Ukip Backing Zac Goldsmith In By-Election

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37786753

Apparently Farage has decided that he won't field a UKIP candidate against Goldsmith.

I bet Zac is relived to hear that ...at least he doesn't have to worry about those few dozen votes then !

Phew...what a narrow escape !

[dannyk13]

Reason given is that they don't want to split the vote which might give the Lib-dems a chance.

[ToraToraTora]

wise move from Sir Nige in my opinion.

[naomi24]

Sensible move.

[jno]

there's talk of Labout not opposing him either.

[ToraToraTora]

good point danny the last thing we want is the anti British Limp dums. I'd rather have Labour than that shower.

[mikey4444]

Given the paltry amount of votes that UKIP managed to get, in the last 4 Elections, its nether one thing or another.

[ToraToraTora]

quite right mikey, it's amazing they delivered brexit with no support. Saint Nigel must be a genius.

[ichkeria]

This really is turning into a mini EU referendum. Goldsmith was a Brexiteer in a staunchly Remain constituency. So if it did turn out that way the Lib Dems (whose candidate of course is also anti-Heathrow) would win.

[Gromit]

Labour are not fielding a candidate either, apparently.
Neither are the Conservatives, and now UKIP.

Leaving a two horse between the LibDems and Goldsmith.

His resignation is looking increasingly like a gamble, with the odds reversing from a sure winner to a probable loser.

At a time when the Government have a very small minority, the resignation was reckless, stupid and the last thing May wanted.

[Gromit]

Richmond Park is a Remain constituency.
UKIP were never going to 'split the vote'.

Farage simply realised he had no buns to bring to this particular bun fight.
The humilation UKIP suffered at Witney where three quarters of their voters disappeared will not have gone un-noticed. Farage knows that a similar humilation at Richmond Park would probably finish UKIP.

Self preservation rather than a strategic move to help the (not) Tory.

[hereIam]

Well done Nige.

[Gromit]

Yep, well done Farage for putting the brakes on driving UKIP over the cliff.
He just has to find reverse gear now.

[jno]

the last thing May wanted

that was why he threatened it. Good for him on going through with it; he's standing by promises to his constituents. I don't think he minds the risk of losing, he's got enough spare change not to need an MP's expenses to live on. He blew his hopes of the London mayoralty with some extreme bad judgment but he seems to know what he's doing this time, for better or worse.

[Jackdaw33]

UKIP have no quarrel with Goldsmith so why oppose him?

[jno]

maybe because they're a political party who want to get seats in parliament? But who have, as Gromit says, not a hope of doing so.

[Gromit]

Jackdaw,

Perhaps UKIP should become a pressure group rather than a political party. That way they will never have to stand for election again. They spend a lot of time and effort not winning any elections, which could be energy better served brown-nosing the Conservatives.

[fraser]

Labour not fielding a candidate because they know they would get hammered!! Sorry Mikey but socialism is dead and rip

[Gromit]

Fraser,
socialism has always been dead in Richmond Park. Labour would get hammered there, but that is not why they are not standing.
Labour convincingly beat Goldsmith in a two horse race for the London Mayor, and they not want to contrive another two horse race for Richmond Park.

[Gromit]

Not sure where that final not came from. Should read:

*...and they want to contrive another two horse race for Richmond Park. *