Close X
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ADVT 
National

Indian-Origin Politician Harjinder Singh Starts Own Political Party In UK After Fall Out With UKIP

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Dec, 2015 03:21 PM
    An Indian-origin corporate banking worker has set up his own political party and called for Britain to throw open its borders, a media report said.
     
    Harjinder Singh, a former UK Independence Party (UKIP) candidate for Birmingham's Perry Barr constituency, has set up the Open Borders Party as he disagrees vehemently with his former Eurosceptic party's immigration policy, the Birmingham Mail reported on Saturday.
     
    "I wanted to leave the EU, but I'm a libertarian and I believe in independence and freedom," Singh was quoted as saying.
     
    He added that he wants an open border, as long as new arrivals do not have a criminal record or contagious disease, pay an entry fee, are denied state benefits and pay higher tax rates for several years.
     
    According to him, the policy would bring huge economic benefits, boosting the economy with new labour and saving the taxpayer a fortune spent trying to keep migrants out.
     
    He said UKIP did not entirely share his views. "I was a little bit naive with regard to some of their other policies, as they've bolted some on, and those don't represent me."
     
    "That for me is where I draw the line, but with regard to the main core party view, which is to leave the EU, UKIP were the only party saying that, which is why I joined."
     
    Singh plans to contest next elections and hopes to attract some like-minded people to join his party and support him.
     
    The 38-year-old made headlines during the British general elections campaign by waving at thousands of cars a day passing through the busy Scott Arms junction in Great Barr.
     
    He finished third behind Labour Party MP Khalid Mahmood and Conservative candidate Charlotte Hodivala. 
     
    His unusual campaigning style secured 5,032 votes, which was an improvement on UKIP's previous performance in the Perry Barr constituency.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Jean Charest Says He's Not Interested In Seeking Conservative Leadership

    Jean Charest Says He's Not Interested In Seeking Conservative Leadership
    SHERBROOKE, , Que. — Former Progressive Conservative leader Jean Charest is ruling himself out of the race to succeed Stephen Harper as head of the Tories.

    Jean Charest Says He's Not Interested In Seeking Conservative Leadership

    Ex Pipeline Exec: Keystone Xl Can Still Be Salvaged If Canada Acts On Climate

    A retired executive with pipeline builder TransCanada Corp. believes the long-stalled Keystone XL project can still be salvaged —  if incoming Liberal prime minister Justin Trudeau acts swiftly on climate change.

    Ex Pipeline Exec: Keystone Xl Can Still Be Salvaged If Canada Acts On Climate

    Here We Stand, Here We Stay: Governor General On Oct. 22 Shooting Anniversary

    Here We Stand, Here We Stay: Governor General On Oct. 22 Shooting Anniversary
    Johnston joined Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau, Harper's designated successor, among those who were on hand to commemorate the tragedy under grey autumn skies.

    Here We Stand, Here We Stay: Governor General On Oct. 22 Shooting Anniversary

    Man Who Comforted Cpl. Nathan Cirillo In Last Moments Haunted By Parliament Hill Tragedy

    Man Who Comforted Cpl. Nathan Cirillo In Last Moments Haunted By Parliament Hill Tragedy
    The violence Michael Zehaf Bibeau visited upon an unsuspecting Ottawa one year ago not only killed Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, but irrevocably altered the way Martin Magnan looks at his own life and the people around him.

    Man Who Comforted Cpl. Nathan Cirillo In Last Moments Haunted By Parliament Hill Tragedy

    Gunned-Down Soldier Cpl. Nathan Cirillo Remembered 1 Year On At Hilltop Ceremony

    Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, 24, was shot fatally from behind by a lone gunman, who then raced into the House of Commons before he, too, was gunned down.

    Gunned-Down Soldier Cpl. Nathan Cirillo Remembered 1 Year On At Hilltop Ceremony

    NDP Leader Tom Mulcair Plans To Stay With Party 'for The Long Haul'.

    OTTAWA — Tom Mulcair plans to stick with the New Democrats for the long-term, but his fate is ultimately at the mercy of party supporters and a leadership review in Edmonton in the spring.

    NDP Leader Tom Mulcair Plans To Stay With Party 'for The Long Haul'.