h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi sprout,

You have written a very good article on the MEPs. I live in Ireland and just before the elections I went to the UK (Norfolk) for a day. The difference between the election advertising in Ireland and the UK was incredible. In Ireland, you couldn't find a spare lamp-post anywhere that didn't have someone's face on it. I go to England, and it's like as if the elections were not happening at all. What was worse was the fact that the highest profile advertisements were clearly UKIP! I don't know if that is a feature of the electorate in the area or whatever, but the contrast between the two countries was particularly strong.

Looking from the outside in, the fact that UKIP are so strong in England is very worrying, I think. The words "anti-foreigner" seem to ring very strong with this party and their support base. I had a queasy feeling being there just that one day. I used to feel the same at times when I lived in Northern Ireland a few years ago. In certain areas you didn't open your mouth in case people took exception to your accent and, by implication, where you came from.

Good work!

Woodpigeon

Hi Woodpigeon

I think it is very sad what is happening in England at the moment. I say England, because I don't think the problem is nearly as bad in Wales or Scotland, afaik.

There seems to be a sort of movement whereby it's OK to be xenophobic as long as you find a convenient scapegoat, like immigrants or the EU.

The press we have in England encourages this kind of feeling, makes it acceptable, and I can't really see many people standing up to say it is not right - many of the politicians would rather pander to it.

I work with a lot of people from all over Europe here, and I find it increasingly hard to explain what is happening in the UK when they ask me.

Oh well, hopefully the UKIP phenomenon will make people realise what's going on,



sprout