Early Local Election results - UKIP smashing it

[Hamilton]

Realistically if their popularity continues for another 12 months they'll only win a few target seats , we're not talking about them winning 326 seats or more.

Agree. Lib Dems have proved time and again that 25% of the vote doesn't always turn into seats.

The only thing it can do is result in yet another toothless coalition government and total inertia. Are we in danger of becoming Belgium?

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Maybe but don't underestimate the value of excellent local constituency MP's and organised and efficient campaigning. These are 2 areas the Lib Dems excel in.

Agreed but think of those LibDem voters who were truly appalled at voting Yellow and seeing it turn Blue when the paint had dried.

 

[Hamilton]

Ukip party leader Nigel Farage enjoying a pint in the Hoy and Helmet Pub in South Benfleet, Essex as he celebrates his party's success

The old Farage smokescreen image: The cheeky chappie 'man of the people' with his pint.

Look at his real world experience and you see something else - a calculating career politician who never made it in the Tory party so left to pursue his self interests elsewhere.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Ukip party leader Nigel Farage enjoying a pint in the Hoy and Helmet Pub in South Benfleet, Essex as he celebrates his party's success

Not since Harold Wilson's Gannex mac and pipe have we seen a party leader with such a determined approach to image creation.

However ... proper beer drinkers prefer a straight glass.

 

[spring hall convert]

Agreed but think of those LibDem voters who were truly appalled at voting Yellow and seeing it turn Blue when the paint had dried.

You're telling me, I'm lucky I guess that I had the option to vote Lucas (I was Labour before Iraq, went to Lib Dem, voted Green tactically at the last GE and have stuck there.) I would have been utterly furious if I'd voted Lib Dem at the last election and doubt that I would have done it again.

You may well be right but the 2 things I've mentioned are immensely useful from their perspective.

 

[spring hall convert]

The old Farage smokescreen image: The cheeky chappie 'man of the people' with his pint.

Look at his real world experience and you see something else - a calculating career politician who never made it in the Tory party so left to pursue his self interests elsewhere.

He is the least convincing anti-establishment figure I've ever seen.

 

[London Irish]

this doesn't wash any more all this. its not enough.

We'll see This is a gift that is going to keep on giving
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...ing-to-the-educated-and-cultured-9423200.html

Remember, the reason why no Labour figure went heavy on anti-Ukip offensive over last few weeks is that they want them to turn in a 20% vote at the general election, it will destroy the Tories

 

[vegster]

The old Farage smokescreen image: The cheeky chappie 'man of the people' with his pint.

Look at his real world experience and you see something else - a calculating career politician who never made it in the Tory party so left to pursue his self interests elsewhere.

Yes, much as he says he hates the EU he is happy to take the maximum expenses on offer. Yes, good photo op for Nigel with his pint of good British beer and the flag of St George in the background. Only spoilt by the Carlsberg advertising .... Sorry Nige,

 

[beorhthelm]

this sums up the left wingers very well: http://www.cityam.com/article/1400778816/socrates-and-euro-elections-democratic-dialogue

now im not a UKIP fan, but too many of you are playing the man and not the ball. when will you address the concerns that large group of voters have, rather than calling them racist?

 

[Lord Bracknell]

We'll see This is a gift that is going to keep on giving
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...ing-to-the-educated-and-cultured-9423200.html

But there are MILLIONS of people in this country who don't like the "educated, cultured and young", any more than they like bankers or Bulgarians.

 

[LA1972]

36% is the only stat people should be talking about. Throwing toys out the pram about UKIP seems more important to some

 

[Buzzer]

We'll see This is a gift that is going to keep on giving
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...ing-to-the-educated-and-cultured-9423200.html

Remember, the reason why no Labour figure went heavy on anti-Ukip offensive over last few weeks is that they want them to turn in a 20% vote at the general election, it will destroy the Tories

That argument might work if UKIP weren't also taking Labour votes too. They took 10 of the 21 seats in Rotherham, UKIP cost Labour Thurrock Council, took seats off Labour in Bolton and Basildon. You are Comical Ali and I claim my £10.

 

[Nibble]

We don't need UKIP to smash the Tories. The conservatives won't get a vote North of Deptford.

 

[TomandJerry]

According to Sky, Ukip have just reached 100 net gains.

 

[spring hall convert]

That argument might work if UKIP weren't also taking Labour votes too. They took 10 of the 21 seats in Rotherham, UKIP cost Labour Thurrock Council, took seats off Labour in Bolton and Basildon. You are Comical Ali and I claim my £10.

Buzzer & Beorhtelm are completely right here. It's time to win the debate rather than mudsling.

It's almost like the main parties have been waiting for Farage to shoot himself in the foot. Perhaps that will happen but it's a fairly risky game to play...

 

[GreersElbow]

Big questions for Milliband tonight. Will he still be leader by next May? I see him as millstone around Labour's neck and they would be better off junking him now and hoping for a boost. He has 'loser' written all over him, I'm afraid.

I think senior figures in Labour have just realised the unions screwed them over in 2010 by forcing the election of that baffoon. Labour would be fair better off with David Miliband as leader.

 

[GreersElbow]

You mean that directive that prevents people who actually want to do more hours from doing so ? Thankfully Britain has an opt out and I've yet to work anywhere where your contract doesn't automatically sign you out anyway ( which I've always been happy to do ).

I really don't get your point....but okay

 

[Nibble]

The problem with UKIP supporters is they would forgive Farage if he came up behind Trevor MacDonald live on international Telly with a shovel and stoved his head in while yelling "Take that you black *******". We need a solid party, with competent leadership whom we can trust in to see UKIP off. We won't get it though.

 

[TomandJerry]

UKIP seat in Accrington

 

[strings]

In Wolverhampton, 46 of the 60 council seats are now labour. I tend to think that majorities that large are a bad thing - in my opinion a lack of strong opposition means that Councillors are not held to account enough on the decisions that they make.