07/05/2013, 23:51
(05/05/2013 06:38)507009 Wrote: [ -> ](03/05/2013 20:41)DVL418 Wrote: [ -> ]I suspect when some of the voters who decided to give Cameron and Gideon a gentle kicking yesterday, actually read some of the UKIP policies other than their Europhobic rants that grab the headlines, they will sit at home at the next general election rather than vote UKIP again.
Good to see the BNP/EDL creatures getting another thorough kicking which will hopefully see them shrivel up and slither back under the stone they came from.
This UKIP voter won't be doing that, and neither will any of the fellow voters he has spoken to recently (and there have been several). Some of us have had it up to here with all three of the so-called mainstream parties. It's far more than just a protest vote. UKIP garnered nearly 25% of the popular vote - very significant indeed and has certainly brought the party into contention as a major political player.
However, as Metroline says, the Conservative's losses are hardly as disastrous as might be expected. Labour have made gains, but it doesn't say a lot for Miliband that these gains are well below what you might expect given the unpopularity of the coalition.
I can't disagree on the BNP sentiments at all but I think they were a genuine protest vote. Griffin's credibility since their success has been thankfully shot to ribbons.
Interesting strategic choice for Dave and Gideon.
Do they lurch further to the right, if thats still possible, to try and grab back some of the Europhibic supporters lost to UKIP or do they try and steamroller the LIb Dems into political oblivion?
Either way, midlands and northern conurbations are likely to remain largely Tory-free zones for a few more years yet as they try and suck-up to their 'core' home counties support (and funders).