Live webchat with UKIP leader Nigel Farage, Thurs 24 Feb, 1-2pm

[KatieMumsnet]

Our live webchat guest this week is Nigel Farage. He is the leader of UKIP and has been a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since 1999.

Known for his straight-talking, Nigel has made the headlines with forthright speeches, once telling the EU President he had the charisma of a 'damp rag'.

He is a regular on programmes including BBC Question Time.

If you have a question you'd like to put to Nigel, please join the webchat this Thursday lunchtime, 1pm - 2pm. If you won't be around then, please post your question here.

Hilarious - just called Italian politics 'sexier' when their PM is being charged with underage sex.

Are you saying that fascists are sexy? Or am I mixing you up with with that Formula One bloke?

You really don't like to deal in facts, do you Mr Farage? Just the usual half-truths and misrepresentations of any other politician...

tondelayo- I had tyo reread that a few times - oh the irony!!!

Well, I beg to differ. You were clearly denigrating rape. It's quite sad that you can't see that. And admit it.

Yes, please could you tell us how you propose to go about promoting 'one culture for all' and who decides what that culture will be?

@DamselInDisguise

Can you provide evidence that most of the very numerous scientists whose work supports the anthropogenic carbon emissions argument in the climate change debate are formally affiliated with the IPCC?

I am not suggesting that all scientists that argue in favour of AGW have worked for the IPCC, but it is equally true that there are many scientists who hold opposing, or rather more skeptical views. The point is that over the last decade, they haven't always had a fair hearing.

'Hilarious - just called Italian politics 'sexier' when their PM is being charged with underage sex. '

My thoughts exactly, Tondo.

Goodness me, NF. You really are doijg a sterling job of winning us over

(PS Tondo, but it's ok. They're not racists. Because NF says so...)

How does your shoe leather taste right now?

@cakeywakey

Sorry, should have read: Why do you think that your European election results were not translated into parliamentary seats at the general election?

European elections are contested on proportional representation, and UKIP has gone from nowhere to coming second. Our current first past the post general election system makes it very difficult for parties like us. And it's as simple as that.

@MmeLindt

Why does everyone hold up Switzerland as a model to be followed and admired?

I live in Switzerland and it is bloody expensive.

Would UK citizens be happy to pay £20 for 4 chicken breasts and £1 for a litre of milk, like I do here?

I also pay tax on any imported goods from EU.

Switzerland may be expensive, but it's also the wealthiest country in the European time zone. I'm jealous of Switzerland, even though it may be a little bit boring there.

They have the same terms of trade with all EU countries, without having to pay a membership fee of £50m a day and their people can hold a referendum on any subject they choose. Lucky them!

Is there any chance at all you'll get to my question posted on Wed 23-Feb-11 14:21:01 please?

Given that George W Bush actively sought out climate skeptics in order to justify his policy stance, I don't think it's fair to argue that there's been a conspiracy to silence them.

Why is the Euro such a bad thing? It would bring more tourists to the UK from Europe due to the ease of not having to change money. It would make so many things easier. And it is strong and stable. What are your arguments against it?

LadyBlaBlah yes, re: Alan B'stard - here by Camilla Long in the Times last March (third paragraph down

Absolutely madam - just love those sexist / xenophobic stereotypes as Italians as passionate, gesticulating latin lovers.

So you'd be prepared to ally your party with any undemocratic, odious, subversive party then such as the Northern League in the name of "vive la difference"? (Pardon my french). And the Slovak National Party leader saying Roma gypsies should be dealt with with "a long stick in a small yard"?

Are any UKIP candidates standing in the Scottish Parliament Elections in May?

Farage is a man of course who like a bit of sexy politics - in 2004 he 'found himself' in a lap-dancing bar during the French presidential campaign with one of the candidates. All in good fun, you know.

It's so weird why UKIP doesn't have many female followers. I just don't understand it

@elatedad

Question to Mr Farage: Can you please list your 3 greatest achievements so far in your work as an MEP, and indicate those concrete goals you intend to fulfil in the name of your constituents by the end of your MEP mandate in 2014?

I don't propose one culture for all, but I do think we need to be clear about the kind of country that we want to live in, which must mean equality before the law for everybody, respect for our legal system, and no special exemptions for anybody.

To continue my self-appointed role as Farage Mythbuster ... If anyone is considering believing this falsehood here:

that there are many scientists who hold opposing, or rather more skeptical views. The point is that over the last decade, they haven't always had a fair hearing.

From wikipedia:

"No scientific body of national or international standing has maintained a dissenting opinion; the last was the American Association of Petroleum Geologists"
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_opinion_on_climate_change

Seriously, when the Petrol Digger's Union starts believing in man-made climate change, it's time to reconsider your opinion.

@Psammead

Why is the Euro such a bad thing? It would bring more tourists to the UK from Europe due to the ease of not having to change money. It would make so many things easier. And it is strong and stable. What are your arguments against it?

You sound like Lord Heseltine on Question Time last week. This is an idea that was popular amongst some ten years ago, thank goodness that unlike Ireland, we didn't join the Euro, kept control of our own interest rates, and have had a competitive devaluation in the Pound.

So it's ok to sit with racist parties in the European Parliament because 'In the European Parliament, all groups are strange, different cultural coalitions.'

Notice that my other question still hasn't been answered. Even though I've asked it four times now.

I like how easily some of these users can be persuaded by accusing NF of supporting something emotionally provocative like rape. He wasn't. The same goes for sexism and racism. He's not, it's a childish foot stamping tactic used by foot faces who hate him for no apparent reason other than that they think calling someone a little racist automatically puts them in a higher moral position or makes them clever.

@FannyFifer

Are any UKIP candidates standing in the Scottish Parliament Elections in May?

Yes, we're standing in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and over a thousand council seats in England. We've also got our fingers crossed for a good result in the Barnsley by-elections next Thursday.