors, and no Big Brother house would be complete without Yorkshire MEP Richard Corbett and his anti-UK ramblings.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 02/07/08
We need freedom
SIR – I see Malcolm Chapman has been sucked in to the Government’s climate of fear regarding 42 days detention without trial (T&A, June 18).
SIR – I see Malcolm Chapman has been sucked in to the Government’s climate of fear regarding 42 days detention without trial (T&A, June 18).
In Mr Chapman’s world, anyone who is accused of anything should be locked up indefinably, and we’ll worry about it later.
I’m sure he would be happy living in a country such as China, but personally I would prefer to live in a free country.
Would Mr Chapman be happy to see his family locked up for 42 days, then released without trial?
I say, if we have evidence that somebody is a terrorist, then lock them up for as long as it takes.
If you can’t find any evidence after a week of so, it probably means there isn’t any.
I reject the notion that we have to sacrifice some of our freedoms in order to protect us from terrorists, after all, are we not supposed to be fighting the terrorists to protect our freedom?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 01/07/08
SIR – Brian Holmans has asked me to provide an example of how 42 days’ detention without charge affects our civil liberties (T&A, June 20).
I would have thought that was obvious; surely being imprisoned without being charged deprives anyone of their basic rights.
If you are arresting somebody, surely you have some evidence of something. Or are they just being arrested on the off chance they might actually commit a crime down the line?
In Britain, are you not supposed to be innocent until proved guilty, not the other way around?
Mr Holmans adds that if we want to live in a country without civil rights we need to look no further than China or Zimbabwe – of course, that’s right, so why then are we trying to emulate their draconian laws?
Laws such as 42 days’ detention without trial could be a dangerous weapon in the hands of an undemocratic, fascist government.
Some might say we are well on the way to that, when you consider virtually all our laws are made in the undemocratic parliament in Brussels.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 30/06/08
SIR – What a result on Friday when the Irish said no to the EU's Lisbon Treaty, 862,415 votes to 752,451. Declan Ganley, of the anti-treaty lobby group Libertas, said: “It is a great day for Irish democracy,” while, unsurprisingly, EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said he didn’t think this was a vote against the EU.
So where does this leave the EU treaty? Well, this treaty requires that all member states ratify it before it can come into force. You might well think the treaty is dead but remember: this is the old EU Constitution, which was resurrected, like a zombie with a new wardrobe - could we be set for another resurrection?
It is also important to note that amendment 32 of the Lisbon Treaty, which asked that the European Parliament 'undertake to respect the outcome of the referendum in Ireland' was rejected by the EU, 499 MEPs voted against, only 129 voted in favour of this motion, and 33 abstentions.
It makes you wonder if anything can derail this undemocratic juggernaut.
Jason Smith, Yorkshire regional secretary, UK Independence Party
Metro, 18/06/08
42-day vote woes
SIR - Another nail was hammered in to the coffin containing our freedoms on Wednesday by the very authoritarian 'Neo' Labour Party.
SIR - Another nail was hammered in to the coffin containing our freedoms on Wednesday by the very authoritarian 'Neo' Labour Party.
The horrific vote and affront to common sense was won by only nine votes, with the balance being tipped by the nine Democratic Unionist MPs who were seemingly convinced to support the Government at the 11th hour.
As usual, our resident Bradford MPs, Sutcliffe, Singh and Rooney, also known as the 'three little sheep', supported this bill.
A total of 36 MPs rebelled, including our neighbouring Halifax MP, Linda Riordan - hats off to her!
I wonder how our three MPs would respond to being locked up in their sheep pens for 42 days without a trial?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 13/06/08
European army spells danger
POLISH MEP Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, head of the EU's foreign affairs committee, has called for it to spend more money on an EU army.
POLISH MEP Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, head of the EU's foreign affairs committee, has called for it to spend more money on an EU army.
He has said that EU foreign policy will move "from one era to another" thanks to the Lisbon Treaty with its foreign minister, diplomatic service and states' co-operation on defence.
There are already reservations in some states. German representatives are concerned that the army could go beyond the role of a peacekeeping force and in Britain there is reluctance by some to move towards an EU army.
These concerns might well fall on deaf ears as the EU foreign affairs committee is suggesting that the parliament, rather than the EU states, would have the final say on deployment under its flag.
The French have said that the beefing up of the military will be a key part of their EU presidency.
What a dangerous proposal that our troops could be deployed in areas of the world without the consent of our Government and EU troops could be deployed in the UK as a rapid reaction force to deal with civil unrest in our country.
Jason Smith, (Chairman, UK Independence Party, Bradford), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Halifax Courier, 12/06/08
Halifax Courier, 12/06/08
Influential journalist Philip Stephens has let the cat out of the Tory bag. He has revealed that David Cameron considers the EU to be in seventh or eighth place on his list of campaigning priorities.
He also claims that "Cameron will be as relieved as Brown when the Queen finally attaches her assent to Britain's ratification of the Lisbon Treaty".
We must never forget that the Tories are as fundamentally Europhile as either Labour or Lib Dems. They just pretend otherwise.
Jason Smith, (Chairman, UK Independence Party, Bradford), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Halifax Courier, 02/06/08
Halifax Courier, 02/06/08
A simple question
SIR - Unlike the House of Commons, the House of Lords have been having a proper debate on the Treaty of Lisbon (EU Constitution). UKIP Lords had proposed an amendment calling for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU.
SIR - Unlike the House of Commons, the House of Lords have been having a proper debate on the Treaty of Lisbon (EU Constitution). UKIP Lords had proposed an amendment calling for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU.
You would have thought the Lib-Dem Lords would have been first in line to support this amendment as it is, after all, the Lib-Dems' party line. Indeed they voted against their manifesto promise of giving the people a referendum on the 'treaty' for this reason, because they believed the question should be one of 'in or out'.
Rather than support this amendment for a referendum on 'in or out of the EU', the Lib-Dems once again abstained, showing what a totally dishonest party they really are.
Jason Smith (UK Independence Party Bradford chairman), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Jason Smith (UK Independence Party Bradford chairman), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 30/05/08
Euro law could stop mediums' work
LAST month we saw representatives of British mediums marching up Downing Street in protest at the Government's decision to repeal the 1951 Fraudulent Mediums Act in favour of a new EU directive.
The current legislation guarantees spiritual mediums legal protection, penalising only those who seek to deceive the public. The fear is that this EU directive will not afford good mediums legal protection, which could see them taken to court if the client does not believe or want to accept the information given.
Whether you believe in mediumship or not, it must surely be right that they are allowed to practice their religion.
This legislation could see the end of the work of many mediums who often give comfort to people who are grieving for loved ones. I have found most mediums to be decent people, their work often being a labour of love.
It also begs the question as to why we are repealing laws that have been in effect for many years and have served us well. The answer is, of course, because the EU says so.
I see the EU heading for troubled times!
LAST month we saw representatives of British mediums marching up Downing Street in protest at the Government's decision to repeal the 1951 Fraudulent Mediums Act in favour of a new EU directive.
The current legislation guarantees spiritual mediums legal protection, penalising only those who seek to deceive the public. The fear is that this EU directive will not afford good mediums legal protection, which could see them taken to court if the client does not believe or want to accept the information given.
Whether you believe in mediumship or not, it must surely be right that they are allowed to practice their religion.
This legislation could see the end of the work of many mediums who often give comfort to people who are grieving for loved ones. I have found most mediums to be decent people, their work often being a labour of love.
It also begs the question as to why we are repealing laws that have been in effect for many years and have served us well. The answer is, of course, because the EU says so.
I see the EU heading for troubled times!
Jason Smith, (Chairman, UK Independence Party, Bradford), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Halifax Courier, 30/05/08
Sir -Last month we saw representatives of the British mediums marching up Downing Street in protest at the Government's decision to repeal the 1951 Fraudulent Mediums Act in favour of a new EU directive.
The current legislation guarantees spiritual mediums legal protection, penalising only those who seek to deceive the public. The fear is that this EU directive will not afford good mediums legal protection which could see them taken to court if the client does not want to accept the information given.
This legislation could see the end of the work of many mediums.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Yorkshire regional secretary.
Worcester News, 29/05/08
Terror laws are trouble for Brown
SIR - Hot on the heels of abolishing the 10p tax band, essentially robbing the poor to give to the richer, Prime Minister Gordon Brown looks set to continue his downward spiral in to political oblivion.
SIR - Hot on the heels of abolishing the 10p tax band, essentially robbing the poor to give to the richer, Prime Minister Gordon Brown looks set to continue his downward spiral in to political oblivion.
Mr Brown's next, probably unsuccessful, attack will be on our civil liberties, and his umpteenth attempt to extend the length of time terrorist suspects can be locked up without trial, from 28 days to 42 days.
What Mr Brown is proposing is locking up somebody, without charge or trial.
Of course, Mr Brown and his henchmen will tell you that this is only to be used against terrorists, but they won't tell you that the terror laws' are so broad that almost anyone could be classed as a terrorist' these days.
New Labour's line between citizen and terrorist has become blurred of late. Terror laws have been used to arrest peace protestors and spy on families and children.
The fact that we already hold people longer than most other countries and the lack of any justification whatever for this extension, doesn't seem to be stopping Mr Brown and his followers from further eroding our rights.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 27/05/08
WIRRAL Council have announced that in order to "encourage" recycling, anyone who does not recycle will be fined £100, they all also considering fines for people who continually leave their bins out on the pavement.
There have been a number of stories where people have been fined and even charged for the "heinous" crime of leaving their bin lid a few inches open.
The comments of David Green, Wirral's aptly-named director of technical services, were very telling: "This is not just about saving the environment, which is obviously very important, but it is also about keeping council tax costs down."
I would suggest this "rubbish" policy is all to do with keeping council costs down. Councils are no doubt concerned about the impending multi-million pound fines, which will be levied against them as a result of the EU Landfills Directive, and since they have been hit by the EU big stick, they now intend to hit us in return.
Instead of fining people for not recycling, I would like to see tax incentives that reward people for recycling rather than reprimanding them.
Jason Smith, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford.
Yorkshire Post, 27/05/08
Tribunal victory
SIR - There was a victory for the people last week when the House of Commons lost its High Court battle against the decision to force the disclosure of MPs expenses.
SIR - There was a victory for the people last week when the House of Commons lost its High Court battle against the decision to force the disclosure of MPs expenses.
The Commons claimed the Information Tribunal's demand for disclosure of a detailed receipt-by-receipt breakdown of expenses for 14 MPs, including Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron was "unlawfully intrusive".
Thankfully, the Tribunal voted against the MPs in favour of their accountability. The Commons also failed to overturn the demand that MPs addresses could not be published. The Commons believed this should not happen on security grounds.
I think this decision was pretty fair, after all, the majority of our addresses, and indeed personal details, are almost certainly in the public domain thanks to the Government losing our personal data.
The High Court ruling has made it clear that in a democracy, it is the people who are the masters and politicians must be directly accountable to them, something I think most politicians have forgotten!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 21/05/08
Mallinson shows he has guts to speak out
SIR - I would like to congratulate you on a nice piece of journalism.
SIR - I would like to congratulate you on a nice piece of journalism.
Your article Regeneration chief is sacked in row' (T&A, May 14) was a great insight in to the workings of City Hall and how the old parties operate.
Conservative leader Kris Hopkins's firing of regeneration chief Andrew Mallinson because of his 'disloyalty' just shows what life is like in the Tories and, I suspect, New Labour.
If Coun Mallinson had have been fired because of the lack of regeneration in Bradford, then I would be applauding Mr Hopkins.
But this was not the case, the reason being was Coun Mallinson had the audacity to mount a challenge for the deputy leadership. It seems whether you do a good job or not does not matter, it is if you are willing to 'tow the line' and be a sheep.
I have been very unimpressed with Coun Mallinson's lack of city centre regeneration, but I was impressed that he had the guts to speak out against Coun Hopkins, who seemingly is the epitome of a career politician.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 20/05/08
TRUST the European Union to be all flash and no substance (Yorkshire Post, May 7). Back in March, empty promises were made that the Solidarity Fund would pour £110m into flood-hit areas.
For once, we mistakenly thought that we were "getting a little bit back". Well indeed we are, but the "little bit" has now drained away to "a tiny bit" – about one third of what was promised.
I do hope that all flood victims and fair minded people will remember this when the EU elections come around.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Yorkshire Regional Secretary, Bradford.
Yorkshire Post, 13/05/08
Gotta have faith?
SIR - Tony Blair, he's such a comedian! Apparently, he plans to set up a Tony Blair Faith Foundation', which he hopes will bring different faiths together.
SIR - Tony Blair, he's such a comedian! Apparently, he plans to set up a Tony Blair Faith Foundation', which he hopes will bring different faiths together.
Actually, hang on, it's not a joke - he is really going to do it!
Blair as Middle East Peace Envoy was bad enough, now he's a faith leader!
You really would struggle to find anyone less suitable for these roles than Tony. What's next? Robert Mugabe winning the Nobel Peace Prize?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 06/05/08
I FULLY endorse FIFA's proposal of quotas of foreign players in football clubs, which suggests that they should allow no more than five non-nationals on the pitch at any time.
To me this is the only way we are going to promote and develop our young footballers, which might lead in time to our national team actually winning something, or at the very least qualifying for a championship.
To me this is the only way we are going to promote and develop our young footballers, which might lead in time to our national team actually winning something, or at the very least qualifying for a championship.
But, hang on the minute, let's stop play, the EU Commission isn't happy!
The FIFA decision is expected to conflict with European Union law which says you cannot discriminate on workers based on their nationality.
In terms of English football, FIFA versus the EU could be a very interesting game, let us hope for the sake of our national game that FIFA soundly defeat them.
A friend recently asked "why can't the EU just go away", or words to that effect.
The answer is they won't go away, unless we, as a country tell them to!
JASON SMITH, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, BRADFORD
Spenborough Guardian, 02/05/08
£50bn cost of Britain
According to Budget figures Britain will give the EU £6.1 billion next year, after rebate and after deduction of grants from our contribution.
In 2009-10 the net will be £6.4 billion.
I consider myself compassionate, ever ready to lend help to charities dealing with the Third World.
I am not so happy to learn that these massive increases are largely to help Bulgaria and Rumania – not exactly Third World, just poorer than us.
Even these enormous figures are dwarfed by the £50 billion-plus a year cost of membership of the EU when all factors are considered.
According to Budget figures Britain will give the EU £6.1 billion next year, after rebate and after deduction of grants from our contribution.
In 2009-10 the net will be £6.4 billion.
I consider myself compassionate, ever ready to lend help to charities dealing with the Third World.
I am not so happy to learn that these massive increases are largely to help Bulgaria and Rumania – not exactly Third World, just poorer than us.
Even these enormous figures are dwarfed by the £50 billion-plus a year cost of membership of the EU when all factors are considered.
Jason Smith, (UKIP, Bradford), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 29/04/08
OUR Bradford Labour MPs are not very competent but they never fail to amuse.
The latest chuckle came from the revelation that Bradford South MP and Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe didn't actually mean what he said – or was it that he didn't know what he was meant to say?
Mr Sutcliffe was quoted as saying that alcohol tax hikes were wrong, which has now been amended to alcohol tax hikes were right!
This is not uncharacteristic of Gerry Sutcliffe as, when I stood against him in 2005, he stood on a manifesto commitment to give people a vote on the EU constitution treaty. He recently voted against us being able to have such a vote.
Mr Sutcliffe claims that he is a "champion of the pub trade; is that why his party voted to ban smoking in pubs?
If you were a pub "champion" would you not have allowed pubs to have a smoking room or smoking area?
I am not a smoker myself but I believe pubs should be allowed to choose whether to have a smoking area or not.
Jason Smith, (Chairman, UK Independence Party, Bradford), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 12/04/08
If You listened to the power-crazed Labour Party you might well believe anyone who opposes the EU is either a xenophobe, mentally ill or worse.
The reality is many people, from different parties, oppose the undemocratic super state.For example, an MP recently said of the EU: "As Europe (the EU) has grown, it has become less democratic and more centralised. Legislation is not properly scrutinised. It has its own momentum, overriding both national and European Parliaments."
He continues: "For the sake of democracy, I must oppose this treaty and support calls for a referendum on it."
This is not a quote from one of my UKIP colleagues, a Euro-sceptic Tory, or a lunatic. It was from Lib Dem MP Richard Younger-Ross, shadow minister for culture, media and sport, who is also a member of the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee.
This is not a quote from one of my UKIP colleagues, a Euro-sceptic Tory, or a lunatic. It was from Lib Dem MP Richard Younger-Ross, shadow minister for culture, media and sport, who is also a member of the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee.
Let us hope that some of Mr Younger-Ross's colleagues also take the time to study the EU and will wake up to its dangers.
Isn't it bizarre that the Liberal Democrats claim to be the party of democracy yet they are so fanatically in favour of the very undemocratic EU?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party, Yorkshire Regional Secretary.
Scunthorpe Telegraph, 12/04/08
April fools?
SIR - How ironic is it that once again it is the appointed House of Lords who are standing up for the people of Britain?
SIR - How ironic is it that once again it is the appointed House of Lords who are standing up for the people of Britain?
On April 1, the House of Lords' Economic Affairs Committee published a report rejecting the Government's argument that a high level of immigration is of economic benefit to the UK.
Their report stated that while the level of immigration in recent years has raised GDP it has had no positive impact on the living standards of the existing population and has seen reduced living standards of the low waged.
When the Government claims mass immigration is good for our economy, what they actually mean is that mass immigration is good for business leaders.
When this issue was brought up on Question Time, the old parties spokesman looked confused and frightened, but they all agreed on one policy "we cannot limit immigrants from the EU".
Was that an admission that the UK is no longer a sovereign country, or was that just an admission of their lack of backbone?
The old 'mass-immigration' parties have proved that even in the light of this damning report, they are not prepared to stand up for the people.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 10/04/08
WRONG TO KEEP 'INNOCENT' DNA
Robin Downs welcomes a DNA database (Scunthorpe Telegraph, March 27) and seems to support the Government line we must sacrifice some of your freedoms in order to have security.
Robin Downs welcomes a DNA database (Scunthorpe Telegraph, March 27) and seems to support the Government line we must sacrifice some of your freedoms in order to have security.
Morally I think the case for keeping non-criminals' DNA is wrong. Why should law-abiding citizens' DNA be stored by the Government? The Government is elected to serve us, not the other way around. I wonder, could we trust our Government to not sell or misuse this information?
Aside from the moral issues, DNA can very easily be passed from person to person and can be intentionally dropped at crime scenes, by way of say a cigarette butt, to implicate somebody else.
Would Mr Downs be as willing to accept prosecution for a crime he did not commit, just based on DNA evidence?
If a national DNA database came into being, it would surely only be a matter of time before our DNA was added to the ID cards' National Identity Register. This then opens up a whole can of worms where people could be refused certain medical care due to certain genetic traits.
Do you really want to live in George Orwell's 1984?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party, Yorkshire Regional Secretary.
Scunthorpe Telegraph, 09/04/08
SIR - Re your report "Landfill tax should help fund recycling" (T&A, March 24). People might wonder why the Government is fining councils for creating rubbish.
The simple answer is the Government is doing what it has been told by the EU government in Brussels. This is all about EU regulation 1999/31, the EU Landfill Directive.
The EU has set a limit of how much rubbish we can send to landfill, and our Government will be fined for any additional rubbish it sends, which will be passed down to the individual councils.
This cost will inevitably be passed down to us via increased council tax and with fines of £13 million per year, this could be very costly for everyone.
Jason Smith (UK Independence Party Bradford), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 08/04/08
ACCORDING to Budget figures, Britain will give the EU £6.1bn next year, after rebate and after deduction of grants from our contribution. (In 2009-10, the net will be £6.4bn.)
I consider myself compassionate, ever ready to help charities dealing with the Third World. I am not so happy to learn that these massive increases are largely to help Bulgaria and Romania – not exactly the Third World, just poorer than us.
These figures are enormous but dwarfed by the £50bn-plus that membership of the EU costs annually when all factors are considered.
Jason Smith, Yorkshire regional secretary, UKIP.
Yorkshire Post, 02/04/08
Treaty ‘lowlights’
SIR - Mr John Hall is struggling to understand people's apprehension over the EU constitution, sorry, Lisbon Treaty (T&A, March 25).
SIR - Mr John Hall is struggling to understand people's apprehension over the EU constitution, sorry, Lisbon Treaty (T&A, March 25).
This is entirely understandable as the Treaty was meant to be unreadable. In fact, many MPs have openly admitted they do not fully understand it, although if you have met any MPs, that might not surprise you!
For the benefit of Mr Hall, here are the 'lowlights' of the "treaty".
The EU (Constitution) Lisbon Treaty establishes a legally new European Union in the constitutional form of a supranational European State.
It empowers this new European Union to act as a state.
It makes us all citizens of this new European Union.
It creates a Union Parliament for the Union's new citizens.
It creates a Cabinet Government of the new Union.
It creates a new Union political president, possibly Tony Blair!
It creates a civil rights code for the new Union's citizens.
Most importantly, it makes national parliaments subordinate to the new Union and gives the new Union self-empowerment powers.
The EU (Constitution) Lisbon Treaty establishes a legally new European Union in the constitutional form of a supranational European State.
It empowers this new European Union to act as a state.
It makes us all citizens of this new European Union.
It creates a Union Parliament for the Union's new citizens.
It creates a Cabinet Government of the new Union.
It creates a new Union political president, possibly Tony Blair!
It creates a civil rights code for the new Union's citizens.
Most importantly, it makes national parliaments subordinate to the new Union and gives the new Union self-empowerment powers.
I hope, now, Mr Hall understands people's apprehension towards the EU constitution.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 01/04/08
Freedom to vote
SIR - The suggestion that 12 Ministers could quit over the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill highlights an interesting situation, not just about embryo research but about free votes in Parliament.
SIR - The suggestion that 12 Ministers could quit over the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill highlights an interesting situation, not just about embryo research but about free votes in Parliament.
New Labour is increasingly looking like a dictatorial party, three-line whips and MP intimidation are commonplace.
I can see times when an MP might be forced to vote with his party, for example if the policy in question was a part of the party's manifesto, which the MP signed up to and stood at an election supporting.
In these cases I believe it is right that MPs vote as they collectively pledged. Of course it is also their right to defy the party and pay the consequences if they wish.
On moral issues such as embryo research, an issue which I do not believe was in their manifesto, I fully support the MPs' right to vote with their conscience or the collective conscience of their constituents.
I personally would vote against this Bill, as I believe it is morally wrong, but I would support an individual's right to vote with their conscience and so should Gordon Brown!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 31/03/08
Obesity reasons
SIR - I am once again amazed by the lengths to which the Government will go to intrude into our lives and attempt to control every part of it.
SIR - I am once again amazed by the lengths to which the Government will go to intrude into our lives and attempt to control every part of it.
There are increasing instances where social workers are threatening to take children in to care because they claim they are obese.
I am not condoning families who have fat children but as a therapist I have to say there can be other reasons why children could be obese. A child's mental state contributes to this - maybe this is something that social workers should be looking into?
Indeed in one such case the parents claim all their children's food is home-cooked and they are not fed any junk food.
Why are children not removed from families where violence, suicide and drugs abuse are present but are removed when the children are overweight?
My tip for any parent of obese children would be to buy them a Nintendo Wii. They will be slim and trim in no time at all!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 28/03/08
Sir, I believe Attorney General Lord Goldsmith was right to suggest that all children should swear oaths of allegiance to our Queen and country (T&A March 12), although I would like to think all our citizens would be willing to swear allegiance.
Councillor David Ward believes this might put “unfair pressure on young people”.
I do not think our children are that fragile and I would worry is anybody would not be wiling swear allegiance. Surly if all children in Bradford did this, would it not send a message out to the population of Bradford saying that we are all stand together and are proud to be British citizens?
Of course this alone will not address the issues of loss of national pride. This needs to be tackled in schools, where children should be taught about our great history and our many great people, instead of being conditioned to believe being proud of your country and its history is wrong.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury. Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 27/03/08
SIR - I couldn't agree more with Peter Bolton (T&A, March 13) with regard to controlling our population numbers.
We are heading for troubled times in Britain, because of our spiralling population, due both to immigration and population explosions.
I fear we shall soon be experiencing higher food prices as the demand for food rises. The EU's common agricultural policy, which, ironically, financially rewards farmers for not growing crops, is also not helping.
I believe the next thing we will be told is that we need to accept GM foods, which can produce better crop yields but which also brings with it many health concerns.
The easy solution is to take back control of our borders, but the old parties have not got the bottle to do that. The other alternative is to change the tax system so it is not financially beneficial to have numerous children.
All this is immaterial though as the Regional Assembly, which controls policy in Yorkshire, believes Bradford's soaring population is positive.
Of course a massive population benefits big business, but does not benefit the residents of Bradford who see their green land disappearing.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 25/03/08
Another day, another Government scandal ???
The latest instalment of what is increasingly looking like a New Labour stand-up comedy show was based around rendition flights - or 'torture' flights to the man in the street. In 2005, 2006 and 2007 then Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Prime Minister Tony Blair stated on numerous occasions there was 'no evidence' rendition flights had stopped on UK territory. The scene moves to 2008 with current Foreign Secretary David Miliband announcing 'Let me put this in a slightly different way; yes, there is (evidence)'.
The show would be funny if it was fictional, but unfortunately we are talking about real life and serious issues.
I hear Tony Blair is preparing to star in a new comedy show entitled 'EU President'. That is sure to be a ratings disaster!
I hear Tony Blair is preparing to star in a new comedy show entitled 'EU President'. That is sure to be a ratings disaster!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Yorkshire regional secretary, Bradford.
Scunthorpe Telegraph, 25/03/08
Rooftop protesters made a point
I HAD to laugh when I saw Plane Stupid protesting on the roof of the Houses of Parliament.
I HAD to laugh when I saw Plane Stupid protesting on the roof of the Houses of Parliament.
How ironic that it was the Government that initially whipped up fear that the end is nigh due to climate change and it is the Government that is suffering because people are taking action to prevent it!
While I do not subscribe to the view of Plane Stupid that we are doomed due to climate change, I think the group made a very good point in relation to the Government, that being that the Government has been corrupted.
The protesters claim that documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act prove that BAA wrote parts of the consultation document and that the Government had already decided to build a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow.
This exhibition of free speech also brings up another question: with the Government's obsession with terrorism how were the protestors allowed to gain access to the Parliament building?
Maybe if the Government spent as much time on monitoring our sensitive buildings as it does on monitoring innocent people through its obsession with CCTV, ID cards and databases, we might not see these security breaches.
Jason Smith, (Chairman, UK Independence Party, Bradford), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Halifax Courier, 14/03/08
No vote for us
SIR - I would like to name and shame our three Bradford MPs who voted last week to deny their constituents of Bradford and the UK a vote on the EU Lisbon Treaty, more commonly known as the EU Constitution.
SIR - I would like to name and shame our three Bradford MPs who voted last week to deny their constituents of Bradford and the UK a vote on the EU Lisbon Treaty, more commonly known as the EU Constitution.
Gerry Sutciffe, Terry Rooney and Marsha Singh all voted against the amendment to allow a referendum on the EU treaty, even though they were elected at the last general election on a manifesto promise that they would grant the people a vote on this very important constitutional issue.
These people are not interested in listening to the public, at least not until the next election, when they will all come out of the woodwork and pledge more things they have no intention of delivering.
I was pleasantly surprised to see 14 Lib-Dem MPs defy their leader and a three-line whip and vote to allow the people a voice. Remember, the Lib-Dems also promised a referendum on the EU treaty.
People are notorious for having short memories, but I hope the people of Bradford will remember the betrayal by their MPs. Maybe we should all refuse to cast votes for them in return.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 14/03/08
Sir, As a former resident of Wibsey I was very interested to see the Last Orders documentary centered around the Wibsey Working Mens club.
The documentary highlighted just how isolated many people in the villages of Bradford feel. If you visit any pub in any village you will hear the same kind of things, but of course our ward councilors do not want to accept this.
The documentary rightly highlighted Bradford as a “segregated” city and “an experiment in multiculturalism”, an experiment I and thousands believe has failed, miserably.
The residents felt betrayed by Labour, formally the party of the working man, but now the party of immigration and low wages. Labour councilors should not be “disappointed”, they should be thoroughly ashamed!
Bradford’s problems are not going to be solved by a ‘mirror pool’, but by tough decisions. We urgently need to bring back a sense of fairness to Bradford where its entire people are treated equally.
If the council fail to act then the extremists from both sides will continue to gain support and that is a place nobody wants to go.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Telegraph & Argus, 11/03/08
Change the law
SIR - I read with interest the article Rise in birth defects is top priority' (T&A, February 14) relating to marrying first cousins.
SIR - I read with interest the article Rise in birth defects is top priority' (T&A, February 14) relating to marrying first cousins.
MP Ann Cryer called for community leaders to encourage debate to move more families away from marriages between cousins. I would like to see the Government go further.
If the evidence is there that marrying cousins increases the chances of having children with disabilities, which it seems it is, then the practice should be outlawed.
Once the Government has given in to public pressure to outlaw forced marriage, which in itself is probably at least partly responsible for people marrying cousins, the next stage must be to make the marrying of cousins illegal.
Once the Government has given in to public pressure to outlaw forced marriage, which in itself is probably at least partly responsible for people marrying cousins, the next stage must be to make the marrying of cousins illegal.
The hurdle for the Government is going to be their and the EU's support of multiculturalism, which allows these traditions to operate.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 10/03/08
Cameron is just talking tough
I WAS interested to read that David Cameron has denounced forced marriages.
Of course, Mr Cameron is correct; the 300 cases a year are almost certainly the tip of the iceberg and it is a disgrace that New Labour allows this vile tradition to operate in Britain.
It is always nice to see Mr Cameron borrowing another one of our policies but I wonder if anyone actually believes that he believes this?
I think the real reason for the announcement is more to do with Cameron's thought that the city is vital in his party's battle to win the next General Election.
Even if Mr Cameron was going to follow through on outlawing forced marriages, then he would still have to go cap in hand to the EU and ask if he could do it. Remember, by 2009 we are governed by the parliament in Brussels.
How genuine is David Camer-on? Well, even though his party is trying to talk tough on the EU treaty he has categorically refused to hold a referendum on the EU should his party come in to power. I think there lies the answer.
I WAS interested to read that David Cameron has denounced forced marriages.
Of course, Mr Cameron is correct; the 300 cases a year are almost certainly the tip of the iceberg and it is a disgrace that New Labour allows this vile tradition to operate in Britain.
It is always nice to see Mr Cameron borrowing another one of our policies but I wonder if anyone actually believes that he believes this?
I think the real reason for the announcement is more to do with Cameron's thought that the city is vital in his party's battle to win the next General Election.
Even if Mr Cameron was going to follow through on outlawing forced marriages, then he would still have to go cap in hand to the EU and ask if he could do it. Remember, by 2009 we are governed by the parliament in Brussels.
How genuine is David Camer-on? Well, even though his party is trying to talk tough on the EU treaty he has categorically refused to hold a referendum on the EU should his party come in to power. I think there lies the answer.
Jason Smith, (chairman, UK Independence Party, Bradford), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 07/03/08
It Was good to see the killer of Sally Anne Bowman brought to justice, but I cannot support calls to have every citizen's DNA stored on a national database.
The detective who led the investigation said because the killer Mark Dixie's DNA was on the existing database and he was convicted through DNA technology, it justifies recording everyone's DNA. Firstly, this killer was already on the DNA database because presumably he had previously committed a crime.
Having a convicted criminal's DNA is perfectly acceptable, but should innocent people also be treated like criminals?
Let us also remember, just because DNA is a match, it is not conclusive proof of anything.
Let us also remember, just because DNA is a match, it is not conclusive proof of anything.
DNA can easily be passed from person to person by simply brushing by them and there is even a suggestion some criminals intentionally drop other people's DNA at crime scenes.
And before everybody starts writing in and saying 'if you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to fear', just consider this.
If you subscribe to that view, then would you be willing to have a microchip implanted in your body to track you? This would also reduce crime, but would also severely reduce your freedom!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party, Yorkshire regional secretary, Bradford.
Scunthorpe Telegraph, 06/03/08
No to DNA base Just West Yorkshire, 8/03/08
More ‘evidence’
SIR - Brian Holmans argues that I never provide evidence against the dangers of the EU (T&A, February 25). I would take issue with that but let me offer some evidence' for Mr Holmans to chew over. The EU is clearly undemocratic. Legislation can only be proposed by the EU Commission which is appointed rather than elected. The only body elected is the EU parliament and it has no legislative power. It could also be argued we do not vote for MEPs themselves, as we vote for the party rather than the person.
SIR - Brian Holmans argues that I never provide evidence against the dangers of the EU (T&A, February 25). I would take issue with that but let me offer some evidence' for Mr Holmans to chew over. The EU is clearly undemocratic. Legislation can only be proposed by the EU Commission which is appointed rather than elected. The only body elected is the EU parliament and it has no legislative power. It could also be argued we do not vote for MEPs themselves, as we vote for the party rather than the person.
The EU is essentially run via big business though their lobbying of the legislative body, the Commission. A good example of this is the draconian food legislation from the EU. We have already seen hundreds of safe, natural health remedies banned to make way for the big pharmaceuticals' synthetic alternatives.
Then you've got the EU's wealth of draconian legislation. There are too many to mention but they include the EU arrest warrant where you can be extradited to another EU country with no evidence and then there's the EU ID card which the old parties won't tell you about!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 05/03/08
Mosquitos not answer
I WAS concerned to hear that the Spen Valley area committee has granted funding for two more "mosquito" devices.
I totally support the ban on these devices as proposed by children’s commissioner Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green as I don’t believe this is the right way to tackle anti-social behaviour.
I WAS concerned to hear that the Spen Valley area committee has granted funding for two more "mosquito" devices.
I totally support the ban on these devices as proposed by children’s commissioner Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green as I don’t believe this is the right way to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Apparently these devices can only be heard by people under the age of 25, so are Kirklees Council saying that everyone under 25 is a nuisance?
If you listened to the media you might well think this is the case, but of course it’s not true, the majority of young people are decent and law abiding.
Is it fair to attack all youngsters because of a few troublemakers?
As these devices seems to have more affect on younger people, has anyone wondered what effect these might have on babies or small children, or are these areas to be “no-go” for people with young children?
The reality is, these devices will not stop anti-social behaviour, they will just relocate it.
Instead of purchasing more mosquitoes, wouldn’t it be better for Kirklees council to increase the police presence in these troubled areas?
JASON SMITH, Chairman, UK INDEPENDENCE PARTY BRADFORD
Spenborough Guardian, 22/02/08
Wrong solution to dental problems
SIR - I shook my head when I read Minister reopens fluoride debate' (T&A, February 5). Isn't this the same debate they opened last year and the year before?
SIR - I shook my head when I read Minister reopens fluoride debate' (T&A, February 5). Isn't this the same debate they opened last year and the year before?
MP Alan Johnson said: "Whenever the public are tested on this question, they believe there should be fluoridation".
This is completely at odds with the truth; in every area where fluoridation has been proposed the people have soundly rejected it.
On the health implications Mr Johnson said: "There is absolutely no clinical evidence whatsoever that links fluoridation with anything other than fluorosis".
That is untrue. Indeed, water fluoridation has been linked to skeletal fluorosis, bone cancer, bladder cancer, but most worryingly, in China's human studies, they found damage to brain tissue.
Even if this wasn't true, the minister admitted water fluoridation caused (dental) fluorosis which is damage to the teeth enamel? So rather than improve dental hygiene fluoridation does the opposite.
The government claims the teeth of children in Bradford and Airedale are in a very bad state. If that is true, could I suggest they ensure everybody in the district can have access to a dentist.
Now that might improve dental health!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 20/02/08
I WAS concerned to read that forced marriages in Bradford had topped 400 last year, it was even suggested that the figure could be much higher.
The article highlighted a case of a 14 year old girl who was “married off”. As she was under age, I would hope the girl’s family and groom were prosecuted, as this clearly is not acceptable in our culture. It really is about time the government acted to stop this foul tradition as the once- tolerant British society is beginning to lose its rag.
Forced marriage is just another by-product of the destructive policies of multiculturalism, letting minority groups play by their own rules is clearly not a good idea. Could we imagine how much worse this might get if we introduced some aspects of Sharia Law in to Britain as some are proposing?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman
Huddersfield Examiner, 16/02/08
The UK Independence Party (UKIP) in Bradford has called for the resignation of the boss of the city's regeneration company.
Following a heated meeting earlier this week when Bradford Centre Regeneration (BCR) chiefs clashed with members of the public over plans for the city centre, UKIP wants to see BCR chief executive, Maud Marshall, step down from her post because of what it calls "BCR's failure to deliver on their plans to regenerate Bradford."
Following a heated meeting earlier this week when Bradford Centre Regeneration (BCR) chiefs clashed with members of the public over plans for the city centre, UKIP wants to see BCR chief executive, Maud Marshall, step down from her post because of what it calls "BCR's failure to deliver on their plans to regenerate Bradford."
UKIP Bradford chairman, Jason Smith, was among over 200 people who attended the meeting which included a presentation on the regeneration company's plans for the future and the progress it has made in the past five years.
Mr Smith said: "The presentation was very professional, but it was only a vision of what they intended to deliver – after five years in charge they have achieved virtually nothing of substance in Bradford.
"What kind of business would bulldoze an entire area of the city without any firm assurances of when or if the development could be delivered; this is sheer incompetence on the part of the Bradford Centre Regeneration. Their failure to consider saving the iconic Odeon building goes to prove that their claims of listening to the people of Bradford are simply untrue.
"It was clear from the BCR event that they are no further forward with their regeneration plans and that they have failed miserably to engage the people of Bradford. It is clear that somebody must take responsibility for this debacle."
BCR, which was set up in February 2003 to spearhead the renaissance of the city centre including plans for a multi-million Park at the Heart scheme around the city hall, came under fierce criticism earlier this week.
A spokesperson for Bradford Centre Regeneration, said: "Mr Smith clearly misunderstood the information that was presented on Monday night as he has omitted key elements that were discussed and has made assertions and claims that are factually inaccurate."
The company declined to expand on which part of Mr Smith's claims and assertions it felt were "factually inaccurate."
On Monday, a panel, which included Bradford Council leader Coun Kris Hopkins,BCR chief executive Maud Marshall and regeneration agency Yorkshire Forward's director of environment Jan Anderson, faced heckling and applause as they fielded questions on controversial plans to tear down Bradford's former Odeon cinema and replace it with a development called New Victoria Place which will include a hotel, restaurants and bars.
Angry residents also demanded to know when Bradford Council would set a deadline for construction work to begin on the city's long-awaited Broadway shopping centre which is being developed by Westfield.
The council has the power to buy back the land and seek another developer if it believes Westfield cannot take it forward but Bradford Council chief executive, Tony Reeves, refused to divulge any timescale for such action.
Westfield development director, Neil Huntington, told the meeting the firm means to complete the project by 2010.
Yorkshire Post, 14/02/08
Yorkshire Post, 14/02/08
Democracy Forum, 14/02/08
Flabbergasted by sharia claims
I WAS flabbergasted to hear the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams suggest that the adoption of some sharia law in the UK seemed "unavoidable"?
He went on to say the UK had to "face up to the fact" some citizens did not relate to the British legal system.
I WAS flabbergasted to hear the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams suggest that the adoption of some sharia law in the UK seemed "unavoidable"?
He went on to say the UK had to "face up to the fact" some citizens did not relate to the British legal system.
I am afraid if some citizens cannot relate to our legal system, this is a problem for them to deal with, maybe if they cannot accept our laws they need to consider if they really want to continue to reside here.
To suggest that we should somehow introduce new 'foreign' laws to appease minority groups is frankly quite ridiculous.
As a Christian I am absolutely disgusted that the leader of the Church of England is proposing the implementation of Muslim (sharia) law in the UK.
I think Dr Williams should remember he is supposed to be a representative of the Church of England.
Isn't it time the Church of England had a proper leader who worried more about the interests of Christians? Maybe it is time to appoint a new Archbishop of Canterbury; I would like to nominate the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu for that role.
Isn't it time the Church of England had a proper leader who worried more about the interests of Christians? Maybe it is time to appoint a new Archbishop of Canterbury; I would like to nominate the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu for that role.
JASON SMITH, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Spenborough Guardian, 14/02/08
Decent people
SIR - Eric Firth is at it again. This time he's taking a shot at the US who he claims are an evil nation! (T&A, February 9).
SIR - Eric Firth is at it again. This time he's taking a shot at the US who he claims are an evil nation! (T&A, February 9).
Whether you agree with the US foreign policy of randomly bombing nations, which I don't actually, the US nation is not evil, I have many friends in the US and they are good, decent people. You can't blame them for their government's foreign policy.
Mr Firth then continues that the people of the UK are no better; he seems to think we are 'evil' also.
Mr Firth finishes by saying that adding the picture of Alf Garnett to our 50p coin would please UKIP and the Tories. That would be a novel idea, but we can stick with Britannia.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 14/02/08
Let us vote
SIR - In 2005, the Labour party gave a manifesto commitment to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution.
SIR - In 2005, the Labour party gave a manifesto commitment to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution.
However, they now refuse to allow the public vote on the Lisbon Treaty.
The public must understand that the two documents are almost identical. So much so, that the author of the EU Constitution has said: "99 per cent of the wording" of the Lisbon Treaty is identical to the EU Constitution.
Therefore, if the Labour party had an ounce of moral fibre, it would keep its 2005 manifesto pledge and give the British people a vote on this extremely important issue.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 14/02/08
If some citizens cannot relate to our legal system this is a problem for them to deal with.
Maybe if they cannot accept our laws they need to consider if they really want to continue to reside here.
Maybe if they cannot accept our laws they need to consider if they really want to continue to reside here.
JASON SMITH, Bradford
The Sun, 12/02/08
Keep discrimination out of police
THE Metropolitan Black Police Association says it wants to see more black people in the police.
THE Metropolitan Black Police Association says it wants to see more black people in the police.
It is, of course, a good idea to encourage more black people in to the force but what the spokesman was proposing was "affirmative action", which we know by another name, "positive discrimination". You can call discrimination "positive" or "affirmation action" but it is still discrimination.
People from all backgrounds should be encouraged to join the force but people should not be discriminated against, which is what we saw in Bradford last year, when a white officer lost out on promotion to his less-qualified Asian rival.
I actually think that "affirmative action" is quite insulting to minority people. It says effectively that they cannot get jobs on their own merit, saying that instead they need preferential treatment.
Currently affirmative action and positive discrimination are illegal but the Metropolitan Black Police Association wants to see the law changed.
I just wonder, isn't having a black police association racist?
Jason Smith, (chairman, UK Independence Party, Bradford) Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 08/02/08
Freedom of speech
I WOULD like to reply to the letter from Mohammed Shafiq (Guardian January 21), spokesman for the Ramadhan Foundation.
I WOULD like to reply to the letter from Mohammed Shafiq (Guardian January 21), spokesman for the Ramadhan Foundation.
The letter was entitled 'A duty to work together' and I agree all communities need to work together to create social cohesion.
I was flabbergasted to read that Mr Shafiq believes in freedom of speech, when on the very radio show where we met he advised us he was reporting Bishop Nazir-Ali to the police for inciting religious hatred.
Does Mr Nazi-Ali not deserve freedom of speech? Obviously he thinks not.
Mr Shafiq continues to claim that nobody could provide him any evidence of no-go areas for non-Muslims, indeed I provided an example of an area of Bradford where on five consecutive nights the fire brigade were attacked.
The local Bradford councillor stated that he would speak to the local mosques for help with this problem.
Virtually every contributor to the debate provided examples for Mr Shafiq which he refused to accept, even though he did not know the areas concerned.
Mr Shafiq could not accept that some of these examples could have been religiously motivated?
Would Mr Shafiq not accept, for example, that the 'cartoon' protests in London were religiously motivated?
Jason Smith, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford.
Beverley Guardian, 08/02/08
IT was recently announced that immigrants settling in Bradford for a long period will be targeted to have English lessons to improve community cohesion.
At the risk of sounding like some poor Tory election slogan, I am thinking what everyone else is thinking. Why are we allowing people in to our country who cannot speak English?
The answer is, of course, because we no longer control our national borders. Maybe the Government should have considered "community cohesion" before allowing the EU to give residence in Britain to 500 million people!
The native people are then further insulted by the revelation that immigrants only have to pay 37.5 per cent towards English lessons, so the council had better dig in to our council tax pockets for the rest.
Then there are the hidden costs of interpreters in Bradford and the costs of printing literature in many languages. That runs in to millions of pounds that could be much better spent.
No immigrant should be allowed in Britain if they are not fluent in the English language.
Community cohesion could be achieved over a very short period by abolishing the segregation policies of multiculturalism.
At the risk of sounding like some poor Tory election slogan, I am thinking what everyone else is thinking. Why are we allowing people in to our country who cannot speak English?
The answer is, of course, because we no longer control our national borders. Maybe the Government should have considered "community cohesion" before allowing the EU to give residence in Britain to 500 million people!
The native people are then further insulted by the revelation that immigrants only have to pay 37.5 per cent towards English lessons, so the council had better dig in to our council tax pockets for the rest.
Then there are the hidden costs of interpreters in Bradford and the costs of printing literature in many languages. That runs in to millions of pounds that could be much better spent.
No immigrant should be allowed in Britain if they are not fluent in the English language.
Community cohesion could be achieved over a very short period by abolishing the segregation policies of multiculturalism.
Jason Smith, (Chairman, UK Independence Party, Bradford), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 06/02/08
In 2005, the Labour Party gave a manifesto commitment to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution. However, they now refuse to allow the public vote on the Lisbon Treaty.
The public must understand the two documents are almost identical. So much so, that the author of the EU Constitution has said, '99 per cent of the wording' of the Lisbon Treaty is identical to the EU Constitution. Therefore, if the Labour Party had an ounce of moral fibre, it would keep its 2005 manifesto pledge and give the British people a vote on this extremely important issue.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Yorkshire Regional Secretary, Queensbury, Bradford.
Scunthorpe Telegraph, 06/02/08
Money talks
SIR - I thank our US contributor Diane Duguid for bringing to our attention the fact that the Government is planning to remove Britannia from the back of our 50p pieces (T&A, January 30).
SIR - I thank our US contributor Diane Duguid for bringing to our attention the fact that the Government is planning to remove Britannia from the back of our 50p pieces (T&A, January 30).
She wonders what is going on with our money. Well the Government is now trying to slowly phase out anything British, because by January 2009 we shall no longer be an independent country but a state of the European Union. They probably feel there is no point in Britannia if there is no Britain.
Diane's fellow citizens in the US must be experiencing a similar erosion of tradition as President Bush recently signed up to the North American Union, the US equivalent of our European Union.
She should also be aware that all her US coins could soon be gone as the North American Union's 'Amero' will replace them.
Diane also advised that 650 people leave England each month. The actually figure is closer to 16,500 citizens leaving our shores every month for a better life.
I personally know dozens of people who have already "got out" and dozens more who are queuing up.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 05/02/08
A step too far
SIR - It has been announced that ministers are planning to implant microchips under the skin of thousand of offenders as part of an expansion of the electronic tagging scheme to keep criminals out of prison.
SIR - It has been announced that ministers are planning to implant microchips under the skin of thousand of offenders as part of an expansion of the electronic tagging scheme to keep criminals out of prison.
Having a tag, either on an individual's ankle or in their body will not prevent them from perpetrating another crime. It will only tell the authorities where the next crime is committed!
These are the same tags used around the world to keep track of dogs, cats and cattle. We will be told these chips are only to be used for nasty criminals. I fear this could be another thin end of the big brother wedge.
First they came for the paedophiles - I did not speak out as I deplore those people.
They then came for people who refused to sign up for an ID card - I did not care, I had an ID card.
They came for people who could not afford to pay their pay-as-they-go road tax - I did not speak out, I always pay my taxes.
Then they came for me, and there was nobody left to speak out for me!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 30/01/08
Give us our say
SIR - I wholeheartedly agree with Graham Hoyle (T&A, January 25) when he congratulates Keighley MP Ann Cryer for adding her name to the motion demanding a referendum on the EU Constitution treaty.
SIR - I wholeheartedly agree with Graham Hoyle (T&A, January 25) when he congratulates Keighley MP Ann Cryer for adding her name to the motion demanding a referendum on the EU Constitution treaty.
The Government has told its backbenchers they must vote through this treaty, so hats off to Ann Cryer for her bravery.
She will, no doubt, be joined by our other decent MP Philip Davies who has also bravely given up any chance of serving on the Tory front bench because of his pro-UK stance, instead choosing to stand up for democracy and our sovereignty.
This goes to prove this is not a party political issue, it's an issue of whether you believe in democracy and that the UK should be governed by a British Government.
Whatever your political leaning, and even if for some reason you support the concept of an undemocratic centralised EU, you must agree that every party should honour its manifesto pledge to grant the British people a referendum.
Remember what "real Labour" MP Tony Benn has said: "Our sovereignty belongs to the people, not to the Parliament. Our sovereignty is not the Parliament's to give away!"
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 29/01/08
SIR - I must confess I am not a fan of US TV, but I was heartened when I tuned in to the coverage of the campaign for the Republican nomination and witnessed candidate Ron Paul breaking the Republican Party fundraising record with more than $6 million raised in just 24 hours.
This is all the more fantastic when you consider he is virtually ignored by the mainstream media and not backed by big business. His support is totally grassroots.
He is saying what people think! It makes me proud to be a libertarian.
It also tells you two other things: 1) The old corrupt parties ignore the will of the people at their peril. Eventually they will wake up and this is clearly happening in the US.
2) Don't judge a man by his party. Mr Paul is a member of the same party as George Bush but they are clearly worlds apart on policy, intellect and debating ability.
It is now also time for the people of the UK to wake up as we are moving ever closer to what people are calling the post-democratic era, that being our assimilation into the EU.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 28/01/08
THE murder investigation continues in to the death of Shafilea Ahmed, the teenager found dead after refusing an arranged marriage, and it is not yet clear who killed her, but this tragic situation again raises questions over forced marriage in our country.
Of course you have to be careful to not confuse an arranged marriage with a forced marriage but we should also remember that an arranged marriage can turn quickly in to a forced marriage if, for example, the bride does not agree to it.
Isn't it time the Government made a stand against this foul tradition and put the safety of young women before their fear of upsetting some minority groups?
I think we should all, regardless of political leaning, take our hats off to MP Ann Cryer for the work she has done in this field. She has taken some flak but to her credit has kept up the fight.
Of course you have to be careful to not confuse an arranged marriage with a forced marriage but we should also remember that an arranged marriage can turn quickly in to a forced marriage if, for example, the bride does not agree to it.
Isn't it time the Government made a stand against this foul tradition and put the safety of young women before their fear of upsetting some minority groups?
I think we should all, regardless of political leaning, take our hats off to MP Ann Cryer for the work she has done in this field. She has taken some flak but to her credit has kept up the fight.
Jason Smith, (chairman, UK Independence Party, Bradford), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 26/01/08
Answer to what treaty means to the UK
SIR - Stuart Baker accuses me of going off half cocked (T&A, January 22) with regard to the Government's admission that the EU police force under the direction of Brussels could operate in Britain.
SIR - Stuart Baker accuses me of going off half cocked (T&A, January 22) with regard to the Government's admission that the EU police force under the direction of Brussels could operate in Britain.
Indeed, I provided a quote where Foreign Secretary David Milliband refused to say foreign police would not be allowed to operate in our country.
Mr Baker argues that because we have not 'yet' officially signed up to this treaty that it could not apply to us.
He states there were only five signatories at the summit. Since then, though, a number of other EU countries have joined the original five states in embracing the EU police force, including Poland, Romania and Lithuania and the non-EU state Turkey.
I would like to remind Mr Baker of another treaty which is being discussed in parliament, the EU Lisbon Treaty (aka EU Constitution). It is self-amending. I think there lays the answer of whether this treaty will apply to the UK!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 25/01/08
Question of force
SIR - The Lisbon summit did not only see the signing of the 'renamed' EU Constitution but also another treaty that should be of great concern to the people of Britain. It was a treaty establishing the European Gendarmerie Force (EU Police Force).
SIR - The Lisbon summit did not only see the signing of the 'renamed' EU Constitution but also another treaty that should be of great concern to the people of Britain. It was a treaty establishing the European Gendarmerie Force (EU Police Force).
Under the terms of the treaty, the force can operate across national borders and would be above the national police forces, answering only to the Government in Brussels. They could be deployed by the EU for any "security and public order missions".
In a parliamentary question on the EU force, MP Bob Spink asked the Foreign Secretary: "Will he give an undertaking that it (European Gendarmerie Force) will never be allowed to operate on British soil?"
The Foreign Secretary's answer was very telling: "I am happy to reassure him that a nation must give its consent before any operation can be held in it."
Rather than rule out the possibility, David Milliband actually specified the manner in which it could operate.
If somebody would have told you a few years ago that a foreign police force would be allowed to operate in our country under their rules, you would have said they were crazy.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 18/01/08
Party piece
SIR - Andrew Clarke (T&A, January 10) is right on the money when he talks about all the parties competing for the middle ground.
SIR - Andrew Clarke (T&A, January 10) is right on the money when he talks about all the parties competing for the middle ground.
This political consensus cannot be good for the people and is surely feeding the political apathy in Britain. When people say all parties are the same, they are not far wrong.
I share Mr Clarke's views that people are crying out for a return to traditional Conservatism. Unfortunately there is no Conservative' party; they have been replaced by a confused socialist green party. It really is very sad.
I implore the people to review the old party's policies; it is not the same party that their parents or their parents before them voted for. As long as people continue to vote in this way our country will continue to degenerate.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 17/01/08
I was perusing Bradford's recorded crime statistics for last year.
I noticed that burglary of a dwelling had risen by 9.59 per cent, theft from a vehicle had risen by 10.35 per cent and robbery had risen by a massive 18.95 per cent.
I then wondered if that might have had anything to do with the Government policy of no longer imprisoning non-violent offenders.
Probably just a coincidence!
I noticed that burglary of a dwelling had risen by 9.59 per cent, theft from a vehicle had risen by 10.35 per cent and robbery had risen by a massive 18.95 per cent.
I then wondered if that might have had anything to do with the Government policy of no longer imprisoning non-violent offenders.
Probably just a coincidence!
Jason Smith, (chairman, UK Independence Party, Bradford), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 17/01/08
Target for debate
SIR - We have to thank the Lords again for holding the government to account over their decision to allow the RAF site near Harrogate to play a part in the US National Missile defence scheme (T&A, January 10).
SIR - We have to thank the Lords again for holding the government to account over their decision to allow the RAF site near Harrogate to play a part in the US National Missile defence scheme (T&A, January 10).
I am surprised it has taken this long for anyone to notice that the government sneaked in this announcement. Defence Secretary Des Browne actually revealed this in a written statement just prior to the MPs knocking off for their summer holidays.
The Government keeps banging on about open debate but they never actually seem to do it themselves.
I am neither for nor against this at the moment and would therefore welcome a debate. To me it all depends on whether the UK will benefit from this missile system.
If we are just to be, as some suggest, an 'unprotected' listening site then I would suggest it is not in our interests.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 16/01/08
Green belt grab
Sir - Our esteemed council leader Kris Hopkins is trying to exonerate himself of any blame for the number of new homes slated to be built in Bradford and the subsequent loss of some of our green belt (T&A, January 11).
Sir - Our esteemed council leader Kris Hopkins is trying to exonerate himself of any blame for the number of new homes slated to be built in Bradford and the subsequent loss of some of our green belt (T&A, January 11).
Mr Hopkins is not only Bradford's representative on the Yorkshire Regional Assembly but he is also the Chairman of the Regional Housing Board.
I have no doubt that Mr Hopkins is indeed concerned about the loss of green belt which I'm sure will equate to a loss of subsequent election votes should he be seen to support this green belt grab.
I wonder how Mr Hopkins intends to protect our green belt, when his own party are happy to have our borders wide open to every single citizen of Europe (approx 500 million). What does he expect immigrants to do? Live in tents?
I'm afraid you can't have it both ways, Mr Hopkins. If you support open borders, you surely have a duty to house them? If you do not support open borders, then I'm afraid you need to look for a new party.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 15/01/08
'No-go' bishop has right to speak
Whether you agree with Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali's warning about no-go areas in Britain for non-Muslims and the dangers of multiculturalism, everyone must agree that he has a right to air his views, a right to freedom of speech.
Whether you agree with Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali's warning about no-go areas in Britain for non-Muslims and the dangers of multiculturalism, everyone must agree that he has a right to air his views, a right to freedom of speech.
That view is not shared by Mohammed Shafiq, of the Ramadhan Foundation, during a radio debate with me in which I provided examples of no-go areas.
He informed us he was referring Bishop Nazir-Ali's comments to the police as he believed the bishop was inciting religious hatred.
Somebody needs to point out to Mr Shafiq that we have freedom of speech in Britain, something we are very proud of.
Unfortunately Mr Shafiq has done his cause no favours at all. He is just proving once again that certain Muslim groups are unable to accept any form of criticism.
Bishop Nazir-Ali made a good point that "the novel philosophy of multiculturalism" is allowing society to become more deeply divided, a view I and many agree with.
Let us all support Bishop Nazir-Ali and his right to freedom of speech.
Jason Smith, (Chairman, UK Independence Party, Bradford and District), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Halifax Courier, 11/01/08
Keep data at home
SIR - David Rhodes suggests people are making a mountain out of a molehill regarding the loss of three million learner drivers' details in the US (T&A, December 24).
SIR - David Rhodes suggests people are making a mountain out of a molehill regarding the loss of three million learner drivers' details in the US (T&A, December 24).
Of course the details lost are not bank details and the like, but the point is that they could have been and I think people are right to be concerned.
I wonder how long it will be before data from the government ID database the National Identity Register is "mislaid" or lost.
I would also like to know, why our citizens' data is being sent abroad to a private contractor for processing. Surely UK data should be processed here by a government agency and not by a foreign contractor.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 10/01/08
Did you know?
SIR - Jenny Sampson suggests that we should all get behind Kris Hopkins in his bid to keep the property developers off our green belt (T&A, December 28), and then goes on to state that the Labour government says we must build 50,000 new homes.
SIR - Jenny Sampson suggests that we should all get behind Kris Hopkins in his bid to keep the property developers off our green belt (T&A, December 28), and then goes on to state that the Labour government says we must build 50,000 new homes.
Unfortunately, comments such as these are not helpful because they not correct.
The quota for the 50,000 new homes has not come directly from the Labour government but rather the Regional Spatial Strategy which originates from the Regional Assembly.
You could argue that, because Labour set up these assemblies, this is their fault, but the edict did not come directly from Labour.
Does Ms Sampson know who represents Bradford on the Regional Assembly? Well it's none other than Kris Hopkins! So it's a bit rich to say we should get behind him to save our green belt when he was the only member of Bradford Council who had an input in to this decision.
Rather than get behind Mr Hopkins we should hold him to account for this decision which he was partly responsible for!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 08/01/08
Stop the madness of immigration
Migration Watch has confirmed that high rates of welfare benefits are making the British job market more attractive to foreign workers.
Migration Watch has confirmed that high rates of welfare benefits are making the British job market more attractive to foreign workers.
This is exactly what I have been saying for years and what most people with half a brain have known for some time.
Official figures released recently also show an interesting statistic, in that since we opened our borders to workers from eastern Europe in 2004 we have over a half a million – 525,000 – fewer British-born people in work.
It is also clear that once migrant workers realise that they are only going to be slightly better off (£30 a week on the minimum wage) working then they will surely choose the easier option, ie, living off benefits.
When these people move over to benefits, what then? Well, we get more migrants to fill their jobs and the cycle continues.
Our country is sinking fast as the old parties continue to sink their collective heads into the sand.
We must stop this madness!
Jason Smith, (Yorkshire Regional Secretary, UK Independence Party), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Halifax Courier, 07/01/08
My nomination...
SIR - As I walked past the huge pile of rubble in the centre of Bradford and mused that it might make a great dry rubble ski slope, I noticed work had started on the site. Hallelujah!
SIR - As I walked past the huge pile of rubble in the centre of Bradford and mused that it might make a great dry rubble ski slope, I noticed work had started on the site. Hallelujah!
Upon closer inspection I noticed it was only the surrounding barriers which were being painted. Obviously they had been there so long the artwork was decaying!
As 2007 becomes 2008, I would like to nominate Bradford Council for the Most Incompetent Council of the Year Award!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 05/01/08
Lies that led to European union
FEW people seem to have grasped that the roots of the subversive attempt to create a United States of Europe (as if the American version hadn't already caused enough problems!) began with a dinner between Germany's Gustav Stresemann and France's Aristide Briand just one week after Germany was admitted to the League of Nations in 1926.
They seemed to have accepted the ideas of the Italian Giovanni Agnelli, whose support for a European federation was published as early as 1918.
You can even find earlier roots if you choose to look, the "great and the good" determining what is to be good for the "plebs".
Under the guise of Franco-German economic co-operation the seeds of what became the EU were sufficiently deeplysown as to survive the entire Hitler period and to raise their weedlike heads again at the end of World War II.
Building on the stealth, concealment of objectives and sheer lies to the public by people like Paul-Henri Spaak, Altiero Spin-elli and the odious and corrupt Jean Monnet, the European Coal and Steel Community, a precursor of the Common Market, was born in 1951.
Only in recent years and with hindsight have we been able to spot how this anti-democratic monolith has conspired to deprive our nation of all rights to self-determination.
Clearly the politicians such as Edward Heath, who admitted to the lies told to fool voters, Tony Blair, who sold out to the EU, and Gordon Brown, who has cynically denied us the promised referendum, are not and have never been on our side.
Their strings are pulled from Brussels.
FEW people seem to have grasped that the roots of the subversive attempt to create a United States of Europe (as if the American version hadn't already caused enough problems!) began with a dinner between Germany's Gustav Stresemann and France's Aristide Briand just one week after Germany was admitted to the League of Nations in 1926.
They seemed to have accepted the ideas of the Italian Giovanni Agnelli, whose support for a European federation was published as early as 1918.
You can even find earlier roots if you choose to look, the "great and the good" determining what is to be good for the "plebs".
Under the guise of Franco-German economic co-operation the seeds of what became the EU were sufficiently deeplysown as to survive the entire Hitler period and to raise their weedlike heads again at the end of World War II.
Building on the stealth, concealment of objectives and sheer lies to the public by people like Paul-Henri Spaak, Altiero Spin-elli and the odious and corrupt Jean Monnet, the European Coal and Steel Community, a precursor of the Common Market, was born in 1951.
Only in recent years and with hindsight have we been able to spot how this anti-democratic monolith has conspired to deprive our nation of all rights to self-determination.
Clearly the politicians such as Edward Heath, who admitted to the lies told to fool voters, Tony Blair, who sold out to the EU, and Gordon Brown, who has cynically denied us the promised referendum, are not and have never been on our side.
Their strings are pulled from Brussels.
Jason Smith, (Yorkshire Regional Secretary, UK Independence Party), Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury.
Halifax Courier, 04/01/08
SO Bradford Council has given its street wardens their marching orders.
This is surely another nail in the coffin for what is left of Bradford's shopping area with shop owners and shoppers both agreeing that their presence made them feel safer. The council may have saved some money on wardens' salaries, but how much money will be lost by Bradford businesses, I wonder?
To me, this is all about priorities. Bradford's Conservatives have proved once again that crime is incredibly low if not totally off their radar. To me, having a safe city centre must be one of the most important issues. If there was money to be cut, I would slash some from the massively pointless "cultural budget".
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Yorkshire Regional Secretary, Queensbury, Bradford.
Yorkshire Post, 02/01/07
Honour intact!
SIR - Graham Stringer, MP for Manchester, Blackley, recently argued: "As a Labour MP I know that the reason that the Government is about to break its electoral promise, is not because the new treaty is different from the European Constitution, but because it fears a 'no' vote.
SIR - Graham Stringer, MP for Manchester, Blackley, recently argued: "As a Labour MP I know that the reason that the Government is about to break its electoral promise, is not because the new treaty is different from the European Constitution, but because it fears a 'no' vote.
"This is mistaken - much better and less damaging for the Government to lose an open, fair debate than to be dishonest."
And I had thought that all honour had fled from the Labour party. Apparently, tiny pockets survive!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 02/01/08
Principle’s EU test
SIR - The new Lib-Dem leader Nick Clegg recently said he would be willing to face imprisonment for refusing to sign up for an ID card.
SIR - The new Lib-Dem leader Nick Clegg recently said he would be willing to face imprisonment for refusing to sign up for an ID card.
I would wholeheartedly support that statement but I wonder would Mr Clegg be as willing to defy the European Union as it is them who are pushing for ID cards across Europe, and are committed to an EU-wide ID card in the not-too-distant future.
Mr Clegg is, of course, a former member of the European Parliament and a fanatical supporter of EU integration.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 01/01/08
