DOES anyone else share my fears at the rise of UKIP?   If it's simply a matter of a protest vote this can be registered in many better ways — spoiling the ballot paper for example — without giving credence to what I would view as a dangerous and bonkers bunch. UKIP is not what it seems — leader Nigel Farage, who delights in projecting his image as the 'common man' is the son of a stockbroker who has had all his children privately educated. Furthermore, while they rubbish the whole EU system, UKIP MEPs are more than happy to take the generous salaries and expenses. UKIP is not credible, lacks party discipline and has come in for criticism from its own members, never mind its opponents. Do you remember Mr Farage describing their 2010 manifesto as drivel? Do you remember the resignation of a central party member accusing them of racism? Do you remember Godfrey Bloom not being censored for the Bongo Bongo Land debacle? It's frustratingly difficult to find out what they actually do stand for, but among their policies they have been advocating selling off the NHS, legalising hand guns, making abortion more difficult and downgrading and compromising employment status for women. Their own members and other right wing parties like the BNP have described them as extremist and racist and they have a knack of seeking really unsavoury colleagues both in Europe and here. Although they may never be actual policies, some of the wilder assertions and suggestions remind us of chilling policies of European fascist parties. So voters please be aware that UKIP is not what is seems. The genial, blokey, booze and fags image hides a plethora of downright scary and backward looking policies. Paul Wilson Station Road Okehampton