UKIP and the Principle of Independence

9th January 2007

Hi Derek,

I agree with (most of) UKIP's policies, but I think the party has still to find it's ground in British politics - mainly because our system is such that 'single-issue' parties don't really stand a chance.

I think UKIP could have a real chance in the next election (the profound weakness of the current mainstream parties offers a unique opportunity) but only if it's mission is more generic that simply 'independence from the EU'...

It seems to me that UKIP's mission and overriding principle should be INDEPENDENCE in general: For the UK as a whole, and also for it's citizens individually.

Independence For Energy

A timely example is independence for energy. With Russia holding Belarus, and hence Poland, Germany, (ultimately us), to ransom over oil/gas, I strongly believe the UK should gain independence for energy production. I do take exception to UKIP's support of nuclear power because it is an immature, unnecessarily complex, and highly dangerous technology.

There are so many ways to generate energy renewably that *the costs and risks of nuclear power are in no way justifiable*.

The best way to gain independence for energy - for the whole UK, while *simultaneously becoming carbon-neutral* is to:

• Remove all taxes from renewable energy products and services. (From chip fat to sewage/methane plants). This makes viable the businesses which will provide our energy (currently they are either taxed out of the market - as in chip fat, or they are simply too expensive so a tax-break would help).
• Change building regulations so all new homes are carbon neutral. (i.e. a renewable energy source is required for each new home. If it could be set at 3Kw per home, then this would provide enough energy to power the home, AND an electric car (the average household uses 2.6Kw of energy - including transport! )
• Tax aircraft fuel at the same level as petrol, and spend the tax raised on large-scale energy projects - such as tidal lagoons.
• Invest in the national grid so it has storage capacity. Require all electricity meters to be two way - so energy can be sold back to the grid automatically from all homes. Drop the fee & minimum required to sell back to the grid.

These policies would stop the UK's CO2 emissions dead within 10 years, and would make us totally independent for our energy needs. It would also give us the most robust energy grid in the world, generating power from millions of diverse sources. Wouldn't it be nice if the UK could lead the rest of the world - by example...

Ok, that's the energy crisis solved, and (our contribution to) global warming averted.

Independence For People

I think UKIP should also aim to redress the balance between state and citizen. The state has become almighty, and it does not serve the people. It does things which few would vote for - even if we were given the opportunity.

I believe that we need a new principle of law in the UK: If what you're doing is consensual and does not directly harm anyone else - then it is legal.

On this principle, prostitution is no longer a crime. Prostitution should be legal. I've never been to one in my life - It's too creepy, but they are not harming anyone else - so why should it be illegal?

All drugs should be legalised, sold through licensed premises, taxed moderately and the money raised should be spent on rehab clinics, needle-exchange etc. (150,000 people were refused rehab in 2005 - because there weren't enough places)

The nanny-state is ripe for attack. People are sick of being treated like children, and if UKIP could stand up for them, it could find a huge following.

Tony Blair talks about 'respect' - and there is a lack of it - certainly for politicians, the law, old folks... But to have respect, you have to have principles, and you have to treat others with respect... People should be treated with enough respect that they can take drugs, go to prostitutes, or drive over the speed limit where appropriate, when they want. Equally if someone harms another, the law should be sure, swift and punishing. So few crimes are actually punished these days, it's no wonder there's no respect for the law.

Independence For Businesses

The Tories under David Cameron seem to have forgotten their roots. They don't understand the moral case for low taxes, and small government. Low taxes and less regulation would mean more business, more innovation, and greater prosperity.

Small businesses are the most efficient in every way, but the mountain of regulations they face make it hard for the small business to compete with larger businesses who can have staff dedicated to dealing with employment, tax, heath & safety etc. etc...

Only businesses generate wealth. Government can only consume it. The best a government can do is to provide an environment in which business can flourish.

There are a lot of people out there who would love to be able to vote for a party who can grab the bull by the horns and say - yes - we can reduce taxes and regulation a lot - by getting rid of huge amounts of useless government (for example the DTI!). It should be easy to build a list... Oh look someone already has:

http://www.derbygripe.co.uk/govwaste.htm

Well, I could go on... I hope we can chat about these things...

Reply From Derek

Have not had enough time to digest all your comments, but initially think I agree with much of what you have to say on how the country should be run.

Certainly there is too much Government interference in both business and private lives Too much bureaucracy and officialdom preventing or slowing growth and damaging the viability of many small and medium businesses. Too much taxation because of the huge number of people employed in non-productive jobs in the Civil Service, especially the DTI, and Whitehall generally. Also the waste and inefficiency caused by unending EU and Government regulations, directives and petty rules imposed by an army of interfering buisybodies and thought police that produce zero productivity and hamper those that do produce useful output.

Do not agree with you on nuclear because, in theory, a bucket of seawater could produce enough energy by the fusion process to supply the whole of Britain's energy requirements for several decades. Obviously this will never be achieved in practice, but shouldn't we be spending money on research and development for the future energy requirements of our country instead of pouring virtually all our resources into wind generaters that produce no output when there is no wind (Usually in cold frosty weather - anti-cyclonic periods) and have to be switched off when the wind blows too hard and cause envirenmental damage producing the materials in their manufacture: mining the ore, smelting and refining the metal and pouring thousands of tons of concrete for the foundations, paths and roads required for each wind farm Many of the wind-farms built in the USA and other countries many years ago are prodcing only a fraction of their specified output and many need expensive refurbishment. Hope you don't mind a little disagreement on this subject.

I agree with everything you say about concensual law and the freedom of the individual to paticipate in anything that does not harm or interfere with other people. Prostitution should be legalised and safe centres established without the need for pimps and crimelords. Medical checkups should be mandatory and any lady with a sexual disease or infection should be removed from the trade until she is free of that malady. Perhaps the men should have medical checkups too so that sexual diseases are removed from the oldest trade in the world, and maybe the general population too.

Well, these are my personal views and not necessarily those of the UKIP. Civilized people should be able to disagree, but accept that everyone is entitled to their opinion even if it is unpalatable, unreasonable, unscientific or just daft or stupid to the protagonist.

Next Installment

The Solution to Global Warming: No Taxes on Renewables

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