UKIP TOP THE POLLS !

Now that nearly all of the results are in, we can finally see the effect that UKIP have had in the elections for the European Parliament.

Really rather astonishingly, this party, which has been called a bunch of "fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists" by our beloved Leader, has come top of the polls; does this then brand more than a quarter of the population that voted as such ? Across England, outside of London, UKIP actually polled over 31% of the vote; this figure was dragged down by the huge Labour bias in London, and by the SNP/Labour axis in Scotland but, even so, it demonstrates enormous disquiet amongst the electorate.

The response of the 3 traditional parties to this earthquake has been pathetic. They're all relying on voters returning to the fold at next year's General Election so, while telling us that they've "listened" or "will address the voters' issues", or "understand the voters' concerns", they've basically sat on their hands and swallowed hard. They really do not 'get it'.

No doubt, many voters will go back to their roots next year, but many will not. UKIP may win a few seats in the UK Parliament, or they may not. However, for a party to come from nowhere to be top of any national election is phenomenal. In 2009, they gained 16.5% of the vote and now that has risen to 27.5%; this is not the usual swings and roundabouts between Labour and Conservatives, it is something far more fundamental.

The insults, abuse and  brickbats that have been hurled at Nigel Farage and his party over recent months have failed to deter voters from expressing their unhappiness; unless the other main parties mend their ways and start really listening to the electorate, next year's election may not be quite so spectacular but they will find it most challenging. UKIP has a whole year in which to build on its successes and build they will. The Parliamentary by-election in Newark, due to be held on 5th June, will be their first opportunity to show just how significant is their following and it's not beyond the bounds of possibility that they could even win it.

It is high time that the 3 old parties were shaken out of their complacency and UKIP might just be the lot to do it. The only problem is that once they gain seats in the House of Commons, they'll start to become part of the establishment; will they then continue to be a force to be reckoned with, or will they just become another bunch of career politicians with snouts in the trough and paying little or no attention to their voters ? Only time will tell.