What next for pro-EU Tories?
David Cameron has confirmed that the Tories' promised referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is no longer on the table even though that was their only EU pledge in their Euro election campaign.
David Cameron has confirmed that the Tories' promised referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is no longer on the table even though that was their only EU pledge in their Euro election campaign.
Not only has Cameron betrayed Britain but he has betrayed every voter who voted for them this year.
So what is next for the pro-EU Tories?
Well Cameron claims this will "never happen again" that no more power will be transferred without a referendum. Well the EU Parliament president has already confirmed that once the Lisbon Treaty (EU Constitution) comes in to force then 100 per cent of our laws will be made in Brussels, so maybe Cameron can deliver on his latest promise. He cannot transfer any more powers to the EU, as they already have them all!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 09/12/09
Carry on spending!
SIR – Great news from Brussels! The EU plans a new £280m building for the EU President and Foreign Minister.
The new building is to house the offices of the new EU President, EU Foreign Minister and European diplomatic service, which will be created when the Lisbon Treaty comes in to force.
It is such good value you almost wish that they were going to spend more. Why – it is not a great deal over a quarter of a billion pounds of taxpayers’ money.
I am personally very glad they are spending my taxes on projects like this – I would only have frittered it away on items essential for living a moderate life!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 17/11/09
SIR – Great news from Brussels! The EU plans a new £280m building for the EU President and Foreign Minister.
The new building is to house the offices of the new EU President, EU Foreign Minister and European diplomatic service, which will be created when the Lisbon Treaty comes in to force.
It is such good value you almost wish that they were going to spend more. Why – it is not a great deal over a quarter of a billion pounds of taxpayers’ money.
I am personally very glad they are spending my taxes on projects like this – I would only have frittered it away on items essential for living a moderate life!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 17/11/09
Pay Blair 30 silver pieces to be EU president
According to a leading bookmaker, Tony Blair is 4/6 favourite to become the first EU president.
According to a leading bookmaker, Tony Blair is 4/6 favourite to become the first EU president.
That this wretched turncoat might possibly gain the fruits of his betrayal of this nation is utterly sickening.
I assume that he will be paid in silver – 30 pieces should do the trick!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 16/11/09
Halifax Courier, 16/11/09
A simple summing up of the EU dictatorship
Talking about the second Irish attempt "to get it right" on the Lisbon Treaty, this has emerged: Foreign Minister Micheál Martin recently made a misguided quip to a German newspaper, saying, in reference to the referendum, "democracies are complex", adding: "Would a dictatorship not be delightfully simple?"
Talking about the second Irish attempt "to get it right" on the Lisbon Treaty, this has emerged: Foreign Minister Micheál Martin recently made a misguided quip to a German newspaper, saying, in reference to the referendum, "democracies are complex", adding: "Would a dictatorship not be delightfully simple?"
Thanks for a highly accurate description of The European Union!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 09/11/09
SIR – I have to support the BBC’s decision to let BNP leader Nick Griffin speak on Question Time.
Though I personally loathe this man’s views, I believe in a free country he has a right to say what he thinks, just as it is our right to disagree with him.
I think the Labour Party and Anti-Fascist League are very wrong to try and freeze this party out of the debate. The only way these vile people can be uncovered is by cross-examination, and that is what happened on Question Time. Not only did Mr Griffin lose the argument, but his arguments were utterly destroyed.
It was actually quite entertaining seeing him try to justify why he shared a platform with the Ku Klux Klan and when asked why he was a holocaust denier he replied, ‘I didn’t know why I used to think that’.
Rather than be a recruitment event for the BNP, I think this was another nail in their coffin. It was also ironic that it was Labour who whined the loudest about the BNP addition to the show, yet it is Labour who has fuelled support for the BNP with their disastrous immigration policy.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 27/10/09
Extra troops – and he gets peace award
I wonder if anyone could shed any light on the reasons for Barrack Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize?
I am not sure how sending more troops to Afghanistan to be maimed or killed is in keeping with the peace award, especially when he previously pledged to bring troops home.
It's an Obamanation!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
I wonder if anyone could shed any light on the reasons for Barrack Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize?
I am not sure how sending more troops to Afghanistan to be maimed or killed is in keeping with the peace award, especially when he previously pledged to bring troops home.
It's an Obamanation!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 16/10/09
Take action with votes
SIR – I am a little perturbed after returning from my political sabbatical to find that the elected officials of Bradford City Hall have voted to tear down the monumental Odeon building against the wishes of the people of Bradford.
SIR – I am a little perturbed after returning from my political sabbatical to find that the elected officials of Bradford City Hall have voted to tear down the monumental Odeon building against the wishes of the people of Bradford.
If the Odeon is to be taken down, then the politicians that made the decision and their parties should be taken down too. Remember, all actions have consequences; councillors have refused to listen to us, but let us send them a message at the ballot box and tear down their careers!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 13/10/09
What human rights?
SIR – Brian Holmans informs me that there is no such thing as the EU Human Rights Act (Letters, July 29). I would like to inform him in return that there is no such thing as ‘human rights’ in the EU.
I would point him to Article 52 of the so-called EU Charter of Fundamental Rights which allows “limitations” of basic human rights if doing so is deemed in the “general interest” of the European Union.
With regard to the European Convention on Human Rights, it does indeed predate the EU, but is Mr Holmans aware that under the Lisbon Treaty (EU Constitution) its powers will be transferred to the EU Court of Justice, which is certainly not independent of the EU and is sure to rule in its favour rather than in ours?
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
SIR – Brian Holmans informs me that there is no such thing as the EU Human Rights Act (Letters, July 29). I would like to inform him in return that there is no such thing as ‘human rights’ in the EU.
I would point him to Article 52 of the so-called EU Charter of Fundamental Rights which allows “limitations” of basic human rights if doing so is deemed in the “general interest” of the European Union.
With regard to the European Convention on Human Rights, it does indeed predate the EU, but is Mr Holmans aware that under the Lisbon Treaty (EU Constitution) its powers will be transferred to the EU Court of Justice, which is certainly not independent of the EU and is sure to rule in its favour rather than in ours?
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 26/08/09
Our money used to get Lisbon Treaty 'yes' vote
So the Irish finally succumbed to the pressure and bullyboy tactics of the EU and have said yes to the Lisbon Treaty.
Not only did the EU fund a huge Yes campaign with our money, massively outspending the No campaign, but the Irish broadcasters ignored their own rules and deemed that the No campaign shall not be afforded the same coverage as the Yes camp.
I hope the EU parties (Tory, Labour and Lib Dems) who supported this are very proud of themselves.
We shouldn't be surprised how this vote was conducted though should we? After all this is how the EU works, where freedom, democracy and fairness are dirty words.
Considering the Irish had to vote a second time because they voted "incorrectly" the first time, then might it be the case that they voted incorrectly the second time also? Would this not mean that they should vote a third time, almost a best of three contest?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
So the Irish finally succumbed to the pressure and bullyboy tactics of the EU and have said yes to the Lisbon Treaty.
Not only did the EU fund a huge Yes campaign with our money, massively outspending the No campaign, but the Irish broadcasters ignored their own rules and deemed that the No campaign shall not be afforded the same coverage as the Yes camp.
I hope the EU parties (Tory, Labour and Lib Dems) who supported this are very proud of themselves.
We shouldn't be surprised how this vote was conducted though should we? After all this is how the EU works, where freedom, democracy and fairness are dirty words.
Considering the Irish had to vote a second time because they voted "incorrectly" the first time, then might it be the case that they voted incorrectly the second time also? Would this not mean that they should vote a third time, almost a best of three contest?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 16/08/09
Kinnocks force a change of mind
I have never really liked the expression "the gravy train" as it sounds uncomplimentary and rather nasty. I have now changed my mind after just one headline!
"Europe Minister Glenys Kinnock and her husband pocketed £8m in EU pay."
I have never really liked the expression "the gravy train" as it sounds uncomplimentary and rather nasty. I have now changed my mind after just one headline!
"Europe Minister Glenys Kinnock and her husband pocketed £8m in EU pay."
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 03/08/09
SIR – According to Brian Holmans my support of our soldiers’ human rights is translated in to disrespect (T&A, July 7) in his strange, paranoid, parallel world. Mr Holmans continues that his interest is personal, as he shares with us his ancestor’s war history.
Rather than making cheap political points, I should tell Mr Holmans that a good friend of mine in Iraq was blown up by a grenade and was lucky to survive. Even though he can barely walk and is crippled with pain, the Government deemed his disability ‘not severe enough’, and refused compensation.
The reason his injuries were so severe is that he was not afforded the correct protective gear. This ruling granting our soldiers human rights should mean other servicemen should not have to suffer the same fate as him. Let me also point out that UKIP are indeed against the EU Human Rights Act, but very much in favour of our British human rights like habeas corpus, which the EU rejects.
It is also worth stating that only the Lib Dems and UKIP were against the Iraq war, so under our leadership we wouldn’t have been in Iraq in the first place!
Jason Smith, chairman, UK Independence Party Bradford, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 15/07/09
Do we need horse law?
Under new EU rules, the Horse Identification Regulations, which will come in to force next month, horse owners will have to sign a pledge to not eat their animals or they could face up to two years in prison.
Under new EU rules, the Horse Identification Regulations, which will come in to force next month, horse owners will have to sign a pledge to not eat their animals or they could face up to two years in prison.
Let me state that I am not in favour of people eating their horses, even in these times of financial hardship, but I wonder does our Government in Brussels really need to legislate against this?
Do we really need this kind of legislation; do we really need the EU? I say Nay!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 02/07/09
Sir – I have to agree with Councillor John Hall when he says no to water fluoridation (T&A, June 4). I remember fighting this Government proposal both in 2007 and 2008, both times the argument for water fluoridation was soundly defeated.
Firstly the Government cannot add fluoride to drinking water as fluoride has not been classified as a medicine, and it never will be because there is absolutely no evidence that fluoride (hydrofluosilic acid) will benefit our health, and why would it, as it’s an industrial waste by-product?
Secondly, I believe the evidence that adding fluoride to water actually causes ailments and disease is overwhelming, including, among others, skeletal fluorosis, bone cancer and bladder cancer.
Thirdly, it is morally wrong to medicate somebody against their will. Why would the Government keep pushing this dangerous proposal? Could it be because it makes people docile?
I would like to ask John Hall if he would also condemn the European Food Standards Authority for approving fluoride as a food product, or will he ignore this draconian EU decision?
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 01/07/09
WITH reference to Michael Swaby's letter (Yorkshire Post, June 24), I think it fair to agree with his subtext that British National Party MEP Andrew Brons may reasonably be viewed as an extremist, but find it a strange sort of world where a man like Richard Corbett, the former Labour MEP who toiled endlessly to remove this nation's rights to self-determination, is not.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party regional secretary, Queensbury, Bradford.
Yorkshire Post, 29/06/09
I fear they will force MMR jabs
I couldn't believe what I was hearing when I heard the former chairman of the British Medical Association Sir Sandy Macara call for the MMR jab to become compulsory.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing when I heard the former chairman of the British Medical Association Sir Sandy Macara call for the MMR jab to become compulsory.
On the take-up of the MMR vaccine, Mr Macara said; "Our attempts to persuade people have failed". I wonder could that have had anything to do with the publicity linking MMR to autism in children?
The BMA may not believe there is a link but many parents whose children have taken the vaccine only to find that their children have developed autism might disagree.
Irrespective of whether MMR caused autism, there is absolutely no justification in a free society for forced medication.
The best way to prevent children from contracting any disease is to ensure their immune system is working at optimal level, this can be done by ensuring that they are only fed organic fresh foods. Ever wondered why only certain people catch diseases? It is because their immune systems are weak.
The fact that many European countries have compulsory vaccination and that the majority of our laws are now made in Brussels leads me to worry that this disgusting proposal might yet become law.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman and alternative health practitioner, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 15/06/09
SIR – Once again the High Court has ruled against our draconian Labour Government!
A case was brought against the Government by the family of Private Jason Smith, who died in the battlefield due to not having the correct equipment; the MOD had argued that ‘human rights’ should not apply to troops in the battlefield.
When you consider that prisoners and burglars and the like regularly use human rights legislation to sue for damages, the Government’s stance against our brave soldiers seems all the more disgusting, although hardly surprising when you consider the recent treatment of our brave allies, the Gurkhas. What sort of government would put a criminal’s rights before the rights of our soldiers? This ruling should now mean that our Government will have to ensure that our soldiers are properly equipped when they are on the battlefield and so they should!
Jason Smith, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 11/06/09
SIR – More than three million people in the UK are currently working more than 48 hours a week. Many of these do so out of choice and others from necessity.
Is this desirable? It is not for me to comment, as I do not know enough about every single set of circumstances – how could I? What I do know is that the further you are away from those individual cases, the less qualified you are to comment or interfere.
Typically, the EU does just that and, once again, threatens to cause chaos with an ill-conceived and poorly thought-out piece of legislation which will cause major expense, litigation and bureaucracy in inestimable amounts.
In many senses, this piece of nonsense encapsulates all that is wrong with EU federalism. It is so enamoured of ‘one size must fit all’ philosophies.
If cutting this level of working is socially desirable for all people in a nation like ours, then let our government implement it in a manner which helps workers rather than damages both them and future job prospects.
The time has come to leave this body.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands, Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 09/06/09
SIR – Last July, on the pages of the T&A (Letters, July 24, 2008), Stuart Baker offered me a charitable wager, stating that “if UKIP doesn't lose big time in the European elections”, he is prepared to donate £100 to a charity of my choice.
How is Mr Baker's wager looking at the moment? Not too rosy, actually, what with a national newspaper poll putting UKIP at a massive 17 per cent, neck-and-neck with Labour. Add to that the fact that bookmakers William Hill believe that UKIP will win more seats than Labour.
I suggest Mr Baker had better get his cheque book ready!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford European Election candidate, Yorkshire & Humber, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 29/05/09
SIR – I cannot believe that Shipley MP Philip Davies is supporting a Bill that will effectively abolish the minimum wage (T&A, May 12). It should not be any surprise though, should it? After all, Tories never change their spots, do they?
Maybe if the Tory party had some real people in the Shadow Cabinet rather than a collection of multi-millionaire businessmen, then their attitude might be a bit different.
Of course this will be good legislation for business, but may I remind Mr Davies that he was not elected to serve business but to serve the people, who might not be overly chuffed when they are being bullied by employers to except slave wages.
The Tories have claimed that “not being able to work for less than minimum wage would be a denial of Human Rights”. Good grief, they really have lost the plot!
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 21/05/09
SIR – As the revelations regarding MPs’ expense claims become more bizarre and disgusting, what do we hear from the old parties? “We weren’t doing anything illegally,” and, “Clearly the system is wrong.”
They might not have been behaving ‘illegally’ and the rules are clearly not acceptable, but who made the rules? They did. Just because it not technically illegal, it doesn’t make it right, do they not have any morals? How have the Government responded to this debacle?
Firstly they proposed to pay themselves an attendance allowance instead of expenses, irrespective of whether they actually stayed to do any work!
They then contacted the police to investigate how the Daily Telegraph obtained expense details as they believed there were “reasonable grounds to believe a criminal offence may have been committed.”
Remember this is the Government that suggests we dob in our neighbours who we think might be guilty of benefit fraud yet we’re apparently not allowed to know if they are guilty of expenses fraud!
Personally I would be tempted to cut MPs’ salaries as they obviously have a lot less work to do with 75 per cent of our laws now made in Brussels and not even debated in Westminster.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 15/05/09
SIR, In the midst of all their petty corruption; the minor dishonesty; expenses manipulations and refusals to do the decent thing and resign where mainstream politicians are concerned, we have all rather lost our trust in those who are in government.
Congratulations are in order then to the UK Independence Party which has not been without some of these self same negatives but has dealt with them fearlessly and entirely differently.
Where any MEP of the party has been shown to have acted improperly, they have received short shrift and have been disciplined, with the whip immediately withdrawn as soon as proof was forthcoming. I believe that this is called integrity.
Telegraph & Argus, 13/05/09
Joanna Lumley's brave stance for the Gurkhas
I think I am joined by virtually the entire population when I say I am so impressed with Joanna Lumley's Gurkha Justice Campaign, the one-time Avenger has surly taken vengeance against the Government on behalf of the brave Gurkhas.
I think I am joined by virtually the entire population when I say I am so impressed with Joanna Lumley's Gurkha Justice Campaign, the one-time Avenger has surly taken vengeance against the Government on behalf of the brave Gurkhas.
Labour has done some despicable things in their tenure, but few are more offensive than not allowing the Gurkhas to settle in the UK.
Why is it that we allow murders, rapists and paedophiles to come and reside in the UK from the EU, yet we deny entry to brave soldiers who fought for us?
Why is it that we allow murders, rapists and paedophiles to come and reside in the UK from the EU, yet we deny entry to brave soldiers who fought for us?
It is simple, because the EU says so. There has got to come a time when politicians have got to grasp that last ounce of decency in their body and ask this question.
The Government has tried to justify closing the door to the Gurkhas by saying it would put a strain on our public services?
But we are talking about thousands of Gurkhas, so what about the 500,000 EU immigrants that arrive here every year?
Not only is our country virtually bankrupt, but now the Labour Government is completely morally bankrupt!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party, Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 05/05/09
SIR – When permitted to do so by an often hostile media, the UK Independence Party’s MEPs have done a sterling job in bringing the details of the antics of the European Parliament to the attention of the electorate. Once they saw the departure of the appalling Kilroy-Silk, they got down to the business we elected them to do: to inform, to support our taxpayers, to be obstructive and to attempt, with fairly small numbers, to fight our corner in the way no other party would because all are completely sold out to Brussels. They have done this well and deserve for their new and often younger crop of would-be MEPs to be given the opportunity to do even more.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 08/04/09
Sir – The European Food Standards Authority (EFSA), the EU body that controls food standards, has approved fluoride as a food product.
This is very bizarre. Firstly, the classification of fluoride as a food is very dubious as it does not have any nutritional benefits.
We are told that fluoride prevents tooth decay; a claim I would not accept, but its classification as a medicine would make more sense.
If fluoride had been classified as a medicine then it would have had to undergo rigorous trials to prove its safety, which I believe it would have failed. Could this be why it has been ‘wrongly’ classified?
Anybody who has read the warnings on their fluoride toothpaste will discover “caution: do not swallow”. Hardly the stuff we should be adding to food supplements.
Not only has the EFSA approved this dangerous substance but they have proposed to ban hundreds of natural vitamin and mineral supplements in 2010. These are supplements that have been used for hundreds of years without any adverse effects.
It seems the EFSA is once again putting the wishes of the multi-national pharmaceutical companies before the health of the people.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 07/04/09
SIR – I would like to respond to the letter from Richard Corbett MEP (T&A, March 12) regarding British jobs.
Mr Corbett would have us believe that when Gordon Brown announced “British jobs for British people” he was meaning that British people should have the best training and access to jobs without discrimination.
This is, of course, not what Mr Brown was saying when he was trying to appeal to Labour supporters at the TUC in Brighton.
Mr Brown said he wanted to fast-track British people into vacant British jobs, even though he knew this was impossible.
Mr Corbett is trying to reinterpret Mr Brown’s speech as he knows what he was saying was illegal under EU law.
Mr Corbett goes on to say that nearly two million British people are employed in the EU; I think he will find that two million is the number of British people who live in the EU, rather than work.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 30/03/09
SIR – I have to agree with R J Lacey’s letter ‘parking penalties’ (T&A, March 11), 61 parking offences does seem rather excessive.
The other thing that concerns me is the evolution of traffic wardens, now known as civil enforcement officers.
As well as having a new name and outfit, they have also been afforded new powers. As well as enforcing the multitudes of parking offences, they can now also assist with preventing anti-social behaviour.
Furthermore, the Traffic Management Act, which ushered in the new officers, also makes provision for the appropriate national authority to confer further “special powers” on traffic officers. These special powers would be the same powers granted to police officers.
The Government might deny that these special powers will ever by activated, but I think the name Civil Enforcement Officers gives the game away.
It looks like we have more ‘cut price coppers’ on the way.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 27/03/09
We need to know the true cost of European Union membership
There is a question which has been asked repeatedly and no answer given other than the usual fudge from europhile politicians, "Why bother - it's obvious it's a good thing."
There is a question which has been asked repeatedly and no answer given other than the usual fudge from europhile politicians, "Why bother - it's obvious it's a good thing."
The question is, WHY have the people of this country been denied a Cost Benefit Analysis of our membership of the European Union?
The European Union Elections are due in June and clearly the three main parties which are all fully committed to the EU, DARE NOT have such information going before the voting public.
Ergo, none of these three (or Greens, who are just as bad] must get our vote.
How can we possibly vote for people unwilling to let us know the costs of such a massive enterprise.
The Bruges Group thinks the cost is a heart-stopping £55 billion annually. Nobody seems to want to try to prove their figure wrong?
Have you ever wondered why not?
Have you ever wondered why not?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 23/03/09
True measure of EU power, straight from the horse's mouth
I have heard Labour MEPs claim, on more than one occasion, that only 9 per cent of our laws actually originate from the EU government in Brussels.
I have heard Labour MEPs claim, on more than one occasion, that only 9 per cent of our laws actually originate from the EU government in Brussels.
Of course nobody believes this but we now have conformation of how much power has been handed to the EU, the information coming right from the heart of the beast.
On February 19, new EU President Vaclav Klaus' made a speech in which he accused the EU of having a "democratic deficit" and a "loss of democratic accountability".
European Parliament President Pottering responded to President Klaus' speech saying: "The European parliament is an important institution. Were we not so influential today, were we not the legislator in 75 per cent of cases today, and were we not the co-legislator in almost 100 per cent of cases under the Lisbon Treaty?"
Maybe if our Labour MEPs had not walked out half way through President Klaus' speech, they might have heard this admission from the EU Parliament President himself.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 09/03/09
No opposition, no freedom...
On February 19, new Czech and EU President Vaclav Klaus addressed the European Parliament with a superb speech.
On February 19, new Czech and EU President Vaclav Klaus addressed the European Parliament with a superb speech.
President Klaus had this to say: "In a normal parliamentary system, a fraction of MPs supports the government and a fraction support the opposition. In the European Parliament this arrangement is missing; here only one single alternative is being promoted, and those who dare think differently are labelled enemies of European integration.
"Not so long ago in our part of Europe, we lived in a political system which permitted no alternatives and therefore also no parliamentary opposition. It was through this experience that we learned the bitter lesson that when there is no opposition, there is no freedom."
There was much more criticism of the EU but this was the flavour of his historic speech.
How was this speech received in the European Parliament? Well the British Tories shook their heads while the British Labour Party actually stood up halfway through his speech and walked out! Showing total disrespect for the new EU President and proving that the pro-EU parties simply will not accept an alternative view, actually validating the speech that President Klaus had made.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 06/03/09
They must see EU is not our friend
The expression "Common Energy Resources" sounds innocent enough but do remember the European Union's Common Fisheries Policy and Common Agricultural Policy – both disastrous.
The expression "Common Energy Resources" sounds innocent enough but do remember the European Union's Common Fisheries Policy and Common Agricultural Policy – both disastrous.
EU leaders are now demanding control of the UK's energy reserves. What does it take to get the message across to europhiles that the EU is not some Utopian ideal but a profoundly sinister organisation, which is most emphatically not benevolent towards us and it is extremely difficult to prove that it even possesses the status of a casual friend.
Not exactly the Common Market we voted for, is it?
Not exactly the Common Market we voted for, is it?
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 23/02/09
Ban is not the way to win debate
I must object to the Government's decision to ban the showing of Dutch MP Geert Widers's film regarding the Koran.
It is just another example of this Government's suppression of freedom of speech. Whether you agree with Mr Wilders's view or not, surely we must all support his right to express his views?
I think it is important that people should be able to see this film and to draw their own conclusions. My own conclusions were that you can probably find extreme passages from most religious books and didn't find Mr Wilders's argument very convincing, although the film opened up some interesting questions, such as: is Islam compatible with a liberal/free society?
By banning the showing of this film, our Government have handed this man much credibility. If you disagree with somebody's views then surely you should open the subject up to debate? Yet it seems both the Government and much of the Muslim community are afraid of such a debate.
I must object to the Government's decision to ban the showing of Dutch MP Geert Widers's film regarding the Koran.
It is just another example of this Government's suppression of freedom of speech. Whether you agree with Mr Wilders's view or not, surely we must all support his right to express his views?
I think it is important that people should be able to see this film and to draw their own conclusions. My own conclusions were that you can probably find extreme passages from most religious books and didn't find Mr Wilders's argument very convincing, although the film opened up some interesting questions, such as: is Islam compatible with a liberal/free society?
By banning the showing of this film, our Government have handed this man much credibility. If you disagree with somebody's views then surely you should open the subject up to debate? Yet it seems both the Government and much of the Muslim community are afraid of such a debate.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 20/02/09
No jobs guarantee
SIR – The recent strikes at Lindsey Oil Refinery has once again seen government spin spin back around and bite them.
SIR – The recent strikes at Lindsey Oil Refinery has once again seen government spin spin back around and bite them.
‘British jobs for British workers’ is something the Government cannot deliver, even if it wanted to, as it is illegal under EU law.
I fear this is the first of many strikes as workers, and indeed trade unions, are beginning to realise what it means to be a subordinate state of the EU.
Of course, the Government’s former EU Commissioner, Lord Mandelson, has come out to defend the EU policy, which is hardly surprising, as he is still being paid £78K per year from the EU and is set to receive his EU pension in just a few year’s time. Gordon Brown’s new master plan is to create more jobs for the British. This will be funded, of course, by tax increases. So we will be paying the bill for job creation without any guarantee these jobs will be available to British people.
Only as an independent country could we guarantee ‘British jobs for British people’, and only one decent party can deliver this.
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 18/02/09
Simple rule: No charge – no DNA
It was good to see New Labour stumble again on their rush towards creating their database state.
It was good to see New Labour stumble again on their rush towards creating their database state.
Two British men have won a European Court ruling that says they should not have their DNA retained by police. Both men had been arrested but later released without charge and believed; rightfully, I think that their DNA should not be retained.
The European courts judges stated the retention of DNA "could not be regarded as necessary in a democratic society" adding that they were "struck by the blanket and indiscriminate nature of the power of retention in England and Wales". Aren't we all?
Currently, the DNA of about four-and-a-half million people is held. One in five of them do not have a current criminal record.
The Government claimed the existing law would stay in place while they carefully consider the judgement. It is very simple, no charge – no DNA.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 16/02/09
Disgust at new vote
SIR – On May 16, 2008, the High Court ruled, rightly I believe, that MPs’ expenses must be published under the Freedom of Information Act.
SIR – On May 16, 2008, the High Court ruled, rightly I believe, that MPs’ expenses must be published under the Freedom of Information Act.
Fast forward to this Thursday and our very opaque MPs are voting to change the law to keep their expenses secret after all. This vote will happen just before publication of their expenses is due. How disgusting!
I eagerly await the vote to see how our Bradford MPs vote.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 30/01/09
Climate flight of fancy
SIR – As the Government has approved a third runway at Heathrow Airport, I would like to ask our resident Bradford Labour MPs how exactly this affects the Government’s carbon footprint and how, if at all, they are planning to offset this?
SIR – As the Government has approved a third runway at Heathrow Airport, I would like to ask our resident Bradford Labour MPs how exactly this affects the Government’s carbon footprint and how, if at all, they are planning to offset this?
The Government continues to ram down our throats that we all need to reduce our carbon emissions or the Earth will be doomed to global meltdown, yet they have given the okay to a runway which will increase air traffic from 480,000 take-offs and landings per year to 605,000 by 2020 and to 720,000 by 2030?
I do not believe we are doomed due to this alleged ‘global warming’ and, as this latest Government decision proves, I don’t think they believe it either.
‘Global warming’ is clearly a convenient excuse by the Government to tax us further into oblivion.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Telegraph & Argus, 27/01/09
EU president who refuses to fly flag
There could be interesting times ahead for the EU as they usher in their new president, in the shape of Euro-sceptic Czech leader, Vaclav Klaus.
Mr Klaus has regularly criticised major EU policies. He has refused to sign the Lisbon Treaty and dismisses EU climate-change legislation as a "silly luxury" that will exacerbate the international financial crisis.
He also refuses to fly the EU flag over public buildings, saying it reminds him of the days when his country was made to fly the Soviet flag.
Former EU president Nicolas Sarkozy of France called his stance an "outrage". Clearly it is outrageous that any leader of a member state may want to retain some sovereignty?
British Liberal Democrat MEP Andrew Duff said: "Older member states want to see if a former Warsaw Pact country can be counted on for this responsibility."
Obviously in Lib Dem land, standing up for your country's best interests is not responsible.
The pro EU fanatics fear that Mr Klaus may bring the EU juggernaut to a grinding halt. Well, we can only hope.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
There could be interesting times ahead for the EU as they usher in their new president, in the shape of Euro-sceptic Czech leader, Vaclav Klaus.
Mr Klaus has regularly criticised major EU policies. He has refused to sign the Lisbon Treaty and dismisses EU climate-change legislation as a "silly luxury" that will exacerbate the international financial crisis.
He also refuses to fly the EU flag over public buildings, saying it reminds him of the days when his country was made to fly the Soviet flag.
Former EU president Nicolas Sarkozy of France called his stance an "outrage". Clearly it is outrageous that any leader of a member state may want to retain some sovereignty?
British Liberal Democrat MEP Andrew Duff said: "Older member states want to see if a former Warsaw Pact country can be counted on for this responsibility."
Obviously in Lib Dem land, standing up for your country's best interests is not responsible.
The pro EU fanatics fear that Mr Klaus may bring the EU juggernaut to a grinding halt. Well, we can only hope.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 24/01/09
Are we ready to vote against the EU?
A recent YouGov survey commissioned by the TaxPayers Alliance and Global Vision reports that 45 per cent of people say the Tories, Labour and the Lib Dems do not reflect their views on Europe, with 64 per cent of the population demanding radical change in Britain's relationship with the EU, including an end to political integration.
A recent YouGov survey commissioned by the TaxPayers Alliance and Global Vision reports that 45 per cent of people say the Tories, Labour and the Lib Dems do not reflect their views on Europe, with 64 per cent of the population demanding radical change in Britain's relationship with the EU, including an end to political integration.
Only 22 per cent of the population support Britain remaining an EU member on current terms.
Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "The EU affects almost every aspect of our lives, from the workplace to prices in the supermarket. It lands a huge cost on ordinary families that they can ill-afford to bear, especially during the recession.
"People have a right to know how their money is being squandered in Brussels and we are going to expose what is really going on."
In a country where the people are routinely ignored and political consensus is the order of the day and with the promised EU referendum off the agenda, maybe the people could be ready to cast their vote against the EU in the European Union elections!
Jason Smith UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 23/01/09
Ken's return shows where Tories going
The impending return to the Tory front bench of Kenneth Clarke should give us an insight in to where the Tories are going.
The impending return to the Tory front bench of Kenneth Clarke should give us an insight in to where the Tories are going.
If Mr Clarke had his way it would be even deeper, if that's possible, in to the EU.
The idea of the return of the "big beast" is not sitting well with what is left of the real Tories: Norman Tebbit and John Redwood have already attacked this decision fearing for the future of their party.
Isn't it interesting that both the Labour and Tory Business Secretaries are fanatically pro-EU? I wonder how long will it be before the New Labour/ Blue Labour consensus agree that we need to adopt the Euro?
It is now clear that the Tories are walking ever closer behind New Labour, and when you walk behind the view never changes!
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 22/01/09
Was 'P' word Prince Harry used really racist?
While I think Prince Harry probably needs to think a little before making comments, I do think his use of the "P" word is being blown out of proportion.
While I think Prince Harry probably needs to think a little before making comments, I do think his use of the "P" word is being blown out of proportion.
The Pakistani officer who the comment was made towards has not made a formal complaint and it looks to all intents and purposes to have been a comment made in jest.
Personally I do not think this term is racist, after all if somebody called me a "Brit" I'd think, well, thanks very much. I think our country is getting bogged down in the too much politically-correct horse manure.
It seems like "racist" terms only matter when certain people are using them, for example I recently listened to a popular rap song to discover the "N" word used routinely?
I also feel the generic term "Asian" for everyone that originates from the continent of Asia is quite an unhelpful term, after all why should you be lumping very different peoples and cultures into the same bracket, Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Pakistani people are very different so why not call them what they are.
I know Chinese and Indian people who would prefer not to be labelled as Asians.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 21/01/09
Pound value adds to cost
More good news from Brussels.
European Union costs will increase by nearly £4 billion, because of the collapse of the pound's value against the euro.
More good news from Brussels.
European Union costs will increase by nearly £4 billion, because of the collapse of the pound's value against the euro.
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford Chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
Halifax Courier, 16/01/09
SIR – I see that the Bruges Group now estimates British membership of the EU is holding back our GDP by at least £28 billion a year, which, under current conditions, would transform the UK’s economy. Still – not to worry, eh?
Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford
Telegraph & Argus, 15/01/09
