The influence of UKIP

[Workingman]

The Tories are in a bit of a mess this morning, as is the whole of the Westminster bubble. Theresa May says that they have to listen and that 'lessons must be learnt'. Surprise, surprise! David Davis wants the referendum on Europe brought forward, asap. Sarah Newton wants the legislation about it brought forward so that it must go ahead whoever wins the general election. And there are rumblings from the back benches about Cameron's position. He has been very quiet apart from his U-turn about UKIP's 'clowns'.

Red Ed doesn't have much to say.

And Clegg must be wondering whether the time is right to walk away and start again.

[pederito1]

All in a Tiz Woz I am sure. Expect though that the majority of the UKIP vote is just a protest against the present government.

[Aggers]

If I vote for UKIP it won't be a protest - It will be because I want someone in power who wants to make GB great again.

[Workingman]

Given my views on the EU I obviously do no support UKIP, but I will feel no shame when I use it as a protest vote, none at all.

[Suff]

At this time, wm, I Don't think your protest vote will go against your wishes on the EU. But then, for a several decades, the Scots voted for the SNP expecting that they would never have to vote for independence.

Funny how things work out in the end isn't it. Some parties do actually do what they were set up for. Really it's the aftermath, when they do what it said in the manifesto but "hang around" to keep on leeching the power and privilege for decades afterwards...

Personally I think that the current UKIP vote is a protest vote. However it will bring in funding. There are the EU elections and I expect them to get an even bigger proportion of the vote in that one. Sending the UKIP to Brussels is seen as the ultimate protest vote against the EU. If people realised that it is a futile gesture which does nothing, they would vote differently in the UK elections. However, again, it will bring more funding and allow the UKIP to field more candidates and do more damage to the Tory and Lib Dem vote.

We shall see how it plays out, but expect the UKIP to be vilified, posted as racist extremists and nut jobs before the next election in the UK....

[Workingman]

Personally I think that the current UKIP vote is a protest vote. However it will bring in funding. There are the EU elections and I expect them to get an even bigger proportion of the vote in that one. Sending the UKIP to Brussels is seen as the ultimate protest vote against the EU. If people realised that it is a futile gesture which does nothing, they would vote differently in the UK elections. However, again, it will bring more funding and allow the UKIP to field more candidates and do more damage to the Tory and Lib Dem vote.

We shall see how it plays out, but expect the UKIP to be vilified, posted as racist extremists and nut jobs before the next election in the UK....

That was my thinking Suff, when I posted the other day. UKIP is on an upward curve and it is more than possible for it to have a handful of MPs after the general election.

Reading newspaper and TV blogs it appears that the closet racist accusations have had their day. Quite a lot of UKIP supporters have gone on the attack accusing the accusers of trying to close down the debate with their insults. It is noticeable that they have decreased as UKIP supporters force the issue - a good thing imo.

UKIP will come under closer scrutiny, of that there is no doubt, but from my angle that is because it is forcing the hand of the ditherers in the ConLibLab coalition all of whom would rather fudge the EU issue.

[cromwell]

The european elections will be upon us next year. I expect some serious mud slinging in the run up!

[pederito1]

It is easy enough for Farage to make promises to entice the voters but have we any evidence to believe he might be any different from previous soap box politicians with popular measures that evaporate once they get in power?

[Suff]

It is easy enough for Farage to make promises to entice the voters but have we any evidence to believe he might be any different from previous soap box politicians with popular measures that evaporate once they get in power?

Salmond and the SNP. There will be a vote.... Evidence of single issue parties delivering on the single issue.