Can Ukip Become A Mainstream Political Force In The Next Few Years?

[ichkeria]

Or is their appeal always going to be limited to the 'Britain's gone to the dogs' protest vote?

[ChillDoubt]

With possibly one or two manifesto tweaks I see no reason why they couldn't.

[Richard1966]

There a one policy party, they will pick up protest votes at the next election and may even overtake the traitor lib's but they have no long term hope of being mainstream. Worst case scenario is that their is another hung parliament in 2015 and they side with the torus to prop up another 5 years of slash and burn.

[brionon]

I hope not !!

[rojash]

Anyone remember the social democratic party? Started small, swelled in a blaze of optimism, disappearing into the Lib-Dems.

As has been said, UKIP is a one policy party. Mostly it relies on protest votes from the right of centre. And considering we already have 3 right wing-parties, I can't see it making much difference in the long term.

[Zacs-Master]

I would hope that enough UK voters have enough common sense to delve a little deeper than their quite misleading policy headlines.

[venator]

Cameron would do well to promise a referendum inside 6 months after the next election.

This would take the wind out of the sails of UKIP - we don't want another silly party getting into power now that the Lib Dems have self destructed!

[jake-the-peg]

Nigel Farage stood in my constituancy because it was the speaker's and no main stream party would be fighting it.
He came third behind John Bercow and a man dressed in a Dolphin suit.

- It is a well known phenominum that people make protest votes at by-elections but much less so at General elections.

If they can't win a by-election they won't win the seat in the general election

They might pick up the odd seat like the Green Party did but all they're capable of at this election is splitting the Tory vote.

They might pick up the od

[modeller]

No! They know that they must first broaden their policy base and that requires getting more experience in local government. They have made a start .
UKIP have struck a chord with the general public who feel we have lost control of our own affairs and neither the Tories or Labourites are prepared to recover that control. W

[modeller]

Whether you agree with UKIP or not they are prepared to act, as opposed to our politicians who just have a wish list.

[NOX]

Of the three of em Jake- the man in the Dolphin suit sounds best to me...

I agree with the major concensus here that they are a one trick pony and that they have no truly meaningful long term place in British politics.