In The Press

May 22nd 2013 - Lincolnshire Echo Column No. 13

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:47:00 +0100

Lincolnshire Echo Column No. 13

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

Lincolnshire Echo Column No 13 May 2013

Recent editions of the "Echo" recall the exploits of the Bomber Command crews who flew out of RAF Scampton on that evening 70 years ago to strike at the heart of the Nazi war machine. Bravery is hardly the word to describe these dedicated men.

Not only did the "Dambusters" succeed in crippling the enemy's capacity for steel production there was an unforeseen side effect. To repair the damage some 20,000 workers, and a great deal of material, was taken away from construction of the Channel defences against our impending invasion. The landings in June 1944 thus proceeded more swiftly and with fewer casualties.

As a result we gained the greatest prize of all; Europe was set free.

Moreover, victory in 1945 set in train the progress to democracy. It is that, I believe, which has prevented further wars in Europe, not the EU. No democracy has ever gone to war against another. Defeating a dreadful regime was the work of the democracies who would not be denied, their peoples united against demagogues and dictators. As this dawned upon the peoples of Europe another feature of democracies emerged.

Having crushed these rotten regimes the democracies then leant a helping hand. Under the "Marshal Plan" millions of dollars and pounds were spent by the victors on repairing the shattered infrastructure of Europe. Roads, railways and services were restored, homes rebuilt and, slowly, life got back to as near normal as possible. Seeing this the countries of Europe turned to democracy long before the Treaty of Rome in 1957.

Contrast that with the end of the First World War when, at Versailles, European politicians inflicted upon Germany probably the most vindictive treaty in history. German armed forces reduced to a shadow, pieces of their country taken away to create new countries. Worst of all, the demand for "Reparations", vast sums of money to pay for the war damage, paving the way for WWII.

Germany struggled to find the reparations; they were bankrupt. They were bailed out by US Banks and financial organisations with loans and credit facilities but the Wall Street crash of 1929 sent western countries into deep depression. The US Banks called in these loans which plunged Germany into a much deeper recession than the rest, their young democracy unable to cope, causing inflation on an unimaginable scale. Food prices always rising, people were paid in instalments 3 or 4 times a day, so they could rush out and buy before the price increased again.

Into this maelstrom of unemployment, deprivation, poverty and social unrest there strode a demagogue, Hitler,- and you all know the rest of the story.

I fear that the message is lost on the current movers and shakers of the EU. As with Versailles all those years ago we are in the hands of a gang of corrupt and inept European politicians. We have the lies too, Edward Heath telling us in 1973 that it was just about trade and nothing else, when he knew full well that it was all about creating a single European State.

In the name of "Unification" they invented a common currency, the Euro, which has become a disaster. But the measure of the present Euro politicians is their response and we have seen their answer, the denial of democracy.

As the economy of Greece unravelled under the Euro the elected Prime Minister, Papadopoulos, was thrown out by EU leaders and replaced by an unelected EU puppet, Papademos. No one in Greece had voted for him.

Then the same happened in Italy; Berlusconi ejected by the EU "Troika" for daring to suggest a general election. His replacement was Mario Monte, a former Commissioner, never elected by the people anywhere.

If you think this is just high politics and not a sign of anything sinister think again. Principled opposition is one of the essential features of Parliamentary Democracy, but is not understood in the Euro Parliament. There, not long ago, I listened to a speaker from the other side of the House asking why we,- looking at UKIP-, had to object to everything and speak against proposals. Our concept of an MP, currently Ed Milliband, holding the position of, "The Leader of her Majesty's loyal opposition", is beyond that speaker and many other MEPs.

If you do not agree with my assessment just look round the world and note which countries are prosperous with a decent standard of living for their people, as well as being at peace with all others. Then note which are democracies and which are not.

Derek Clark MEP UKIP East Midlands May 19^th 2013

May 20th 2013 - Is the EU right to ban pesticides amid fears they may harm bees?

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:47:00 +0100

Is the EU right to ban pesticides amid fears they may harm bees?

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

Lincolnshire Echo - Is the EU right to ban pesticides amid fears they may harm bees?

Lincolnshire UKIP MEP Derek Clark said: "On May 8, the European Commission took the decision to restrict the use of certain insecticides of the neonicotinoid group.

"They did so without debate or vote in the European Parliament and without reference to the UK government.

"They did this in response to the decline in bee populations and to the lobby that this was due to the use of these particular pesticides.

But research from around the world seems to indicate that these particular pesticides do not have a damaging effect on the bee population.

"Several areas of the world where these pesticides have been in use show no decline in the bee population. It is obvious insufficient research has been conducted.

"What is certain is that without the use of pesticides we would get lower food crops in a hungry world wherein the population is increasing every day. So if these particular pesticides were not in use there would have to be alternative products which might be even more hazardous. Another alternative is to invest in GM crops to a much greater extent but this too is unacceptable to many people.

"This country has highly regarded institutions which have conducted objective research in many areas and come to valid conclusions. At the moment there is a subjective movement now in progress where its reliance upon proper scientific evidence is doubtful."

May 20th 2013 - I was not in the Derby theatre Production of 'Cooking with Elvis'

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:47:00 +0100

I was not in the Derby theatre Production of 'Cooking with Elvis'

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

On Thursday 16^th May 2013 the paper carried a letter which ends with the statement that, 'somewhere along the way Paul lost the plot!' I'll say he did, the letter bears my name but it's nothing to do with me.

In fact, I was not in the Derby theatre Production of 'Cooking with Elvis'. Nor did I impersonate Elvis, the audience wouldn't have stood for that!

But as regards cooking, refer to the town of 'Bakewell' and its famous puddings. It seems that the Custard Pie fight on Sunday 9^th June 2013 has been cancelled, on, believe it or not, 'Health and Safety grounds'.

If I roll back the years I seem to remember many a Custard Pie being hurled at all and sundry in every Pantomime. Dreadful! Think of the injuries that might have caused even, perish the thought, at the Derby Theatre.

Actually the now banned proposed Custard Pie fight was to have been the traditional Pantomine foam on a paper plate. Now, that town's famous pies would have been much more dangerous with their crusty pastry!

Yours sincerely

Derek Clark MEP and frustrated Elvis impersonator.

May 17th 2013 - Referendum

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:47:00 +0100

Referendum

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

To The Editor,

Dear Sir,

I note with interest your online poll, asking whether there should be an EU referendum BEFORE 2017. Nearly three quarters of those who voted in your poll said 'YES' - yet our Prime Minister is unlikely to take note, or listen to what the people of this country want.

His cast iron guarantees mean nothing - only UKIP will listen to what people want and divorce us from this unfair marriage with our EU overlords.

We want a referendum before the next General Election in 2015. That gives the Prime Minister two years to re-negotiate our terms.

That would mean he needs success in the negotiations in order to win a clear Tory majority; is that his concern?

Yours,

Derek Clark, UKIP MEP for Leicestershire

May 15th 2013 - Margot Parker interviewed for Drive time on BBC radio Northampton

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:47:00 +0100

Margot Parker interviewd on Drive Time

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

Wednesday 15th May, BBC radio Northampton interviewed Margot Parker, UKIP for a drive time interview on the Dan Chisholm show.

The question was the EU vote in the House of Commons that night. The link starts 1:08 48

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0182rs1#programme-broadcasts

May 13th 2013 - Behind the headlines

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:47:00 +0100

Behind the headlines

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

Please find below a letter from Northamptonshire UKIP MEP Derek Clark on your recent online article:

http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/behind-the-headlines-four-more-years-of-what-1-5055176

The Editor,

Dear Sir,

A comment or two from a UKIP perspective on your article, 'Behind the Headlines', about the recent county council elections.

It was indeed a very poor turnout of electors with barely 31 per cent going to the polls. But then, as your article remarks, the amount of campaign literature circulated via letter boxes was indeed minimal. I did not receive anything except that from my own UKIP candidate. It would be interesting to see the polling figures in divisions where information was circulated compared to where there was none.

My own after poll comments were as quoted but I was not really playing down our results. It is simply that I wanted more, I always do! In fact we now have three county councillors - that's real progress, especially as there were 16 fewer seats than last time.

'First past the post' elections are always difficult for a party like UKIP, so to break the ice is a big step forward and my "wanting more" will not be long delayed.

Your piece said second place was nowhere. Perhaps, but examine the results. In many places where we came second we were only a hundred or so votes behind the winner. I was much encouraged by many of our second placed candidates saying that now we had something to build on.

Indeed, we now have a base locally and we intend to press on with increased determination.

Yours sincerely,

Derek Clark UKIP MEP for Northamptonshire

May 10th 2013 - Election

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:47:00 +0100

Election

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

To The Editor,

Dear Sir,

May I use you pages to say thankyou to all those people in the East Midlands for taking the time to vote in the recent County Council Election and putting your trust in your UKIP Candidates.

May I also say a big 'Thank You', as UKIP MEP for the County, to all those Candidates, who campaigned on real, local issues, which affect people in their everyday lives.

UKIP candidates pledged to work for YOU, free from the party dogma and weary old ways of the other parties.

Across the country, we did magnificently well - gaining councillors at an unprecendented rate and winning seats in authorities up and down the land - we are now a real force in British politics, as voters reject the lies and broken promises of the discredited 'LibLabCon' pact.

This was a real breakthrough moment for UKIP and more importantly, this wonderful country we live in.

Yours,

Derek Clark, UKIP MEP for the East Midlands.

May 5th 2013 - UKIP's Ransome family celebrate Boston victories - BBC Breakfast

Sun, 05 May 2013 13:47:00 +0100

UKIP's Ransome family celebrate Boston victories - BBC Breakfast

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

UKIP's Ransome family celebrate Boston victories - BBC Breakfast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxaPZYpWT8k&feature=youtu.be

May 5th 2013 - Lincolnshire UKIP MEP Derek Clark hailed the result in the county

Sun, 05 May 2013 13:47:00 +0100

Lincolnshire UKIP MEP Derek Clark hailed the result in the county

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

Lincolnshire UKIP MEP Derek Clark hailed the result in the county.

He said: "These are magnificent results for UKIP in Lincolnshire with the party taking no less than 16 seats in the City of Lincoln.

"We look forward to their work on the county council and to their injection of common sense.

"In Boston UKIP took five of the seven seats with the Ransome family in three of them! It might have been six seats but Don Ransome had to take second place in Boston South where the Tories intervened and split the vote.

"Their 310 votes in a two horse race prevented Don's 786 from overtaking the Independent candidate's 889 votes. Of course we congratulate the winning candidate and look forward to his Independent contribution to local affairs."

May 3rd 2013 - Northants

Fri, 03 May 2013 13:47:00 +0100

Northants

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

Northamptonshire UKIP MEP Derek Clark said: "We're really pleased to see three UKIP councillors elected. "It's been a magnificent day for party in elections across the country and it's pleasing to see three new councillors for this county who will work hard and won't be tied down with party dogma. "It actually could have been a lot more because we were second - and a close second - in many other divisions across Northamptonshire."

May 3rd 2013 - Corby Results - Interview with BBC

Fri, 03 May 2013 13:47:00 +0100

Corby Results - Interview with BBC

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

From UKIP Northamptonshire representative on the EMCC.

Dear Northamptonshire UKIP Branch Chairman,

What a great result the County produced! 3 new County Councillors with
most of our candidates gaining Second places. Terrific Results which
reflected the hard work put in by yourselves and your members.
Please pass on to your members my personal thanks for their dedication to
UKIP in Northamptonshire which added tremendously to our party's great
showing in the National results.

I gave an interview at the Count on Friday to BBC Radio Northamptonshire
for
Drive Time and you can play the interview by following the link below.
Push the slider to One hour seven mins 1.07 to hear it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0182l68

Yours sincerely

Margot

May 1st 2013 - Margot Parker taking part in Local election special - Radio 5 Live

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:47:00 +0100

Local election special - Radio 5 Live

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

Local Election Special

Availability:

7 days left to listen

Duration:

3 hours

First broadcast:

Wednesday 01 May 2013

On the last day of campaigning in the local council elections, Stuart chairs a round-table debate on the key issues with the Leaders of the main parties - Jim Harker for the Conservatives, John McGhee for Labour, and Brendan Glynane for the Liberal Democrats - together with UKIP representative Margot Parker.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0177q32

May 1st 2013 - RE: TORIES AND UKIP CLASH OVER ROADSIDE ADVERTS - 30TH APRIL 2013

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:47:00 +0100

TORIES AND UKIP CLASH OVER ROADSIDE ADVERTS - 30^TH APRIL 2013

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

The Editor

Dear Sir

RE: TORIES AND UKIP CLASH OVER ROADSIDE ADVERTS - 30^TH APRIL 2013

It is interesting to note that while David Cameron has appeared to step back from engaging UKIP in a war of words, his own party activists in Towcester have been doing more than that by committing theft.

Over the weekend UKIP Activists put up a number of Corex Boards close to the highway in Towcester and Roade. Within hours 10 of those boards had disappeared, as reported earlier.

It is now known that these were taken down by Tory Party Members claiming that they had been put up in unauthorised locations. Those boards have disappeared and it is therefore a matter of theft by the Conservatives.

In actual fact, the Highways Act of 1980 (Section 149) makes it a grey area. The County Council can issue a desist notice but it is only a Magistrate who could order a removal of these advertisement boards. It is all a question of ancient rights including that of Free Speech.

It is interesting to note that the Conservative Party, who have been known to trumpet the cause of law and order, should now take the law into their own hands and show disrespect for the law by not going through the right channels.

Voters can make their own mind up.

Yours sincerely

Derek Clark MEP

April 30th 2013 - Mystery mounts over UKIP's missing election boards

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:47:00 +0100

Mystery mounts over UKIP's missing election boards

"...someone is clearly worried enough about UKIP to steal

our election boards, says Northamptonshire MEP Derek Clark.."

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

April, 30th 2013

Ref 172

The election campaign in the county has taken a nasty twist as boards for UKIP were stolen in a bizarre theft.

Party official, Barry Mahoney, UKIP Candidate for Towcester and Roade, brought this theft to our attention. He remarked that somebody was clearly worried about UKIP's rise through the polls - worried enough to steal its election boards in this area. "It is unpleasant", he said, "when this behaviour enters elections".

Derek Clark, Northamptonshire MEP for UKIP, said: "It's quite bizarre and shows we are obviously worrying someone enough for them to steal our boards!

"There were no remains around the sites of removal. This would indicate they were deliberately removed and not blown down by the wind or subject to casual vandalism by a passerby."

It has been revealed 11 boards with the message 'VOTE UKIP' were snatched - they are 16ins by two feet, about the size of an estate agent's board.

They are made of Correx board - plastic covered corrugated thin card - and have UKIP's distinctive colours of purple and white.

Four boards were stolen from the A508 through Roade, between 10am and 2pm on Sunday, (April 28), and the further seven were taken in Towcester between 5pm on Sunday and 8am on Monday, (April 29).

Three were on the A5 south Towcester near Towcester Racecourse, two signs were on the A5 north Towcester near Aldi and two were on Brackley Road south of A43 roudabout.

About Us:

UKIP exists because none of the old traditional political parties are prepared to accept that the real government of Britain is now being transferred to Brussels.

Our purpose is to restore the authority for governing Britain to our elected parliament in Westminster. We believe that decisions made on behalf of people are made closest to the people, be they local, national or international decisions, which informs our wide-ranging manifesto covering issues right across the political spectrum.

April 30th 2013 - Derek Clark MEP and UKIP in Chesterfield on Newsnight tonight at 22.30

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:47:00 +0100

Derek Clark MEP and UKIP in Chesterfield on Newsnight tonight at 22.30

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

April, 30th 2013

Derek Clark MEP and UKIP in Chesterfield on Newsnight tonight.

BBC 2 TV
2230hrs Tuesday 30th April
Derek Clark MEP and Chesterfield UKIP

April 23rd 2013 - School Holidays

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:47:00 +0100

School Holidays

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

April, 23rd 2013

The Editor,

Dear Sir,

So Michael Gove wants to cut school holidays because they date from a day long gone.

I wonder what earlier event led to the greater length of MP's holidays? After all, Westminster shuts down for a longer summer recess than schools, plus similar breaks at Christmas and Easter.

So when Michael Gove puts the Westminster house in order is, I think, the time when we might look at school holidays.

He has also called into question the length of the school day, far too short, apparently. Well, apart from the ability of pupils to concentrate for the increased period of time there is another problem.

Please Mr Gove, when do I do my marking? I've retired now but I remember the hours spent at home ploughing through exercise books into the small hours. Have you any idea at all how long it takes to mark 40 plus physics books every week, and the other eight classes every week, like most secondary teachers? That's after all the clearing up of the lab and preparing for the next day.

Do please give me an answer, if you can it might ease the burden of current teachers.

Yours sincerely,

Derek Clark UKIP MEP for the East Midlands (and former teacher).

April 22nd 2013 - Lincolnshire Echo Column April 2013

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:47:00 +0100

Lincolnshire Echo Column April 2013

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

April, 22nd 2013

Lincolnshire Echo Column April 2013

In previous columns I have talked of the Boston fishermen, windfarms, Lincolnshire sausages, jam making and immigration. All of these, and other issues, cause problems for Lincolnshire people. In highlighting them I am well aware that I am limited in what I can do since my remit, as with all MEPs, is with the EU and the European Parliament. There I must tell you that UKIP, the voice of commonsense, is almost always out-voted by considerable margins.

In a previous issue I attempted to outline how that happens. The MEPs of other countries do not come from a background of centuries of developing democracy. It is the UK which started that process off, so that our systems have been admired and copied around the world, but not in Europe.

While many of those issues originate in the EU, with whose directives and regulations we are forced to comply, the burden of putting it right rests with our Government at Westminster and with local councils. On May 2^nd your votes in the County Council elections can be a start.

In reading the Echo every week I am often reminded of the immense contribution Lincolnshire made in defence of democratic freedom. In the April 11^th edition RAF Coningsby was featured. I was fascinated to read of its history, dating from 1912 with one of the first Royal Flying Corps squadrons. Since then it has been home to a variety of RAF Squadrons flying a range of aircraft types, not standing still as newer aircraft have developed. I was intrigued, and visited with a little nostalgia, when the article mentioned that Beaufighters flew from Wellingore. That's the Bristol Beaufighter which carried the most powerful armament of any WWII fighter. You see, I am a Bristolian who identifies with the aircraft produced by the Bristol Airplane Company. Indeed, my own brother was an engineer at the BAC, albeit post-war.

The greatest problem facing Lincolnshire is that of migration from Eastern Europe. Individuals and small numbers are to be welcomed, of course, but not the massive numbers we expect, especially in a county which has such a high proportion of migrants already. On Jan 1^st next year, all restrictions on the movement of people from Bulgaria and Romania will cease. It is instructive to read that Government ministers when questioned about the numbers likely to come here say they cannot predict that.

You may like to know that, in April last year, the Commission circulated a document in the Employment Committee, where I serve. This declared that, after Jan 1^st 2014, workers from Bulgaria and Romania must be given first choice for a job over any one from outside the EU. That means that people coming here from our Commonwealth will be pushed aside in that respect. This was given with no chance of debate, nor yet to take a vote on, it was an instruction from on high.

Since the Border Agency has just been disbanded, with no indication as to its replacement, the question has to be asked, "how will we control migration and immigration?" All other civilised countries have such controls, indeed, much stronger than ours. Why should we not control who comes into the UK, the most crowded country of Western Europe?

It is said that we need people to work the market gardens of Lincolnshire with permits issued for 21,250 people each year, limited to a six month stay. Operators of the scheme will have a fixed number of work cards but I have yet to read of the measures to be taken to see that the workers return home after six months.

I read that this is SAWS, the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme, but it is not. Or, rather, it is not the SAWS of earlier years. This operated efficiently, for the most part, and did not lead to people extending their stay without permission. It was for university and college students in Eastern European countries recruited by authorised and trained Government officers. These students were taken only from those coming up to their final year in university/college so they had to return home, often with £2,000 or more in their pockets to help in their final year, to complete their studies and to gain their qualifications. They augmented workers from cities like Nottingham and Leicester who came for the season, much as EastEnders used to flock to the hop fields of Kent.

Following the entry of 10 countries to the EU in 2004 the Government decided these students from Eastern Europe were surplus to requirement as so many people from those countries could come here for that work. In vain did the organisers of SAWS try to keep it going with students from further afield, Georgia, Russia and even Brazil. But that was to no avail, the Government was adamant migrant workers from the new countries would do the work in spite of there being no firm system to ensure return home after the season.

The EU is supposed to be all about keeping the peace in Europe and fostering good relations among the countries of Europe. I can think of no better way to promote peace and harmony than to bring together, from across Europe, the brightest young people of their generation, -the future leaders of their countries, to live, work, eat and socialise for weeks together.

Derek Clark UKIP MEP for Lincolnshire

April 15th 2013 - East Midlands UKIP MEPs in rallying call to voters

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:47:00 +0100

East Midlands UKIP MEPs in rallying call to voters

'...Derek Clark and Roger Helmer out on the campaign trail...'

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

April, 8th 2013

A RALLYING cry has gone to voters across the East Midlands to vote for change in the forthcoming county council elections.

Seats are up for grabs in Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, and UKIP East Midlands MEPs Derek Clark and Roger Helmer have been "hugely encouraged" by the response they are getting on the streets.

UKIP is contesting 1,734 out of 2,364 seats nationwide, with 246 of them in the East Midlands alone. The national figure shows UKIP is putting up three times as many candidates as in 2009!

Mr Helmer said: "I've been out canvassing and campaigning with UKIP candidates across the region, and I'm hugely encouraged.

"It's very clear voters are disillusioned with the old parties, and are very receptive to UKIP's policies.

"You know a campaign is going well when passing drivers stop on the street to express their support."

And Mr Clark, who joined UKIP leader Nigel Farage on his Commonsense Tour last week, echoed that view.

He said: "Voters are clearly fed up with the tired old dogma and same weary policies - while I'm out chatting to people, it's evident they want change and they want fresh, new ideas and policies."

About Us:

UKIP exists because none of the old traditional political parties are prepared to accept that the real government of Britain is now being transferred to Brussels.

April 15th 2013 - Patrick O'Flynn's April 13th article on Nigel Farage's tour of Britain

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:47:00 +0100

Patrick O'Flynn's April 13th article on Nigel Farage's tour of Britain

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

April, 15th 2013

The Editor,

Dear Sir,

Patrick O'Flynn's April 13th article on Nigel Farage's tour of Britain mentioned an intervention by a 'Conservative Councillor' as Nigel spoke in Geddington, Northamptonshire. The councillor in question was Jim Harker, the Leader of the County Council.

I chatted briefly to Jim Harker before the event started, having parked close to where he was standing. He asked me why UKIP was standing in local elections when 'Europe' had nothing to do with local government.

UKIP Councillors, I replied, would stop the council spending £200,000 per year on an office in Brussels. Jim replied that it was £140,000, but it would attract hundreds of thousands of pounds of EU money to promote businesses in the county.

Evidently, that is not a connection between the county council and the EU!

I'm not surprised that Jim was confused because there is no such thing as EU money. We send £51m to the EU every day, of which about three quarters comes back to us, but only for Brussels approved schemes like this. So it is only our own money coming back to us, with the deep involvement of the county council!

Yours sincerely,

Derek Clark UKIP MEP for the East Midlands

April 8th 2013 - Baroness Lady Thatcher

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:47:00 +0100

Baroness Lady Thatcher

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UK Independence Party

From the Office of Derek Clark, MEP, East Midlands

Rowan House, 23 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AT

Tel: 01604 620064 Fax: 01604 636002

Email: mep@derekclarkmep.org.uk

Web: www.derekclarkmep.org.uk

April, 8th 2013

UKIP MEP for the East Midlands Derek Clark said: "I think we are all the poorer for the loss of Lady Thatcher. I think everyone, regardless of which side they are on the political divide will agree that she was a great patriot.

"She believed passionately in Britain and in the British people. Even her political opponents would admire her outstanding qualities of leadership and determination, it will be difficult to fill the gap she leaves. Ours thoughts and prayers are with her family."

Margot Parker, who stood for UKIP in the Corby and East Northamptonshire by election last year, said:-

"I was saddened to hear this morning of the death of Lady Thatcher.

"She was a legend at her old school Kesteven & Grantham Girls School, of which I was a former pupil.

"Lady Thatcher was a remarkable leader and deeply proud of her country. Although I could not always agree with all of her policies, on Europe she, UKIP and I are in accord. I am saddened by the erosion of her principles by subsequent governments."

Derek Clark MEP