If Clegg And Farage Lost...?

[sp1814]

This is just one opinion poll of many - but does anyone know what would happen to both Clegg and Farage if they lost the battle for their respective seats in the forthcoming General Election?

Can a party be lead by someone who isn't actually an MP?

I mean, Farage isn't an MP at the moment, and that doesn't mean he can't lead UKIP - but if he lost South Thanet...what then?

Is there a precedent?

[ToraToraTora]

you should be more worried about Red Ed!

[Gromit]

It is strange that all the fuss about Sturgeon not being an elected MP comes from right wingers. Yet no mention was made when Lord Pearson led UKIP in the 2010 General Election.

[Baldric]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/nigel-farage-will-quit-as-ukip-leader-if-he-fails-to-win-a-seat-at-general-election-10109927.html

[naomi24]

Gromit, //no mention was made when Lord Pearson led UKIP in the 2010 General Election.//

He doesn’t and didn’t wield the influence that she wields – nor was he ever likely to be in a position to manipulate the government of this country to his party’s own ends. It’s not rocket science.

[TWR]

If you were in the position of D.C. Or D.M. what truthful policies would "Hand On Heart" try to achieve"

[ichkeria]

Nigel Farage, Nicola Sturgeon, Leanne Wood, Peter Robinson, Gerry Adams, Nicola Bennett are leaders of UK parties with between them 25 seats in Parliament and not one is an MP

I am amazed no one remembers dear old Harry West, the last party leader to lose his seat in a General Election and the only MP who only ever sat in Parliament between the two 1974 elections.
I'm off to buy a new anorak having worn out the old one :-)

[ichkeria]

Natalie Bennett :-)

[ichkeria]

Peter Robinson of course was also leader of the DUP when booted out by Naomi Long
New anorak def required :-)

[sp1814]

naomi24

In fairness, Nigel Farage is in exactly the same position.

Same could have been said for Nick Clegg back in 2010, but I question the effectiveness of the LibDem influence once they got into power (tuition fees springs to mind).

[Marshwarble]

Well famously Gerry Adams was head of Sein Finn even though he couldn't stand as an MP in Northern Ireland.

[Hopkirk]

Autumn 2015 general election

B. Johnson v A. Burnham v T. Farron v D. Carswell

[lindapalmara]

//I'm seriously tempted to award you 'best answer'.//

[lindapalmara]

//I'm seriously tempted to award you 'best answer'.//.

That was my joke SP! http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Phrases-and-Sayings/Jokes/Question1416162.html

[ichkeria]

Actually Marshwarble Gerry Adams was never prevented from standing as an MP. He was an MP for several years until he stood down

I also enjoyed the Sturgeon joke. I hear that the leader of Scottish labour is desperate to know the identity of that farmer :-)

[jim360]

If?

[New Judge]

“if Clegg or Farage didn't win in their respective constituencies, then they could still lead the party, but would they be allowed into the House of Commons?”

Of course not, sp. Only MPs and officials are allowed on the floor of the House. You might as well ask if the Sturgeon woman will be allowed in and this has already been adequately addressed.

Mr Farage has already said he will resign as leader of UKIP if he fails to get elected. He will almost certainly return to the City where he enjoyed considerable success as a trader on the London Metal Exchange before taking up politics. Clegg will almost certainly bog off to Brussels and be appointed to a job where he will wield far more power over the UK electorate than he ever did as Deputy Prime Minister.

[whirlyhurly]

Eventually Clegg would be festooned in the Lords.

[Jackdaw33]

The last PM from the HofL was in fact Lord Home for a very brief time in October 1963 before becoming an MP.