I FEEL that our present political parties have lost all form of commonsense regarding 'benefit tour­ism'. A government quote that said it is easier to pay out benefits than not because it causes less trouble (crime?)

After 70 years of a well-intended welfare state system it has now become a farce goaded on by the EU.

Both my parents worked – my mother did several jobs to raise us and make ends meet – they did not live off benefits.

She once asked me if she could have some of my pocket money I was saving as we were short of money that week.

How times have changed, now people expect benefits just for 'being'.

Today's system can become a career choice. You must have internet access, smartphones and the rest without working for it.

It is funny how being in the EU did not stop lots of our manufacturing factories move abroad for 'economic' reasons.

We have given up lots of our fishing rights around our coast which has put many fishermen out of work and the list continues.

If Britons don't get out and vote for what they really want and feel then it will be the same old political parties and policies that get in by default.

Just wait until the next election is due and then it will be funny how figures on unemployment, the economy etc will be manipulated or, should I say, massaged to make them look much better – just to try to get your vote.

– UKIP voter, Forest of Dean.