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.

gordy

This is what you said;

people do seem to hate this country don't they - and want so badly to change it from the fair, just, island that fights for the underdog to some kind of closed minded, closed state where people will forced into things

You are not engaging at all in what people have to say - you are saying that people who express a view that you don't agree with 'hate this country'. I see that as an attempt to end the debate and in effect silence people.

Personally, I think that one of our great strengths id the freedom to say and think what we want. I am not actually a UKIP supporter or anything like - I just think that this decision is wrong.

gordy - you remind me of a little of Gordon Brown dismissing an old lady as a 'bigot' because she said something he did not want to hear.

Guardian website has a quote from the head of the fostering network saying that membership of political parties is not banned for foster carers
There is also a quote from the head ? Of council saying foster carers are not banned if they are members of the BNP! I assume he meant UKIP - they are not at all the same thing
And finally it is ridiculous to expect any member of a political party to support each and every policy the leadership draw up. Both labour and tories should ask themselves why people are moving to parties like ukip, and also why the are not engaging with politics at all. Forty years ago, more of us would have been members of a political party and so would perhaps have been a bit more mature about what that actually meant

"I would guess that removing them will have traumatised them - how is that in their best interest?"

You do know that it was only a temporary placement anyway right?

Sorry have n't read the whole thread but I don't think UKIP are a racist party and I speak as a first generation immigrant. I think we do have to discuss the impact mass immigration over the past decade has had on this country and the lives of the people already living here (native Britons and immigrants alike). I think multicultralism was initially a good thing but has been hijackedby some groups to promote their own interests. I think multiculturalism is also to blame for the recent case of serious abuse of girls by Pakistani men. Some practices of immigrants are at odds with the beliefs and culture of the UK but we have become too scared to question these for fear of appearing racist. I think UKIP are right to question our position in the EU and mass immigration in this country and I think Rotherham council are misguided in their actions as they equate anyone who does this as being racists

Its not any particular set of beliefs that is wrong. It's simply that if you hold beliefs that directly contradict the needs of the children that could be placed with you, you are not suitable to foster. This is not a new a radical idea.
Should neo-nazi sympathisers be given jewish children to foster?
Should BNP officers be given african immigrant children to foster?
Should fundamentalist christians be given gay teens to foster?
Should fundamentalist muslims be given catholic children to foster?
No, is the obvious answer. This is not discrimination, this is COMMON SENSE.

Same for UKIP. Your beliefs mean you are not suitable. Tough bollocks.

Yes I know it was a temporary placement but moving kids from pillar to post at the drop of a hat is not good regardless - it will serve to make them feel even more insecure.

my apologies Linerunner

I am debating - I will happily debate - but i will not make my views more right wing to satisfy anyone - I do not see immigration or multiculturalism and a problem.

so I will not agree with you but I defend your right to have a view and express it - you are NOT being silenced and it's a tad melodramatic to say you are

as not and

No worries. Just as long as we are clear that I am a wanky bleeding heart liberal.

All I know about UKIP is that they want out of Europe, so I just googled UKIP commonwealth to see what they think about that and apparently they prefer the Commonwealth.

gordy - why do you say that people who disagree with you 'hate this country' - I'm pretty sure that they don't.

I wonder how much influence the upcoming by election had on this Labour council's decision to attack another party to whom they're losing voters?

A lot perhaps?

I didn't - I said some people seem to since all they do is tell you how awful it is - it isn't - I love it and I love the mixture of people that live here

And to answer your second point you will never silence me.

But just saying that someone who presents an opposing opinion 'hates this country' is very lazy and of course incorrect.

lmao
twice this week I've been referred to as a one trick pony

I'm seeing plenty of THOSE tonight too

Oh GOD linerunner I didn't realise - I get how awful that was for you now

I LOVE Ponies

So does my daughter.

Obsessed.

I think alot of people will be supporting UKIP purely because they seem to be the only party who is addressing the huge issue that affects alot of peoples daily lives and that is mass uncontrolled immigration.

Its the very fact that saying you want to curb it - people call you a rascist and close the debate down is why people are being coralled and being forced to join allegiences with parties they normally wouldnt.

As others have said you can embrace all the immirgants we have here and all the communities we have here and still want more to come whilst saying - not at the same pace and volume please.

My sister in law is polish she has been here for 25 years - she said what the gov has done is utter maddness. Does she critise her own for coming here? No, who can blame anyone for wanting to better themselves? She doesnt like poland anymore - says there are no opportunities - doesnt like thier government - and feels more at home here. But she says - its common knowledge that over there you get about 10 pounds per child you have - you get 80 here - so why stay there?

My sister in law said its utter maddness and un sustainable. Is she racist? Is one of my closest friends also racsit - she is also polish - has been here for 32 years said the volume of people who have come here is far too much....

I think its really sad that true asslum seekers have become easy targets for the officals to send back because they can and then say " look at us - we ARE tough on immigration".

Its not about RACE its about VOLUME!!!!

I would open the doors wider - I don't see immigration as a problem

I find it ironic that those who benefited from it now want other not to have that opportunity

What you going to do when everyone that threatens to emigrate does

Who pays gordy?

glitter we are experiencing a new brain drain actually.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9659949/UK-facing-middle-class-brain-drain-as-professionals-seek-better-lives-abroad.html

I am sure you will say good riddance but I am concerned we are shooting ourselves in the foot here.