UKIP accused of 'hypocrisy' for holding conference at The Sage Gateshead

The Sage music venue in Gateshead is at the centre of a UKIP row as the North gears up for the European elections.

UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage, is set to speak at the landmark centre on the banks of the Tyne when his party gathers there for a mini conference in April.

But Labour opponents gearing up for May’s European elections say the visit is hypocrisy of the highest order - because The Sage was built with European cash.

The internationally-acclaimed venue was built more than a decade ago with a European contribution of £5.6m, and a large amount of the rest coming from Arts Council Lottery funding.

There was also another £2.5m from the EU for “Quays visitor infrastructure”, including land reclamation and site preparation. And there was yet another £2m in Euro cash towards the nearby Millennium Bridge.

With some £10m of EU cash helping provide Mr Farage a warm reception, Labour have said Mr Farage should admit there are some benefits of being in the EU. Labour election candidate Jude Kirton-Darling said: “The Sage embodies the civic vision and international ambitions of the North East. I’m proud Gateshead attracts musicians from around the globe while helping our region’s young, home-grown talent flourish. It would be hypocritical and bizarre for UKIP to attack the UK’s membership of the European Union from a building whose creation was supported by European Union investment.

“UKIP’s candidates may not appreciate what the quayside used to be like in the 1980s and 1990s before its spectacular regeneration with the Sage, Baltic and Millennium Bridge. Whether it’s our acclaimed cultural sector, resilient manufacturing industries or everyday workplace rights, the North East’s relationship with Europe matters more than UKIP seem to realise.”

But last night UKIP rubbished the claims. North East Jonathan Arnott said EU cash was just a return of money the UK handed over.

The would-be MEP said: “Doesn’t she realise that ‘EU cash’ has been paid for, twice over, by the British taxpayer?

“We hand over £55m a day to the EU, and she expects us to be pathetically grateful when they give us a little bit of our own money back. The true hypocrites here are the Labour Party, who try to con the British people into believing that this is somehow a good deal for Britain.”

UKIP’s choice of venues raised concerns earlier this month when opponents complained about the party using the centre for political reason. While some had taken to Twitter to say the party should be banned from the venue, left wing singer songwriter Billy Bragg defended the choice, saying that while he does not agree with UKIP, they have the right to freedom of speech.

http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/news/article/3129/ukip-accused-of-039hypocrisy039-for-holding-conference-at-the-sage-gateshead


They really don't have a clue, do they!   

What a shower of shit!

and this made the news how...  

What's the point of this? The few million given by the EU for this is a tiny drop in the ocean of the billions we give to the EU.

You fail, Pratman.

Tess. wrote:What's the point of this?  The few million given by the EU for this is a tiny drop in the ocean of the billions we give to the EU.  

You fail, Pratman.

It's sheer hypocrisy when they are so much against the EU!  ::-3:: 

So remind me how much the UK pays to the EU a day? What do you think would be done with that money if it was not being paid to the EU?

Catman wrote:

Tess. wrote:What's the point of this?  The few million given by the EU for this is a tiny drop in the ocean of the billions we give to the EU.  

You fail, Pratman.

It's sheer hypocrisy when they are so much against the EU!  ::-3:: 

You see the point is catman that all the amounts you spoke about add up to less money that the UK gives to the EU each and every single day.

Would you call it hypocrisy for the man complaining about the thief who stole their wallet to use the change the thief dropped to buy himself something?

sphinx wrote:

Catman wrote:

It's sheer hypocrisy when they are so much against the EU!  ::-3:: 

You see the point is catman that all the amounts you spoke about add up to less money that the UK gives to the EU each and every single day.

Would you call it hypocrisy for the man complaining about the thief who stole their wallet to use the change the thief dropped to buy himself something?

He should have chosen a venue that didn't have EU cash involved, then he wouldn't be a hypocrite.

Catman wrote:

sphinx wrote:

You see the point is catman that all the amounts you spoke about add up to less money that the UK gives to the EU each and every single day.

Would you call it hypocrisy for the man complaining about the thief who stole their wallet to use the change the thief dropped to buy himself something?

He should have chosen a venue that didn't have EU cash involved, then he wouldn't be a hypocrite.

You obviously do not understand the meaning of hypocrit.

By using this venue he is highlighting that every town could and should have such a venue - if the UK was not throwing so much money at the EU.

Just think Catman - a venue like this could be paid for to be built every single day with plenty of change left over to pay for things like medical care and research.

sphinx wrote:

Catman wrote:

He should have chosen a venue that didn't have EU cash involved, then he wouldn't be a hypocrite.

You obviously do not understand the meaning of hypocrit.

By using this venue he is highlighting that every town could and should have such a venue - if the UK was not throwing so much money at the EU.

Just think Catman - a venue like this could be paid for to be built every single day with plenty of change left over to pay for things like medical care and research.

I do know the meaning, and the cap fits him, however much you try to spin it.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ukip-admits-couldnt-just-walk-3180893 (Read that and weep   )

We will never leave the EU, i still believe that the country will vote to stay in, in the event of a referendum, and the debates start, i'm a firm supporter of the EU!

Hey if you are happy for your country to spend £50 million a day that could be used to provide better health and support services go for it.

I would rather see the money used to help people in this country.

Catman wrote:

Tess. wrote:What's the point of this?  The few million given by the EU for this is a tiny drop in the ocean of the billions we give to the EU.  

You fail, Pratman.

It's sheer hypocrisy when they are so much against the EU!  ::-3:: 

Interesting tell me more about hypocrisy Phil. I know you know a lot about it.

The EU receive billions from us we get a fraction back. The EU haven't signed of their accounts for 19 yes that's nineteen consecutive years and they legislate on company account matters. They legislate about banks but with the biggest budget in Europe ignore accounts probity. Yes you know a lot about hypocrisy Phil you defend everyday.

Same old philis