Time for Farage to "take a break"?

Cliff

If UKIP got 4m votes because of the EU and immigration it is obviously something that worries a lot of level headed people. Hot headed anti fox hunting and all the other protests that turn into marches never got that kind of support. Secondly, most want immigration controlled without getting nasty towards immigrants that are already here. Marches are not the right approach.

It's a difficult balance which is missed by the extreme right wing and the silly Guardian journalists. I only mention this because one of them said last night on Sky News that the immigrants in Calais wanted to come here because the French police were beating them. Reason enough!

Many people are very concerned about these figures, and they didn't vote UKIP. (Including myself). I wonder what party Gillian Duffy voted for- probably labour.

So don't assume because the Tories won that people don't care about the numbers.

Enki

A bit grandiose, Minister Cliff of propaganda. Think you will find that was sold off long ago, likely when British energy was sold off to the French taxpayer, we are good European's, almost submissive really.

Don't be too down beaten by my choice of plumber, it makes the other plumber more productive, you may benefit. I'm doing you favour, but if you like you can have the number of many broken english plumber.  It will mean the other plumber becomes even more productive, then you could be doing someone else a favour, just imagine what we can achieve together, if we apply this across the whole labour market.

Rasczak

If UKIP, that is to say the Farage, appealed to "a lot of level headed people" then they would have won more seats. That they didn't is indicative of minority appeal.

EarthRod

According to some on this forum, UKIP voters consist of poorly-paid, uneducated old men.

... 4 million of them!

Cliff

Di
Disagree. We were talking about people's concerns and the opinion that immigration does not figure very highly? Not MPs.
Now put that into context with 4million people who voted, on what some would say is a single issue.. Two actually, EU and immigration. Then add those who didn't vote UKIP but still think it is an important issue, then it is rather silly to dismiss this because of seats won or not. 4 million is a huge number of regardless. They still have that opinion!
Just look at how the other parties sat up and took notice. From Ed's Headstone, mugs, and now Cameron's shanagans.

When did we last have a 'single issue' party?

Toko Black

People are entitled to an opinion, but in a democracy, they shouldn't be entitled to set the agenda for everyone else.
Eurosceptic's have loved the fact that 10% of the electorate have created a huge political football out of EU membership and inflated the issue with the addition of immigration.
However, everyone else that is either Pro Europe, neutral or only has marginal issues with he EU have had to deal with what they feel are more important policies, decisions and directions being hijacked and traded away by a vocal minority.

pragmatic

Well that's a pretty massive assumption, the 50/50 split of wanting to leave in a number of polls suggests it is a little more than that!
Well thats why people didn't vote for a one (or two) issue party as other things are also important to them, but it's a logical fallacy to say that non UKIP voters don't cross in the great ven diagram of UK/EU membership, so they must want to stay in or at best disinterested.
It may come as a shock to you to learn that even people who vote SNP and Labour want to leave.

Your painting people based on a vote in a national election is more wishful thinking on your part.

Sonic67

The 50:50 split on Europe is why UKIP has risen in power, why the various parties have had to say where they stand and why there is finally going to be a referendum. It's amazing how long we've never had a real say as to how we feel about being in the EU.

hdsport

Which polling are you refering too?

The listing on Wikipedia collating them that Mike Smithson posted on Twitter showed only 2 this year in favour of leaving and the rest usually with a decent lead for staying in.

https://twitter.com/MSmithsonPB/status/600485162217021440

Not to say of course a vote to stay in is by any means certain plenty of undecideds for a start.

Sonic67

After the GE can we trust polling at all?