What is Ukip?

Apart from Nigel Farage and what they tell and want us to think and believe, what is Ukip? And what besides leaving the EU and stopping immigration does it stand for? What’s their record in government? These are some of the questions that come to mind whenever I hear journos and politicos debate the organization’s rise and sudden prominence in the polls. And I can’t help but wonder how is mocking and belittling the EU instead of standing- up for it, is going to help and safeguard the UK and UK interests?

To date, they control zero councils. That makes it even more challenging for voters to judge them on their record. How can anyone assess an organization on something it never achieved? That too adds to the challenge, because it becomes impossible to establish how they manage public money, plan spending, organize and run communities. All of that leaves voters unfamiliar with their ability of handling those things that matter to the public.

A few weeks ago they won their first parliamentary seat. But it can be argued the Member of Parliament held the seat predominantly on his own personal popularity. Their MEPs are notorious for not attending debates and hardly vote on any issue, including serious matters such as saving the UK’s money from the grubby fingers of the EU. So how can anyone judge what Ukip is?

In the European Parliament, when they attend, they use every given opportunity to make a show. Even at the cost of their own self-respect, such as refusing to stand or turn their backs when the EU anthem is performed. Or their leader publicly asking Mr Van Rompuy “Who are you Mr President, I never heard of you…” and similar media stunts. They are great at no substance attention seeking gimmicks, yet offer no concrete coherent solutions or hold the very organisation they vehemently despise to account on any matter that benefits the UK and those who elected them to represent them and speak on their behalf.

Just as Farage asked Van Rompuy who are you, British voters want to know what Ukip is and it has done for Britain?

I know, at this stage of the electoral cycle every party is saving exciting policies for later, hoping to score big with their announcement. But with the general election only six month away, at least the basic skeleton of the organization’s policies on taxes, the NHS, education, housing, transport and crime should by this stage be known. The public should, and have the right to at least have an idea where the organization stands on the basics.

Everybody knows perfectly well they are for the UK completely coming out of the EU. Yet, we were never once told how they plan to go about it. Will we come out via a democratic referendum – where the voting public cast their vote for or against our membership in the European Union? Will the public have a say on the type of relationship they want, whether fully pull out, fully staying in or negotiate a new relationship different to what we currently have? Because last I checked not every Brit wants the same relationship with the EU and a huge percentage don’t even know what affiliation they prefer. Those undecided, are looking for someone to persuade them one way or the other.

So, how will a Ukip government or coalition manage the EU issue?

Does anyone know? Because, though I clearly know they wants us out of the union, I have no idea how they plan to go about doing it.

The same with immigration, do they want control orders, closed boarders, limits on some immigrants not on others? Plus what will they do about illegal immigrants currently inside the UK? Until the EU question is settled, how will they control immigration from inside the EU? Especially if they don’t respect and hardly communicate with any decision makers in Brussels!

Don’t get me wrong, I respect their patriotism, and how they love and jealously guard and regard our country. But childishly turning your back on what you don’t like is akin to accepting a dinner invite, then openly spit in the food because you don’t approve or like the host. It’s disrespectful to everyone – the host, the guests, and the offender and to the people he/she represents. It definitely does not ‘win friends and influence people’ and leaves a negative connotation. In short, such juvenile behaviors are bad all around. They are bad for business, for collaboration and for basic civilities.

So, does anyone actually know what Ukip is? I am still trying to work it out – what about you?