Stepping up to the pulpit

This was originally posted on the 3rd April 2015 in the run up to the general election.

Ok, i've ignored this idiot long enough... time to climb to the pulpit and have my say...
Nigel Farage and Ukip trade on fear. Simple, deceptive arguements designed to appeal to those who have the least positive things in their lives.
His example last night of foreign nationals with HIV is both typical and unsuprising. In a 2014 interview, when asked what sort of immigrants he would like to stop, his first reaction was to highlight those with HIV. This is scaremongering and petty. Using the example he himself gave last night, stopping immigrants with HIV gaining treatment on the NHS would save small amounts per year. In an organisation that according to its boss needs as additional £8billion.This is not an economic arguement, this is Farage appealing to peoples fears.
He is wrong and he is dangerous.
Look at our history. We have always been an outward looking nation, trading and interracting with the world and proud of our reputation on refugees. By building on the best of this we can influence organisations such as the EU and gain an outcome that is best for us.
However, now we are in a position where David Cameron is so scared of being seen to say anything positive about Europe because of Farage's scare tactics that we have lost all influence. Europe used to be about the big 3. It is now down to a big 1 and a half at best as we lose interest and clout.
That is not serving our national interest.
Look at the war in Ukraine, as a traditional big power in Europe, the UK should have been at the heart of trying to find a solution. Instead we were nowhere.
People think that doesn't matter because Ukraine is nothing to do with us.
Wrong.
When we want to renegotiate the terms of our membership of the EU what do you think will happen? No one will listen to us. We weren't there when they had problems on their doorstep so why should they help us with our internal sqaubbles.
Farage and his isolationist rubbish is bad for Britain. Trade with the commonwealth is a fraction of that with Europe. That is not the answer.
Yesterday 147 people were murdered in Kenya by Islamic terrorists and none of our politicians felt it worth mentioning in the debates last night, but it does matter. In a world full of multiple threats and uncertain futures it is vital to remain outward looking and fully engaged with our allies and partners.
Succeeding alone is not an option.
Farage is peddling an idiots utopia. Don't fall for it.