Posted on 11/18/2015 1:43:12 PM PST by SunkenCiv
The row was sparked after a by-election leaflet claimed Labour want uncontrolled immigration and to abolish the army.
UKIP have been accused of trying to stir up racial hatred in Oldham following the Paris terror attacks.
A by-election leaflet distributed by the anti-EU party -- which at first sight looks like a Labour pamphlet -- lists 'uncontrolled, mass immigration', the 'axeing' of the armed forces, the abolition of the monarchy and handing back the Falklands as Labour party policies.
But Labour said Nigel Farage was attempting to 'divide Oldham again' -- a reference to the bitter race riots of 2001.
Ukip have dubbed the claim 'ridiculous'.
The leaflet appears to form part of a strategy by Ukip set out from day one of the Oldham West and Royton by-election campaign, aiming to paint Mr Corbyn as unpatriotic and supporting open borders.
MP Andrew Gwynne and Ukip leader Nigel Farage
But Denton and Reddish MP Andrew Gwynne, who is running Labour's campaign for candidate Jim McMahon , said the leaflet would only heighten fears of racial tension, particularly in the wake of Friday night's attacks.
"Ukip are trying to take Oldham backwards to the days of division," he said.
"There was a multi-faith vigil last night to commemorate the tragic events in Paris and the imam in the central mosque in Oldham spoke quite strongly of the dangers of dividing Oldham again.
"There's a very real risk. It is a very dangerous game Ukip are playing. Rather than giving a positive vision they are seeking to disunite Oldham."
The leaflet has been designed to look initially like Labour material, but is unlikely to trigger a complaint to the Electoral Commission because it does have a small imprint confirming it is a Ukip pamphlet.
(Excerpt) Read more at manchestereveningnews.co.uk ...
[snip] Jobs not Trident; No cuts; Defy Tory rule; Cut war not welfare; Stop fracking; a Living Wage for mothers; and, The Pope gets it, why can't you?[/snip]
[snip] Reasoning to listen with Sadiq Khan MP Scotland Yard is alleged to have eavesdropped on meetings between Sadiq Khan, a Government whip, and a terrorist suspect currently being held in prison. [/snip]
I’d have more sympathy for Labour’s outrage about this leaflet if they DIDNT DO THE DAMN SAME THING THEMSELVES!!!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3361625/posts?page=21#21
How Ukip intends to fight (and maybe win) the Oldham West & Royton by-election
http://blogs.new.spectator.co.uk/2015/10/how-ukip-intends-to-fight-and-maybe-win-the-oldham-west-royton-by-election/
Tim Farron MP writes...Come and help Jane Brophy in Oldham West and Royton
By Tim Farron MP | Tue 17th November 2015 - 7:38 pm
http://www.libdemvoice.org/tim-farron-mp-writescome-and-help-jane-brophy-in-oldham-west-and-royton-48294.html
Always accuse the opposition of what you are planning to do.
Seems like an honest straightforward leaflet with UKIP reminding Labour Party supporters in the area what they’ll get if they keep voting Labour in the by-election in two weeks.
My wild guess is, David Cameron will announce a specific date for the UK's EU referendum, and that date will be roughly a year from now. The result of that move will be to tip help tip Labour out of the seat (see the graphic showing one of UKIP's campaign posters), regardless of whether it winds up UKIP or Conservative. That avoids the head-on collision the Tories would suffer if he announced new restrictions on immigration. [reprised comment]
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