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[CaptainZok]

It does seem odd that so many of Mr Farage's colleagues seem to want to be a part of that which they seek to destroy.

[Nickbat]

The thing exercising my mind is the dismal performance of the party within the UK since 1994 and under Farage’s stewardship

There has been a sea change on two fronts since the 90s. In that decade, and the first few years of the 2000s, most people were unconcerned about the EU. They were doing all right and the EU seemed a largely benign organisation (to them, that is). Of course, when the European elections came round and those who were suitably motivated to vote began to consider their options, there appeared one party that wanted less intrusion from Brussels and they duly voted. That is how Nigel Farage got his seat and that is also, and why don't people mention this? - how Danial Hannan got elected. He is a Tory, but highly eurosceptic. Why doesn't he get the flak?

Since the financial crisis, the bailouts and the increased moves to an EU superstate have finally brought the ogre of the EU to the attention of the masses (well, some of them anyway). Hence the rise in UKIP's fortunes.

At the same time, and this is my second point, the coalition has - to many ardent Conservatives - been a disaster. More government, not less as promised. More sleaze, not less as promised. More erosion of our sovereignty, not less as promised. There is a feeling that there is nothing to choose between LibLabCon. Where do those votes go? To UKIP.

Thus to summarise, the fact that UKIP have no Westminster representation merely reflects the earlier, and now outdated, view of the electorate that Europe doesn't matter; that a Conservative-led coalition would be a massive antidote to the Blair/Brown years. By waiting in the wings as MEPs, the leadership has been quietly building a viable alternative to the stifling tripartite political system we have been forced to endure. UKIP is massively underfunded, but it has kept going and will reap the rewards of its work, I am sure.       

[albitz]

The next general election could be very significant.Its possible that many conservative thinking people will finally give up on the Tories after having endured the disaster that is Camerons leadership.If the result of the election is (as I suspect) a Labour govt. there may well be a bloodbath in the Tory party resulting in some senior figures defecting to UKIP. Real conservatives in the Tory party are in utter despair at the moment,and they wont toe the line and keep quiet for ever.
I noticed that Peter Stringfellow (a lifelong Tory) announced that he has left the Tories and Joined UKIP a few days ago.Maybe not the most heavyweight personality we could wish for,but he has plenty of money,so the party war chest might benefit from a large donation in the near future.

[Tetleysmooth]

I noticed that Peter Stringfellow (a lifelong Tory) announced that he has left the Tories and Joined UKIP a few days ago.

I wonder how many of his dancing girls are of foreign extraction.......

[Nickbat]

I noticed that Peter Stringfellow (a lifelong Tory) announced that he has left the Tories and Joined UKIP a few days ago.

I wonder how many of his dancing girls are of foreign extraction.......

UKIP have no problem with foreigners. Indeed, Mr Farage is married to a German! Their point is that something has to be done to curb the numbers and cut the ability of immigrants to become parasites on our generous welfare state. I doubt there is anyone who does not understand that our infrastructure (schools, hospitals, housing etc.) is not capable of meeting the demands of an ever-increasing tide of immigration. No racism, just common sense. 

[Tetleysmooth]

I was listening to LBC 97.3 a couple of nights ago while driving my lorry. There was a report on there about coachloads of Romanians being shipped over here prior to the Olympics. Wonder why? Apparently, they don't get checked by the Border Agency. They are then dropped off at Marble Arch and basically told to get on with it. One of the women was interviewed on the radio (she couldn't speak English). When asked several times why she was here, the only word she could muster was 'food'.

[Nickbat]

Seaford Town Council By-Election (yesterday): UKIP GAIN.

UKIP: 428, Conservative: 365, LibDems: 344, Labour: 105.

[aaronjb]

Maybe I'm overly cynical, but does anyone really think that if UKIP were to be voted in during a general election that they would actually hold a referendum on EU membership?

[Terbs]

Maybe I'm overly cynical, but does anyone really think that if UKIP were to be voted in during a general election that they would actually hold a referendum on EU membership?

Only one way to find out, mate

[Tetleysmooth]

Seaford Town Council By-Election (yesterday): UKIP GAIN.

UKIP: 428, Conservative: 365, LibDems: 344, Labour: 105.

Is that Seaford, Sussex?

[omega3000]

Seaford Town Council By-Election (yesterday): UKIP GAIN.

UKIP: 428, Conservative: 365, LibDems: 344, Labour: 105.

 

[Nickbat]

Seaford Town Council By-Election (yesterday): UKIP GAIN.

UKIP: 428, Conservative: 365, LibDems: 344, Labour: 105.

Is that Seaford, Sussex?

Yep.

[Tetleysmooth]

Seaford Town Council By-Election (yesterday): UKIP GAIN.

UKIP: 428, Conservative: 365, LibDems: 344, Labour: 105.

Is that Seaford, Sussex?

Yep.

Blimey, things must be changing. I definitely thought they were the blue rinse brigade.
Excellent.

[tunnie]

Maybe I'm overly cynical, but does anyone really think that if UKIP were to be voted in during a general election that they would actually hold a referendum on EU membership?

Would hope so 

What better time to make a break for it than in a double dip?

Personally I hope France gets a new leader and gives two fingers to the EU, let Germany deal with it all. For the third time 

[Dishevelled Den]

Maybe I'm overly cynical, but does anyone really think that if UKIP were to be voted in during a general election that they would actually hold a referendum on EU membership?

Your cynicism may be well founded AJB


If the system is wrong, change it! ---- poses Witterings from Witney and finishes his piece thus;

 
The foregoing is but a further example of how our system of democracy is broken and in need of repair. Ask yourself what company would continue to employ those who show no ability? What company would then rehire those they have sacked to perform the same jobs they had previously held? What company would rehire those who had previously brought that company to its knees financially? It looks very likely that if our present situation persist, then come the next general election that is exactly what the electorate will do.

http://witteringsfromwitney.com/

I'm inclined to feel that most of those elected to Westminster are eventually subsumed into a carefully constructed machine wherein the copious amounts of 'oil' always present ensures that the earnest statements made by each during the election campaign are simply – but compellingly - reduced to the waste of empty promises in the face of harsh political life and the realisation that one gains little from rocking the boat.

The establishment is a very alluring yet capricious mistress.