To think Ukip is here to stay.

[Jacobsmum1972]

Ukip are on 17% in the poll today. I am seeing many vote Ukip signs around where I live, I used to think they would disappear like the BNP did but now I think they are here too stay.

They'll take some time to go, but I suspect they'll collapse once Farage has gone. They clearly find it impossible to control their nutters properly, and the nutters will end up taking over.

Suppose that the Tories lose this election and choose a more right-wing leader to replace Cameron, while UKIP only have a handful of MPs. UKIP could quite easily evaporate in that situation.

I agree that they're a one man band. Farage being the more palatable side of the party tells you all you need to know about UKIP and its mad box of frogs.

Its because all 3 main parties are so central that parties like ukip exist. Because no major party will challenge or tackle some of the more controversial issues people to the far right and left feel ignored. So when a party like ukip comes along they sign up in their droves.

My daughter made me proud. We had a ukip leaflet through the door earlier, she picked it up, tore it up and said 'urgh don't like racists'

I'm beginning to believe they are a true threat for future elections.
They certainly seem to have an increasing number of supporters. They have certainly shaken up british politics which is good because whether people like them or not, they prove an alternative to the usual lies and whitewash the other parties dish up.
No, I'm not a supporter, I have too many European and none European friends who live here. No, I won't be voting for them, but there are plenty in the NW who will be and they are giving Labour a run for their money around here.

I think it matters a lot what happens on Thursday. With all the hype the party's had, if they don't perform I think we'll see them collapse. I'd like to think they won't last either way, but of they do well at this election I suspect they're here to stay.

Nah, I think UKIP will vanish. The other parties will be forced to think about immigration and come up with some economically sensible policies, without being accused of racism. It's already happening, e.g labour policy: immigrants won’t be able to claim benefits for at least two years. So UKIP does everyone a favour, and makes it possible for the impact of immigration to be on the agenda. And then hopefully they will disappear again.

While everyone was laughing at Labour in the 80s for being riven by infighting, they managed - in the main - to reform and exclude the more extreme elements (Militant, for those interested in history).

When they won in 1997 I said the Tories would need to go through a similar process, and the issue would be Europe. I stand by that. And by delaying that process, rather than grasping the nettle - the Tories will continue to suffer.

The problem is, a lot of Tories are actually very pro Europe (including David Cameron - I've heard him defend it passionately). However, a lot of their supporters aren't.

Really we need the Eurosceptic Tories to join UKIP.

I'm pro-EU anyway (although quite happy to have a referendum) which limits my choices.

Of course UKIP is here to stay. I'm no fan of theirs, but as long as we are part of the European Union, there is a very valid place for a political party that stands against our membership. That's what democracy is about.

No one's saying they should be outlawed just that they don't see the current model lasting long into the future.

Once extremist policies are watered down and incorporated into the policies of more moderate parties those parties become obsolete. Yes sadly scumbags like the edl will still run but no one takes them seriouslY. Hopefully now the conversation is open about difficult to discuss issues like immigration ukip will fuck off again From whence they came

I thought one of Labour and Conservative manifesto promises was 'to control immigration'. How is that different to what UKIP want? Does that make Labour and Conservative racist?

I'm cautiously optimistic that support for them is already beginning to dwindle. I have not seen any UKIP posters here at all and there were quite a few at the by-election last year. I don't think Farage will win in Thanet and I can't see them winning many (if any) seats. I could be completely wrong of course ... (maybe I should pack my bags, just in case)

Doubt it. They are unlikely to win any seats

Maybe one or two, Heels, but that's about it.

Hopefully now the conversation is open about difficult to discuss issues like immigration

But the conversation isn't really open. It still seems that there are many many people whose instinctive reaction to anybody who expresses a concern about unrestricted immigration is to call them racist. As long as that mindset exists the conversation is not open and UKIP will not go away.

I think UKIP are here to stay. I also think people will be taken aback by their share of the vote on Thursday.

Personally I don't see UKIP as extreme in the slightest. They represent rational approaches to issues like immigration, national sovereignty, tax, house building, the NHS, the environment.... It is the other parties who have become irrational on a great many issues under the pressure of ideology or the desire to be seen to be virtuous.

For instance, how is it rational to have surrendered your ability to control immigration? Or allowed your laws to be superceded by unelected officials from 27 other countries? How is it rational to avoid absolutely any criticism of the way the NHS is run or funded because to do so is seen as akin to blasphemy? Or cutting your armed forces in a world that is getting more and more dangerous?

UKIP are the natural result of consensus politics which has completely lost its way.

The Labour party abandoned its principles to appeal to Tory voters, the Tories still shamelessly appeal to snobbery and elitism. LD kept the worst of Tory policy out but got very little in. Since so many are dis-illusioned with the 'main' parties. UKIP probably is here for the foreseeable as are the Greens, SNP and (hopefully) TUSC.

Easy immigration and EU membership is still favoured by the 'business' lobby. Will any party actually dare to piss them off?