UKIP victory in Rochester

[David Johnson]

Well, Clacton clearly isn't a flash in the pan.

What I find extraordinary is the concept that you hear trotted out about UKIP being an attack on the "political elite". People like Farage, Reckless and Carswell are as much a part of the "political elite" as the politicians they criticise.

Secondly, when Reckless stated that UKIP are a party which represents the views of ordinary, working people more than Labour does, I nearly fell off the sofa laughing. You have Farage who two years ago wanted to smash the NHS and introduce a private, medical insurance system like the US. You have Carswell who wants to strip out workers' rights over dismissals for example. And Reckless who seemed to be getting his policies from previous BNP manifestos when he talked about deporting EU workers from Britain.

If they represent workers best then I'm Kylie Minogue.

Mind, it was good to see the Lib Dems have the worst main party performance in a by election ever. One in the eye for all political parties that throw their beliefs out of the window, stab their activists and supporters in the back in a desperate scramble to get into power with a party which diametrically opposes the majority of Lib Dem "beliefs".

[Arginald Valleywater]

And he's off. I suspect you think Farage is planning on building gas chambers and internment camps.....UKIP is right wing and is a legitimate party. If you have left wing politicians you need right wingers to add balance. The annoying fact is anyone voting UKIP is immediately deemed thick. Why?

[David Johnson]

"I suspect you think Farage is planning on building gas chambers and internment camps...."

No you don't suspect that. However, Reckless did talk about deporting EU workers until Farage jumped in.

".UKIP is right wing and is a legitimate party."

Agreed so why make out that they represent ordinary workers' views more than any other party? It is clearly nonsense given the main leaders in UKIP are very much anti-workers interests.

" If you have left wing politicians you need right wingers to add balance. "

Well whether you need it is a different question. You will always get it irrespective of the need or otherwise.

"The annoying fact is anyone voting UKIP is immediately deemed thick. Why?"

I don't think so. Tory voters who now vote UKIP are doing the right thing for them. A lot of them don't like immigrants, gays, civil marriage and the EU. UKIP is a better fit for them.

[randyandy]

The only reason for UKIP wins is because fuckwits, like Ms Thornberry, enabled them.

[Sam Slater]

Exactly, Andy. Though I wouldn't call it 'enabled' it certainly pushes the undecideds away.

The Labour party needs a good shake up.

[Arginald Valleywater]

There is no Labour party. There is no party that represents the common man or woman i.e. those earning less than ?25k a year.

[Essex Lad]

Sam Slater wrote:

> Exactly, Andy. Though I wouldn't call it 'enabled' it certainly
> pushes the undecideds away.
>
> The Labour party needs a good shake up.
>
Which somewhat obviates David Johnson's point that Ukip is almost totally ex-Tories. It's taking votes from everyone.

[David Johnson]

"Which somewhat obviates David Johnson's point that Ukip is almost totally ex-Tories. It's taking votes from everyone."

This is a total misrepresentation. I have never stated anywhere on this forum that UKIP are not taking votes from Labour. Clearly, UKIP will take those Labour voters who are pissed off with immigration for whatever reason.

What I have stated is that UKIP are MORE of a threat to the Tory Party than the Labour Party.

[Essex Lad]

I apologise.

[David Johnson]

No need to apologise but thank you anyway. I am guilty of getting the wrong end of the stick as much as anyone.

I think it will be interesting when the UKIP election manifesto emerges. They will need to decide whether they are the party who two years ago appeared to be in favour of a US style medical insurance alternative to the NHS, a flat rate of tax for all, against workers rights of employment or the party according to Reckless that best represents the views of the average or below average paid working man.