IN the opinions page of the Derby Telegraph, December 13, Margot Parker UKIP MEP for the East Midlands, agreed with a previous writer saying "politicians are out of touch, their policies are flimsy and often there is nothing to choose between them, hence the apathy and, in some cases total anger and frustration at what is going on".
I would agree with these sentiments but I would include UKIP in the reference to "politicians".
In March 2011, 750,000 people marched in London against the Con-Dem austerity programme. Two weeks later 350 people attended a pro-cuts protest. This was organised in part by UKIP and was addressed by Nigel Farage. At one point, people chanted: "What do we want? Cuts! When do we want them? Now!"
One of the most vocal supporters of the rally, the author Toby Young, apologised for missing it because he had a previous engagement at a pirate exhibition.
It seems to me that UKIP are as much out of touch as all the others.
UKIP is led by a former stockbroker and bankrolled by millionaires.
So what is the Commons voting record of UKIP's newest MP, Tory defector Douglas Carswell?
He voted for: £9,000 a year tuition fees; the bedroom tax; reducing the rate of corporation tax; ending financial support to 16-19-year-olds in further education and training; the privatisation of Royal Mail; restricting the scope of legal aid; capping civil service redundancy payments; privatising forests...
He voted against: a bankers' bonus tax; restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents; a mansion tax; equal gay rights; raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices; slowing rise in rail fares...
Not much support for the working and middle classes here then!
UKIP are just another establishment party and will offer no way out for ordinary people in next May's elections.
The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) opposes all cuts to jobs and services and calls on councils to use their reserves to prevent the immediate cuts to our services.
They should then launch a mass campaign to win funds from central government to meet the needs of the local community.
TUSC is aiming to stand nationally in over 100 parliamentary seats and 1,000 council seats next year on the programme above.
We aim to offer a real alternative to all the establishment parties.
Charlie Taylor
Derby TUSC
