I'll have a go.

Some of the bullet points you make I approve. In some respects, this mid-lefty public sector worker is pretty right wing. Thus, I like reduced debt and smaller government. However, I would go much further than any of the parties in far more private sector involvement in the health sector. It pains to say this but cradle to grave is simply not sustainable with an ageing population. I also would like to see state pensions means tested [and all the other stuff that goes with it like free prescription, bus passes etc.]. While I would set the test quite high, national INSURANCE is just that - it is something to fall back on if you are not provided elsewhere. It cannot be a right.

However, where UKIP fails me is the central parts of their policy. This country is doing better than other places BECAUSE of immigration. They say that the Eurozone is failing and we are thus experiencing a flood of workers escaping unemployment. Good! That is how a free market works. The type who cross continents to work in a country where they don't speak the language but who nevertheless succeed are the lifeblood of a nation - or more likely it is their children who will sustain us. We need young people in an ageing population. What do you propose to do to adjust the balance - some sort of compulsory reproduction? The points system is all very well, but it removes the healthy competition element. Also, will people want to come to this country given...

The other issue I have is that the EC is indeed corrupt and poorly functioning. However, it is a small price to continue to pay into this (dis)organisation to have a seat at the table that discusses Europe-wide economic issues. It is more essential to have the advantageous trade deal that comes of being part of the group. True, there are wealthy nations that are outside the EC in EFTA that MAY have us on board. Or they may not. Also, UKIP talk in terms of exit and negotiating trade deals with our major trading partners on the continent. Given we will be on the poor side in terms of bargaining power, do you honestly think that we can impose terms favourable to us? Yes, by all means try and do deals with our former colonies. Those countries that are 1000s of miles away will be only to keen to fleece us on terms wholly favourable to THEM. There is a simple reason why the business community is terrified of exiting the EC - the instability and loss of trade advantage will trigger a wholesale economic collapse.

From our tough little economy that somehow manages to opt out of much we don't like and has the luxury of looking on smugly as the Eurozone crumbles while we pick up the crumbs, we will be an irrelevant little fringe nation whose words are ignored and whose key workers are lured onto the continent or to the US.

This country is an island; but it is one whose success is founded on trade and close relations with those it buys from and sells to. Immigrants compete with the indigenous population for jobs, homes and services. UKIP appeals to those who are unable or, more likely, unwilling to compete with them. However, from a macro perspective, immigrants generally enrich the nation and severing ties with our major trading body is a turkey voting for Xmas.

Thank you for what comes across as reasoned response. A rarity on these boards at the moment.

In answer to your points:

Paragraph 1 - completely agree. We have to have a debate about the NHS and how we will pay for it. Anything else is sticking your head in the sand;

Paragraph 2 - this is one of the areas where the left lose me in debate. To me there is little need for immigration on the scale it currently is. We have a significant proportion of under 25 unemployment and a significant number of over 55's who want to work. Immigrants are largely filling the jobs those people could do. I don't disagree that immigration has enriched our culture but there comes a time when we have to think about the effects of tourist workers and indigenous workers not being able to compete. Furthermore, most foreign workers are forced to accept s*** pay and conditions and we are, to some extent, creating a modern Victorian workplace. Quite how that sits comfortably with the left, I don't know. The irony is that because the left do t want to appear racist, they are prepared to support the labour conditions the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the Jarrow marchers fought against!

Paragraph 3 - we are the worlds seventh largest economy, he largest financial district on the region by a country mile, a place where several million EU citizens live and an economy that benefits surrounding economies by billions of pounds. Do I think we could agree a good deal? Yes! The Eurozone is in crisis. They would have the same need to find a solution as much as we would never history has dictated that divorces like the Brexit have been handled in an amicable manner;

Paragraph 4 - paranoid bulls***;

Paragraph 5 - the first bunch of accusations are wholly inaccurate and prejudiced. You seem intelligent. Think for yourself not what you are told to think. The second bunch of stuf, who said UKIP wants to 'sever' ties with Europe? No one has said that. UKIP wants us to have destiny and self determination and not be beholden to an undemocratic and unwieldy beast.

Debate is over for me... I voted UKIP by post last week.

Debate is over for me... I voted UKIP by post last week.

I may have missed this (I admit I've completely glazed over since my postal vote went off), but has anyone mentioned PR this campaign?

The big donwn-side the big boys always played was the fact that it would alwasy result in no overall majority (and that seems to be the case under FPTP now, so that doesn't hold water any more). They did that ridiculaous smoke and mirrors job by proposing that single transferable vote rubbish, so they could say we had a vote and rejected PR (which we clearly didn't - I'm all for PR, but there was no way I was signing up to the crap we were offered)

Seems to me that UKIP are currently flirting around 15% of the vote, the Greens 5%, yet between them they'll be lucky to muster 10 seats out of 650. I reckon the time is right to push PR through - then, at least, everyone's vote counts (even if you happen to live in a red / blue stronghold)