to think Rotherham council have lost the plot over UKIP foster-carers?

[londonone]

bbc

I really really hope there is more to this than is being reported, otherwise I am utterly speechless.

[alemci]

you express the situation very well Seabird. the 'r' term has become far too widely used in society to shut people up who are critical of the immigration situation in GB. everyone walks around on eggshells but most people are concerned about it.

even if the FP's had made a remark about immigration at some point in front of the children so what? Isn't what has happened to them now alot worse.

I've had meals with relatives and we have discussed these issues around the table in front of my own children. Kids can make their own minds up about things.

[Seabird72]

you can support a party and NOT agree with all it's policies - some support parties JUST because their parents did. I agree we should limit immigration but only because I feel the country is under a HUGE amount of presure to try and cope already. Our schools, police force and hospitals simply cannot keep up - we need to get this country back on track - be something to be proud of and then start allowing immigration again but in SENSIBLE numbers like many other countries. Illegal immigrants should be deported unless their lives are in danger although I have no sympathy with people who come to this country to spout racism and then claim their lives will be in danger if they are forced back to their own country - I don't think it's right that people should be living amoungst people they openly hate - racism is racism no matter what the colour of your own skin. If you cannot be tolerant of other people then don't place yourself with them. The UKIP want to take very radical steps to control immigration and people support this idea because they believe it has got out of hand - that's all - but I truly don't believe that in this case these people either necessarily agree with the immigration stance of the party - I don't think they would have agreed to take in the children if they were in any way racist. It's unfair to say people are racist JUST because they want to limit immigration - I have grown up hating racism yet now people feel it's ok to call me racist because I do think immigration is out of control. If the country can cope and have decent services and rights for everyone then that's great - but is an open door policy really such a good one?? Is it untrue that we can't control our borders?? We are a very tolerant country but having an open door policy on immigration has caused so many problems for so many people - and it's not just white British that this affects. It's everyone already living in this country - of any race and culture. But again - I stress - you don't have to agree with every policy of the party you choose to support.

[edam]

UKIP came second in the Rotherham by-election. The Tories were knocked into 5th place, which is astonishing, and the Lib Dems into 8th (losing their deposit). I imagine the UKIP vote was boosted by revulsion at this story - I read it as a protest against the council. (Labour still won but it's a safe Labour seat and the bulk of their supporters wouldn't want to vote UKIP and couldn't bear to vote for the Coalition. Given the Lib Dems are in government, they are no longer the place to go for a protest vote, especially for Labour supporters.)

The BNP came third. I think the council was a huge factor here - they must shoulder some of the blame for pushing people into voting for actual racists, as opposed to those they smeared as racists.

[flatpackhamster]

Latara

But can you think how bad the (European, immigrant) children would have felt if the foster parents had accidentally said anything negative about Europe, Europeans, immigrants or immigration within their hearing?

They are vulnerable children anyway; yes they need a secure home together; but surely one where the foster parents aren't likely to accidentally say anything that the children could perceive as not accepting of them as immigrants would be better.

Oh gosh yes, let's worry about their possible self-esteem in a fantasy situation which doesn't exist rather than admitting that splitting the family up because of the depraved ideology of some rank socialists is a wicked, venal, spiteful thing to do.

[joanbyers]

only an absolute idiot could be opposed to any restrictions on immigration, so it's a red herring.

[ElBurroSinNombre]

Latara,
Could you imagine what the children actually did feel when they were removed from a loving environment and split up - which is what has happened. They would probably have felt terrible and as if they were to blame.

As others have pointed out, you no absaloutely nothing of the views of the foster parents on immigration and yet in your post you are judging them on what they 'might' say at some unknown future point. What is known about the carers actions and is in the public domain, is that the foster carers encouraged the kids to use their native language and themselves made an effort to learn nursery rhymes in Polish. These are hardly the actions of the racist bigots that you imagine them and all UKIP members to be.

Finally, I would like to correct you (again) as you keep referring to people who present a different opinion to you as 'UKIP supporters'. As I pointed out previously, I am not a supporter of UKIP or any right wing party, never have been and never will be.

I simply think it is wrong that these children have been removed on two levels;

1. It is damaging decision for the children
   
2. The couple's freedom of expression has been infringed

[Latara]

But can you think how bad the (European, immigrant) children would have felt if the foster parents had accidentally said anything negative about Europe, Europeans, immigrants or immigration within their hearing?

They are vulnerable children anyway; yes they need a secure home together; but surely one where the foster parents aren't likely to accidentally say anything that the children could perceive as not accepting of them as immigrants would be better.

[Snazzyfeelingfestive]

Edam, I'm where you are politically and I agree that this hasn't been a good decision for the children at all - and their needs and security should have come first by a very long way.

[edam]

(Essentially, it'll be a cold day in hell before I vote for UKIP but this injustice is appalling no matter who you vote for.)

[edam]

I am a bleeding heart leftie do-gooder* and I'm appalled at the behaviour of Rotherham Social Services. They have no business discriminating against people for their political views. That's fundamentally undemocratic and entirely contrary to the mantra of 'the best interests of the child' being at the heart of decision-making.

• better than being a do-badder, I always think.

[MrsBethel]

I think it all boils down to social services, amongst others, falling for this fallacy:

Want to restrict immigration = Must hate immigrants

[Latara]

I don't like insulting people Begonia & no i don't think UKIP are evil etc. I just don't agree with their views & that's allowed isn't it?

[BegoniaBampot]

Latara - Interesting to see how unpleasantly UKIP supporters react when you disagree with them.

Are you serious? that the best insult you can come up with? Bet you can spot the UKIPS supporters on this thread by their evil eyed, hand wringing shifty gaze. Probably have a tail and some scales as well.

[joanbyers]

There are racists in bigots in UKIP, but there are also racists and bigots in the Labour party, at least according to Gordon Brown....

[EIizaDay]

Well I'm a UKIP supporter NOW (as of about a month ago). Was always a Tory but they've lost their backbone so there's no other choice really.

[TheOriginalSteamingNit]

You can tell a rubbish effort at satire when it has to explain its play on words in brackets. Apart from that, yes, UKIP are exactly like the Jews in WWII. But exactly.

[Latara]

I am not deluded, a lefty bleeding heart do-gooder, want children to not have a loving stable home etc etc.

I merely repeated what is on the UKIP's own election leaflet.
& concluded from the UKIPs own words that immigrant children are not suitable in a strongly UKIP supporting home (UKIP does not agree with immigration).

That's just my opinion.

The reactions to my comment & short opinion have been incredibly over the top.

I also agree with ScottishMummy - we don't know the full story here.

[Latara]

Interesting to see how unpleasantly UKIP supporters react when you disagree with them.

[scottishmummy]

do not paraphrase,or misquote me i have never said there must be more to it
there was tip off that was the soemthing,i so wonde if more disclsure to follow from either local authority of fp
i think potentially more info will follow, and id be interested to read it

[edam]

Scottish, SS have said it was a 'tip off' - a call from someone saying 'this couple are members of UKIP'.

Insisting that 'there must be more to it' is a slur on this couple. SS have said publicly there were NO concerns about the quality of care at all. It is purely about UKIP and SS's assumption that UKIP membership = racist.