Running scared?

To the best of my knowledge - and I am certainly open to correction - the only UK political parties opposed to the intention, in both Westminster and Holyrood, to redefine marriage are the Christian Party, the Christian People's Alliance, and the United Kingdom Independence Party (Ukip).  Of these three, current polls would suggest that it is the latter that might have some influence on the other major parties.

Certainly, this seems to be the case with regard to the immigration problem.  Messrs Cameron, Clegg, and Milliband all seem to be going out of their way to show how tough they are becoming (or have become, if one is totally gullible!) on the subject.  Could it be that they are "running scared"?!

Today, we have been informed, the Prime Minister is about to make a speech in which he will state that immigrants are no longer to be permitted to 'jump the queue' for social housing.  In doing so, he will have taken a bigger step than either of the other two Lib/Lab/Con leaders.  However, he has not, yet, clarified the situation when immigrants who are denied access to council housing (as we used to call it!) move into private rental properties.  Will full housing benefit be immediately made available?  Will this actually cost the increasingly beleaguered tax-payer even more?

It will be of more than passing interest to discover the PM's perspective on this aspect of his pre-released speech!

However, what is also of more than passing interest is the realisation that much of this new-found back-bone with regard to one thorny political problem, has come to the fore "post-Eastleigh"!  In other words, it would appear that the results of that recent by-election, in which the most outstanding feature was the surge of support for Ukip - pushing the Conservatives into third place, and decimating the Liberal Democrat majority - have forced the other three into trying to sound as if they are on the side of the average British voter (which I do not, for one moment, believe they are!).

Now, if support for Ukip can galvanise these gentlemen into action on immigration, perhaps further success for Nigel Farage's party will make them realise that the pushing of same-gender 'marriage' is a net vote loser!  I fully support the two Christian parties - but, sometimes, one must be pragmatic!  As I understand the situation, the Scottish Government, even if it 'wins' the debate at Holyrood, will have its hands tied until Westminster passes/amends other legislation. 

I wish Ukip well in their forthcoming endeavours.