When A Politician Literally Makes You Say..."what The Hell???"

[sp1814]

David Cameron was roundly castigated in parts of the press when he referred to UKIP as being a party of 'fruitcakes'.

Now that we see the views of one of it's somewhat fruitiest of cakes, should we reassess our new 'third party'?

Seriously - isn't this just incredibly stupid? Or has he articulated a popular sentiment?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/dec/18/ukip-candidate-abortion-for-downs-syndrome

By the way - free euthanasia advice for those over 80?

Seriously???

[Canary42]

UKIP provides legitimacy for racists and other undesirables. The NAZI party resurrected.

[China Doll]

Eeek... I think the forcing of mothers is a tad harsh to say the least! But I do agree that it's a choice people have the right to make.

[sp1814]

To me, it's the idea if mothers being 'forced' into having abortions that rings alarm bells. I mean, what about Catholic women??? What this man (why does it always seem to be men) seems to be suggesting sounds very close to eugenics.

Stunning.

Does UKIP have any kind of selection process when choosing candidates???

[jno]

it's only because it's Christmas and the season of goodwill that he shows so much compassion. You just wait till it's midwinter and he's feeling grumpy.

[BillyBB]

story slightly spoiled by the fact he isn't actually a UKIP candidate, if voted in he would not represent UKIP and none of the policies mentioned are even in the same vein as UKIP thinking


I am NOT a member of UKIP

[emmie]

stupid comments, not alone in his opinion though i am sure, i am not one of them by the way.

[sp1814]

em10

Really? But surely not a very popular position? Forced terminations?

And why euthanasia advice specifically for the over 80s? Why not for all?

[naomi24]

//Seriously - isn't this just incredibly stupid? Or has he articulated a popular sentiment?//

I don't think he's articulated a popular sentiment - and stupid is not a word I'd use to describe him. Shades of Nazism - and people who think like that are seriously scary!!

[sandyRoe]

He's aged 66 (same as me). He must be approaching that time of life when he will become a burden on the state. Should he not consider euthanasia for himself?

[rockyracoon]

Hmmm, he's only got 14 years to go, lets hope someone points him towards the Dignitas clinic, stupid man.

[Old_Geezer]

Meant free advice for all, surely.

[Old_Geezer]

Having now read some of the article (until bored and skimming to the end) I think this is just one of those examples where a politician's personal views are not necessarily always what the party the represent would like them to hold.
It's a free country the thought police isn't around quite, yet. Whether he got a reprimand or a suspension is probaby down to press interest. And I have no doubt this sort of thing is an issue for all parties.

BTW the suggestion that UKIP is racist and Nazi is unsupportable and merely an attempt to stifle legitimate concern with immigration.

[jake-the-peg]

//story slightly spoiled by the fact he isn't actually a UKIP candidate//

Not any more he's not he was suspended after that!

Whether or not it's UKIP policy is missing the point.


The point is

A) It shows us the sort of people UKIP is attracting

B) UKIP does not have sufficient controls to weed out undesirables like this before they become election candidates.

[ichkeria]

The issue with UKIP and selection I'd imagine is that, like other small parties, they are presumably keener/more desperate to attract or accept people into their ranks and so they care less about who they let in.
In my opinion Cameron should be trying to put clear "blue" water between himself and these people. He's in no man's land at the moment.

[sp1814]

Old_Geezer

Yes, it's a free country, and that gives us the right to hold politicians to account for their views.

If someone states something that others find repugnant, it behoves us to challenge them surely?

[jno]

UKIP are currently torn between being The Party that Dares to Tell the Truth - which means welcoming outspoken candidates - and The Party that's Ready to Enter a Coalition - which means no loonies. Hence their belated second thoughts after initially backing Clark.

[ichkeria]

"UKIP are currently torn between being The Party that Dares to Tell the Truth ...

One thing I've learned over the years is to beware of people who "dare to tell the truth" ...

[anotheoldgit]

Well he has certainly upset the Guardian and it's readers, along with all those who are anti-UKIP, I wonder why?

Methinks it's not just because of a UKIP election party's candidates personal opinions.

Incidentally are his ideas on saving NHS money any different from those that suggest that anyone who is obese or a smoker etc, shouldn't be treated by the NHS?

[Old_Geezer]

And he has been challenged, has he not ?

It just seems to me this is being made into a big thing because it is UKIP, whereas the main parties have embarrassing MP/candidate statements every now and again too.