UKIP TAKES ALL THE HONOURS IN EASTLEIGH.

So Eastleigh did stay with the Liberal Democrats, but with a much reduced share of the vote. Undoubtedly, they had UKIP to thank for this happy turn of events as the 'new kids on the block' sent the Conservatives tumbling down to third place in a seat that they themselves held as recently as 20 years ago. Seeing and hearing the candidates, it wasn't hard to see why UKIP's Diane James gained more favour than the Conservative's Maria Hutchings and she could easily do even better in a couple of years time.

 

Although the Liberals retained the seat it is UKIP who are the real winners. Not only did they achieve their best result ever in a UK parliamentary election, they convinced nearly 28% of the electorate to vote for them. This is far more than a simple protest vote and, with the Conservatives unable to fight them off, it is also a serious message to David Cameron and his chums that they need to get a grip of things.

 

Cameron is, by upbringing and inclination, much more of a social democrat than a true Conservative and he's also scared of not being in what they all like to call 'the centre ground'. Consequently, he's fundamentally incapable of taking the strong and decisive action that's necessary to bring real long-term stability back to the British economy. Additionally, he's incapable of responding to the concerns of his more right wing colleagues on issues such as the EU and immigration, leaving a gaping hole through which UKIP have now stormed.

 

This election result may, of course, be nothing more than a blip, though that seems very unlikely. UKIP are, at the very least, destined to be a very significant presence at future elections, taking votes from all three of the main parties though, perhaps, mainly from the Conservatives. However, they may turn out to be much more than this and could easily become a real force in British politics, one which will move us to a 4-party system and perpetual coaltion government. Alternatively, disaffected Conservative voters may turn to them for salvation and Eastleigh might signal the start of a terminal decline for a party which has stood the test of time for more than 200 years; UKIP could be the 'New Conservatives'.

 

In May, many people will go to the polls again in local government elections for 35 non-Metropolitan county councils and unitary authorities. The Conservatives currently hold power in 29 of these authorities and Labour in just 1. If UKIP decide to get involved, the picture after the elections might be very, very different.