Re: European poll.
 

You're wrong again. It was Graham that referenced that particular house. The houses I was talking about were one which Graham has talked about openly on this public forum and has been the subject of many discussion because of the councils slowness to change his official residence. Neither have relevance in this thread however.

If becoming an MP was my stated intention, then it no longer is.

Re: European poll.
 

It's just been announced that Nigel Farage the leader of UKIP will stand against John Bercow the current speaker of the House at the next general election in order to try and become an MP. It's very interesting for a number of reasons:

• The speakers constituency is not normally contested by the opposition.
• The speaker was formerly a Conservative MP with a large majority
• Many Conservative voters are rather Eurosceptic
• Many people who voted for other parties are more Eurosceptic
• Without an official party to vote for (the speaker is on the ballot paper as "The Speaker Seeking Re-election") people may choose Mr Farage.
• The expenses row could play an element too

Re: European poll.
 

Traffickers defrauding millions in benefits

Babies and young children are being trafficked into Britain by foreign criminals and used to make fraudulent benefits claims.
In a multi-million-pound racket children are taken from families, with the knowledge of their parents, then placed with unrelated adults to enable fake benefit claims to be paid into accounts controlled by the trafficker. Some are trained in street crime. Forged immigration documents and employment records are reported to be used.
The Met's Operation Golf has identified 119 potential child victims in the capital. It has investigated a Romanian network believed to control a human trafficking ring. A police swoop this month on 20 addresses in Westminster, Enfield, Haringey and Redbridge found evidence of benefit crime in excess of £100,000. Four suspected child victims from Romania were rescued. The claims for housing benefit, tax credits and child benefit supplement profits from other crimes such as ATM fraud, pickpocketing and shoplifting. The traffickers are believed to use the cash to buy houses and cars in their home towns.
MP Anthony Steen, chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on trafficking of women and children, said: “This is an appalling scandal. The current checks are totally inadequate.”
A Revenue and Customs spokesman said: ''Under a long-standing agreement individuals registered to work in one EU country are able to claim for dependent children. HMRC takes fraud extremely seriously and has a range of checks in place. If fraud is suspected payment is stopped.”

Traffickers defrauding millions in benefits | News

I wonder if this sitauation is reciprocal, and Brits can go and work in Romania, and take advantage of their extensive benefits system, and claim for any children left behind in the U.K.?

As stated elsewhere I don't blame the people from other countries who take advantage of this ludicrous state of affairs. I blame our government for allowing it to happen. Especially at a time when it's been recently reported that we are curently paying out more money in social benefits, than we nationally raise in tax.

I'm sure if I was an impoverished eastern European, I'd be taking advantage of this system, and I too would be using British taxpayer's money to build a mansion back in my home village, as illustrated in this article in The Times.

Tandarei: The faraway town fat on UK benefit fraud - Times Online

Re: European poll.
 

I wonder why the government of Canada is considering extending visa requirements for foreigners visiting this country ... Mmm, need to think about this one.:rolleyes:

Re: European poll.
 

There's no 'ifs' about it.

Whilst in my house last year my mother asked you what you wanted to do after you've graduated, and you replied that you wanted to become a M.P.

If that is no longer the case, all I can say is...phew!

Re: European poll.
 

I think my reply would have been 'eventually' I wanted to become an MP. Nether the less this is no longer my intention. :)

Re: European poll.
 

I was there.

You didn't say eventually.

I hope you never witness a crime.

You wouldn't be a very reliable, er...witness.

Re: European poll.
 

Hence why I said 'I think' I didn't quote. Perhaps I thought you were wise enough to understand that I didn't mean immediately after graduation. Shame.. ;)

Re: European poll.
 

Yes it is a shame.

Your answer, I want to be a M.P., when asked what you wanted to do after graduation, was taken at face value.

;)

Re: European poll.
 

That was correct - after graduation. If you became an M.P., you'd be coming it after graduation right? :D

Re: European poll.
 

Is this politician speak for nevertheless?:rolleyes:

Re: European poll.
 

Nevermind the non-existance of 'if' and 'eventually', you made us titter.

Re: European poll.
 

Was your change of decision prompted by the expenses scandal? Which means the public is now demanding a certain lack of sleaze, plus a certain likeabilty factor, when it comes to their M.P.s.

It's very disappointing when you miss the boat, isn't it?

:D

Re: European poll.
 

Yes, it was when I found out I couldn't get oranges at taxpayers expense. Now that's the case being a Tory MP wouldn't be quite exciting. ;)

Re: European poll.
 

Self-deprecating humour?

You'll find be experiencing a slight rise in the polls next.