Ukip voters far from the caricature

I VOTED for Ukip in the last European elections. Short of evidence to the contrary, I assume that those who voted as I did are equally educated, rational and well informed. There is an irony in Ratna Lachman’s claim (The Yorkshire Post, October 17) that Ukip displays a “two-dimensional caricature of Britain’s relationship with Europe”. I would say that Ms Lachman’s argument displays a two-dimensional caricature of those who voted Ukip.

I expect that those who voted Ukip well understand the contribution made by foreign workers to the NHS and the importance of migrant seasonal workers to the economy. It’s obvious. What shocks is the lack of regulation and selection. If a convicted murderer can enter the country undetected it suggests that immigration is ill-monitored and totally out of control.

The Europe we signed up to was not the expansionist Euroland of today. Cameron’s distant referendum is more a bargaining counter than a promise.

Such a transparent stratagem would not deceive a school-age child let alone the British voting public.

How I shall vote at the general election depends on many things. At the moment the major parties are compromised by unsettled and dubious leadership. Rather than the “toxic cloud”, gloomily forecast by Ratna Lachman, Ukip’s glimmer of hope could itself turn out to be the political silver lining.

From: Chris Giddings, Halifax.

ON a recent visit to Rome I was attacked and relieved of my wallet by a person described by others as “Eastern European”.

The Italian police, it appeared, would only take a statement, sign and confirm it and give a copy. They did not seem willing to try and pursue matters further as they said there were too many of these types of crime for them to devote manpower to.

My wife and I visited two centres in Italy, Florence and Rome, both cities rife with people begging. They were mainly from Eastern Europe or, as the Italians said, Roma Gypsies. The Italians are just as fed up as we in Britain are with the constant flow of economic migrants from all parts of Europe and other countries, especially as it is leading to an increase in crime and over-burdening of housing infrastructure, health, education and police services.

I can only say good riddance to Jose Manuel Barroso as European Commission President, and hope that his successor does a much better job. If the UK stands any chance of of providing a decent standard of living for its citizens, then immigration must be severely limited. I hope that our Government has the strength and commitment to ensure that the very rigid EU principles are reviewed and amended to cater for the changing needs of our time and economy.

It is now important that the principle of free movement of people is looked at very closely as its current operation is making many people think long and hard about the UK remaining in the EU.

Questions on city homes

From: Diana M Davis, Rawdon, Leeds.

I WAS very heartened to read the article (The Yorkshire Post, October 16), that work has 
begun on the transformation 
of the old Kirkstall Forge site 
in Leeds.

This is long overdue. I hope that most of the 1,000 homes will be within the range of first time buyers and that the necessary infrastructure will be provided, especially a primary school and doctor’s surgery.

Both are in short supply along the A65 trunk route.

I would suggest as regards a school, that this is built first as there appear to be loopholes in existence which can result in the builders not fulfilling their obligations.

Whose final responsibility is that? Leeds City Council? And finally, would the total sum of dwellings go towards the number recently put forward by the Government for the Leeds 
area – or again is this another way of adding 1,000 houses to the final total because this project has been in the pipeline for a number of years?

A taste of the past at Bettys

From: Mr D Clements, Shire Oak Road, Headingley

BETTY’S cameo role in Downton Abbey (The Yorkshire Post, 16 October) reminds me of their delicious curd pies, absent from the counter for 53 years.

It’s good for me to relish 
the taste of them again, 
however it’s difficult to get a 
good tasty cup of tea to go with one of them.

Is it because boiling water now is no longer poured directly on to the tea bags?

One rule for the MPs...

From: ME Wright, Harrogate.

I REFER to your article “Health services hit by strike action over pay” (The Yorkshire Post, October 18) to which MetaLive in your Feedback column comments “MPs awarded themselves a staggering 12 per cent”.

Not quite true: they were awarded it by their independent review body and thus had no option but to take it – they claim.

Given that “we’re all in this together” could someone explain why the same doesn’t go for the health workers?