Now, I have voted UKIP but at the last election I voted tactically Cons because I knew UKIP didn't have a chance of getting in and I thought it more important to get Labour out. But now it looks like the Cons are unelectable on their own and we've ended up with not much difference. So I'm back to UKIP.

What I would like to know from people on here is whether they think the UKIP defence policies stack up, with particular regard to costs. Extracted from their website:

"Spend an extra 40% on defence annually, another 1% of GDP

· Restore the Royal Navy to its 2001 strength with three new aircraft carriers and nearly 70 other ships, at the same time guaranteeing the future of the Plymouth, Portsmouth and Rosyth bases

· Increase RAF capability by buying more essential helicopters, transport aircraft and 50 extra JSF Lightning aircraft

· Restore historic regiments, such as the Highland regiments, which are being subsumed into planned European battle groups

· Maintain Britain’s independent nuclear deterrent with existing Trident submarines and then replace them with four British-built submarines armed with US missiles"


So that means 3.5% of gdp to cover that list etc. Personally, I'd live with 5% and balance the rest of the budget around that priority. Is anyone able to authoritatively criticise that 3.5% or point me somewhere that can?

Sounds all well and good by financially I don't think the sums add up.

How much British defence procurement runs on time and on budget?

Originally Posted by unicorn77

Now, I have voted UKIP but at the last election I voted tactically Cons because I knew UKIP didn't have a chance of getting in and I thought it more important to get Labour out. But now it looks like the Cons are unelectable on their own and we've ended up with not much difference. So I'm back to UKIP.

What I would like to know from people on here is whether they think the UKIP defence policies stack up, with particular regard to costs. Extracted from their website:

"Spend an extra 40% on defence annually, another 1% of GDP

· Restore the Royal Navy to its 2001 strength with three new aircraft carriers and nearly 70 other ships, at the same time guaranteeing the future of the Plymouth, Portsmouth and Rosyth bases

· Increase RAF capability by buying more essential helicopters, transport aircraft and 50 extra JSF Lightning aircraft

· Restore historic regiments, such as the Highland regiments, which are being subsumed into planned European battle groups

· Maintain Britain’s independent nuclear deterrent with existing Trident submarines and then replace them with four British-built submarines armed with US missiles"


So that means 3.5% of gdp to cover that list etc. Personally, I'd live with 5% and balance the rest of the budget around that priority. Is anyone able to authoritatively criticise that 3.5% or point me somewhere that can?

Hardly the most pressing policy at the current juncture, and considering they have no MP's and are not likely to, somewhat akin to playing Dungeons and Dragons....maybe a policy of giving everyone a thousand quid would be a good move.....?

UKIP can promise pretty pink bows on solid gold F22s because they are totally and utterly unelectable. They are a protest vote against the EU and it's no surprise that their kindred spirits at the BNP also do well in Euro elections.

UKIP = BNP in blazers

Originally Posted by smartarse

UKIP can promise pretty pink bows on solid gold F22s because they are totally and utterly unelectable. They are a protest vote against the EU and it's no surprise that their kindred spirits at the BNP also do well in Euro elections.

UKIP = BNP in blazers

That is not quite a fair representation. I don't think UKIP could fairly be described as 'racist'.

Have fixed this for you....

Originally Posted by unicorn77

What I would like to know from people on here is whether they think the UKIP defence policies stack up, with particular regard to costs. Extracted from their website:

"Spend an extra 40% on defence annually, another 1% of GDP

· Restore the Royal Navy to its 1815 strength with three new Victory class 100 gunners and nearly 70 other ships plundered from the Spanish, at the same time guaranteeing the future of the press gang in Pompey.

· Increase RAF capability by buying more essential helicopters, rather than non-essential ones and giving the Yanks a trouser load of cash buying the JSF, which we don't need.

· Restore historic regiments, such as the Highland regiments, Baron Castleshortt / Ott's Frontiersmen and letting them march about rather than, God forbid exercising with planned European battle groups

· Maintain Britain’s independent nuclear deterrent with lots of American made kit"

No wonder UKIP are considered to be a bunch of cocks.

Originally Posted by Pyianno

That is not quite a fair representation. I don't think UKIP could fairly be described as 'racist'.

“We will never win the nigger vote. The nig-nogs will never vote for us

Nigel Farage

Originally Posted by King_of_the_Burpas

No wonder UKIP are considered to be a bunch of cocks.

On come now, lets be fair. Show me one political party that aren't a bunch of cocks.....

Are UKIP planning a major war? What on earth do they want to spend 3.5% extra on defence for? What is all that kit going to do for us? Don't we have other, more pressing matters to attend to?

I'm all up for strengthening the Armed Forces, but 3 aircraft carriers and a load of non-existent Yank planes is a waste of cash we don't really have to spend at the moment anyway!