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A UKIP European election billboard is displayed in the Vauxhall area of London Matt Dunham/AP/Press Association Images

UKIP: The Irish are our 'kith and kin'

Irish people living in the UK are not considered immigrants by UKIP.

THE IRISH ARE the “kith and kin” of British citizens and are not considered immigrants, according to the UK Independence Party (UKIP).

A spokesman for the British political party said the “shared history between Ireland and the UK” meant the Irish were not considered foreigners.

He added: “I do not anticipate any suggestion that the Irish would be expected to join the work permit scheme for immigrants – the Irish are simply not immigrants but our kith and kin. 

“I could mention at this point that Parnell is regarded as something of a hero by Mr Farage, and that we have an Irish Press Officer in Brussels as well as many friends in the Republic from the days of the ‘No’ campaign against the Lisbon treaty.”

UKIP has launched a controversial campaign featuring a British construction worker sitting on the pavement with a cup for donations beside the caption ‘EU policy at work’.

Another poster features the Union Jack being burnt from its centre, with the EU flag coming through the gap.

The UKIP spokesman said the party was not anti-immigration but favoured controlled immigration through work permits that would “ensure the correct quality and quantity of workers”.

Under its proposals, Irish immigrants would be exempt from the permits.

Earlier today, the party’s leader Nigel Farage made headlines for an exchange with BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson.

During the interview, the MEP said that he did not believe his wife was taking a British job by being his secretary.

Natasha Browne is an Irish journalist living in London. See more here. 

‘Was your wife taking someone else’s job?’: It got a bit awkward for UKIP’s Nigel Farage today 

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156 Comments
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    Mute Derek Larney
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    Feb 12th 2013, 7:30 PM

    The Carnival is like a photographers dream, the place is absolutely awash with colour. Rio always gets the plaudits but the carnivals in Salvador, Bahia and Florinapolis are just as big and colourful.

    The organisers of our St.Patrick’s Day parades would do well to take a look at it and take inspiration. Watching tacky floats with advertisements for butchers and book shops doesn’t hold a match to how they do a parade in Brazil. I’ve nothing against local businesses, I just want to see a good show.

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    Mute Muriel Gowing
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    Feb 12th 2013, 11:33 PM

    True, but it doesn’t rain in Brazil like it does here. Imagine all that South American finery soaked in cold rain. The colours wouldn’t look so bright on a grey Irish day or a dark misty Irish night. I think we do very well considering our climate.

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    Mute Matthew Fitzpatrick
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    Feb 12th 2013, 6:06 PM

    Dem’s wharri call wimmins

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    Mute Lily Signoret
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    Feb 12th 2013, 6:18 PM

    Looks like an amazing show!

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    Mute Dermot Fennelly
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    Feb 12th 2013, 7:12 PM

    And we raven about st Patrick !!!!

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    Mute JayK
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    Feb 12th 2013, 9:07 PM

    Never more.

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    Mute Green Burqa
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    Feb 12th 2013, 6:05 PM

    Cover up ladies, youll catch you death out there.

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