Farage from the Madding Crowd. – The Anna Raccoon Archives

by Anna Raccoon on May 4, 2014

All I remember from Far from the Madding Crowd was that Gabriel’s sheep were driven like lemmings to hurl themselves off a cliff – never to be heard from again. Nigel Farage has no intention of watching his flock of UKIP supporters perform a similar feat – he has declined to stand for election as the MP for Newark in the forthcoming by-election.

He has been widely ridiculed – especially by the current holders of a 16,000 majority – as ‘chicken’ for this decision. ‘Bottled it’.

The people of Newark are not the people of Islington. They don’t subscribe to the politically correct views espoused in that gilded bubble of polenta and all things Soya. They have mortgages, not capital-gains free ‘uplifts’ in the property market. They queue for NHS treatment, not glide into the Kensington and Chelsea. They search the jobs vacant column for opportunities for tool fitters, not toy with the idea of taking on another part time sinecure on a quango. They save for a holiday in Benidorm, not while away sunny days in French chateaux owned by wealthy industrialists. Some of them even walk their children to school and fret that the local islamists haven’t taken over the Governors board, nor other pupils resorted to a carving knife by way of avoiding their ‘O’ levels.

So I have just one question for you this morning – how d’you think David Cameron or Ed Miliband would fare if standing for re-election in Newark on June 5th?

A ‘clucking’ disaster if you ask me. No prizes for estimating Nick Clegg’s chances…

Tagged as: David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Newark By-election, Nigel Farage, UKIP

{ 48 comments… read them below or add one }

Mockbeggar May 4, 2014 at 9:58 am

I go and live not far from Newark. And yes Anna, it’s all of those things. Islington it is not.

Oi you May 4, 2014 at 10:07 am

I think some of our politicians have already vacated this planet for Mars. Wish they’d come down to Earth and live with the rest of us.

Ho Hum, writing as Aesop’s mouse May 4, 2014 at 10:15 am: If I was Golgafrinchan, I’d be first to pony up towards the cost of their spaceship

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Engineer May 4, 2014 at 10:09 am

The political establishment are seriously frightened of Farage, aren’t they? So they should be – they’ve been treating with disdain and contempt the sort of average voter to whom Farage now appeals, so they are only reaping what they’ve sowed. As for his not standing in Newark, he’s quite right – he has no local connections, so it would be better if the UKIP candidate had more background in, and knowledge of the constituency. If Farage stood, he’d be accused of cynical political opportunism, if he doesn’t, he’s accused of being chicken. Farage is quite rightly ignoring the taunts on the grounds that it’s the establishment playing the man not the ball, and his stock with the general public will probably rise because of it.

Bill Sikes’ Dog May 4, 2014 at 10:11 am

It seems to me quite appropriate for either of the three mentioned polititians to represent N*ew*ark .

It is , after all , an anagram for W*nk*r .

Anna Raccoon May 4, 2014 at 10:25 am

Wonderful!

Ho Hum May 4, 2014 at 11:30 am

Could start a new line in political slogans, though?

Don’t be Silly, vote Milly the Willy
Wham Bam! Thank U Cam, and
UnoKip with UKIP Nige!

Daedalus X. Parrot May 4, 2014 at 10:03 pm

You forgot poor cleggy in your ditty, or did his name ruin the subtle poetic rhythms of your iambic pentameter?

Daedalus X. Parrot May 4, 2014 at 10:05 pm

Or are you a pragmatist vwho realises that the Clegg futures market is plumeting at an alarming rate.

Ho Hum May 4, 2014 at 10:18 pm

I merely assumed he was going to suffer premature ejection

Ted Treen May 8, 2014 at 10:37 pm: Come again?

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Tedioustantrums May 4, 2014 at 10:45 am

At last the English are starting to take their revenge on the Westminster establishment. Now they are turning to alternatives, in this case UKIP.

In Scotland we are a bit further down the road. The SNP are far from ideal and the Labour Party in Scotland is no longer the party to vote for. Change is a foot although it may take longer than we think or would prefer.

Ho Hum May 4, 2014 at 11:02 am

But in today’s world of entropic politics, what’s the merit in exchanging one bunch of idiots for a larger bunch of bigger ones?

All that might prove, possibly, is that the rate of entropy applicable to society as a whole is the cause of the matching decline in its political structures, their integrity, competence and general common sense.

And then we get to chicken and egg

Cascadian May 4, 2014 at 7:55 pm

There is much merit in purging charlatans (cast iron camoron) who do not do what they promised. Similarly ignoring the marxist intentions of Milliband would be disastrous. If you decline that opportunity then you really have no right to complain.

Similar fatuous arguments were made in Canada against the Reform Party before they destroyed the pinko, progressive conservatives. Might I suggest your Cons are also more progressive ie socialist than necessary or desired by most of the electorate, their pandering to the radical Muslim hoards will also prove problematic at all future elections..

Ho Hum May 4, 2014 at 8:09 pm

It looks as if our latest comments crossed. You can maybe rest a little more easy, in that it might be clear that I am much less than happy with the current establishment, and I may even hate some of the things they do with a more ‘perfect hatred’ than even you might, but there are certain standards of decency that I should like to see maintained which I fear that the type of radicalism we might be faced with here might make moving to Canada seem even worth the cold

Cascadian May 4, 2014 at 8:34 pm: Indeed our comments did cross.

However, I still hold to the idea that an opportunity to punish the charlatans should never be missed, and propaganda from conservative central, liebour and the lib-dumbs about nazis and swivel-eyed loonies should be severely punished. The Reform party faced similar taunts, progressives just hate the idea of regular members of the electorate joining their cozy club.

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Ted Treen May 8, 2014 at 10:41 pm

But I’d still rather re-introduce Dr Guillotin’s ingenious little contraption instead of all this shilly-shallying.

It’s running costs are negligible, the capital outlay is minimal:- and sales of tickets to spectators would inevitably recoup all costs within about fourteen minutes…

Dioclese May 4, 2014 at 11:39 am

I initially thought Nigel should stand but then I thought about it. It would divert attention away from the EU election campaign and that’s what the other parties really wanted as they tried to goad him into standing. I think he made the right decision.

Then again, remember Martin Bell? Hamilton (now on the UKIP exec council FFS!) got a real hammering in that particular cash for questions issue.

It would be nice to have had Nigel in the Commons for the next 12 months stirring them up a bit and I think he would have had a chance of getting elected, but at the end of the day I reckon he got it right by not standing. Sometimes it takes more guts to say ‘no’…

Robert Edwards May 4, 2014 at 12:03 pm

Important to remember that Clegg has never held government office – Deppity PM is a purely vanity appointment, first bagged (I think) by Heseltine in his role as ‘demandeur’. It had no constitutional staus whatsoever. It’s a ‘me-too’ job. Miliband and Cameron might know where Newark actually is, although I rather doubt it. The outgoing member seems a small loss – aggressive, nasty, self-justifying and stupid; disappointing that the Army ever let him in.

As for Farage, he has my sneaking regard. He has never held office either, but as an ex-broker, he will know where to go in order to obtain information. The polls are interesting; a huge number of people seem to find him attractive. Another huge number seem to think his party is ‘racist’. Are they the same people? I rather doubt it.

I wish him well – he seems more or less fireproof as he watches the others go into a tizzy..

Mudplugger May 4, 2014 at 8:32 pm

The fascinating aspect of the current polling, and the one which is confusing the main parties’ analysts the most, is that UKIP is attractive significant support from people who don’t normally bother to vote. That’s a demographic which the main parties have all failed to engage, but which UKIP/Farage seem to be motivating – whether it’s attraction to UKIP policies, a belated awakening of annoyance with the mainstream, closet racism or a perverse reaction to the merciless campaign of kicking that UKIP are getting from all the establishment press is hard to classify, but whatever it is, it seems to be working.

Everyone is currently assuming that UKIP will ‘win’ this month’s Euro Election – the impact of such a seismic result will be equally fascinating, as the major parties will then seek to shift their positions as far as they dare to limit consequent damage in the UK General Election next May, which UKIP will enter with the new credibility-level of recent victors. This is unprecedented politics we are witnessing.

It is clear that Cameron is already fully rattled – his hint of debating directly with Farage is actually designed to flush out Miliband as an unquestioning Europhile – Cameron has no intention of debating with Farage, he’s already seen how Clegg was monstered, and at least Clegg has a consistent position to defend, albeit the wrong one: Cameron is a value-free zone on Europe, as with most important issues.

BobH May 6, 2014 at 10:31 pm: I would love to see Farage debate with Cameron Clegg and Milliband together. It would be an enormous challenge for Farage, as it would see the LibLabCon all working in unison to destroy Farage and Ukip on every question posed.
Thus all viewers would soon realise that the three stooges are just different facades of the exact same progressive pro EU Westminster Elite party.

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Suffolker May 4, 2014 at 12:36 pm

Your “Far From the Madding Crowd” analogy is even more apposite, when I recall that Gabriel Oak’s sheep were chivvied over the cliff by the shepherd’s misbehaving dog; represented, in this case, by the “chicken-taunters” . The shepherd, on discovering his dead sheep, promptly shot the dog.

Like him or loathe him, Farage is a far shrewder operator than the half-baked politicians that keep having a go at him. The buckets of ordure emptied on him have, at the moment, the magic property of turning into, at least, chrome plate, if not silver or gold (or even Chobham armour).

jaded48 May 4, 2014 at 4:42 pm

The luvvies are running scared of Farage. Every paper is running a smear campaign and the BBC are leading their news programmes with every twitter gaffe by unknown members of UKIP. Come on Nigel,keep the pot stirring.

theonlygoodeuisadeadeu May 4, 2014 at 5:31 pm

Newark smells like a carefully laid trap.
Farage stands – gets elected – gets thrown out at the next Gen Elec – Brussels Broadcasting Corp has an orgasm.
Others have pointed out that Farage faces a huge pay cut if he swaps the EU trough for the Westminster sub-Assembly.

Frankie May 4, 2014 at 6:13 pm

Irritating, smug, self-righteous and (possibly) a closet bigot, hiding in plain sight he may be, but one could describe Farage as politically naive, even if he has had the misfortune to attract all sorts of unsavory latter day Nazi’s, thick racist morons and soup eating fringe-dwelling fruitcakes to his standard.

If nothing else the predicted UKIP landslide will send a belated message to those in the established parties that enough is enough and EU reform (or at least, a proper referendum on the question of membership of the EU) must follow.

And reform at the very least is long overdue…

Cascadian May 4, 2014 at 8:23 pm

And yet your disparaging description of UKIP supporters represent a growing proportion of the British electorate, what does that say?

I think you need to check your assumptions, most of these people are the everyday hard-working, ignored working classes. That you have succumbed to believing the luvvies and conservative central in their frenzied attempts to continue ignoring this cohort frankly does not speak well for your political analysis.

Frankie May 4, 2014 at 8:47 pm

Disparaging? Moi?? I thought that my succinct summation of the average UKIPPER (i.e. one who was actively involved with the party ) was pretty accurate…

I read that an average of only 7% of the electorate were able to name their EU representative when polled on the subject, so it follows that the average UK voter has only the haziest grasp of who or what they are voting for on 22 May , at least in respect of that aspect of the elections, local issues notwithstanding. The average UK voter will vote for UKIP only out of frustration – or at least I hope so. I genuinely hope that the views espoused by UKIP do not represent the views of the majority, because if they do then we are in deep trouble.

This is a moment in history… ‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man’ – even if the man surrounds himself with ‘unsavory latter day Nazi’s, thick racist morons and soup eating fringe-dwelling fruitcakes’.

Cascadian May 4, 2014 at 9:07 pm

A frustration vote is cast after some thought, unlike your analysis.

Strange you should have so much antipathy for approximately 30% of your electorate, the fear is showing. It is also apparent you do not realize you are already in deep trouble despite Anna’s consistent efforts to inform.

Ho Hum May 4, 2014 at 10:14 pm: I love the smell of insight in the evening…

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A Tasty Kipper May 4, 2014 at 11:46 pm

Hi Frankie,

How are you doing?

I am one of those UKIP members that you claim to have a succinct summation of” where you claim we are “unsavoury latter day Nazi’s, thick racist morons and soup eating fringe-dwelling fruitcakes“.

Sorry to disappoint you, but we Ukippers are a mild mannered bunch who politely express our sensible feelings about how the EU is antidemocratic, wasteful and unaccountable, and that mass immigration into the most crowded country in the western world (excluding city states) is a madness. Simples.

I hate to bore you but the facts are that the mass immigration into our tiny island creates house price inflation, wage deflation, two week waits for GP appointments, longer queues for hospital operations, lack of school places, racial and religious unrest, etc.

The “normal” people know this and that is why they are turning to UKIP from Labour and Conservative (probably not from the Lib Dems though, because they are “special”, morally and intellectually, like Mark Oaten, Jeremy Thorpe, Mike Handcock and Cyril Smith amongst others).

– We don’t wear Nazi uniforms (like Ed Balls and a Tory MP did once)
– We don’t shout racial hatred slogans (like the BNP members have done who are now Labour and Tory councilors)
– We don’t advocate the elimination of racial or cultural groups (like Conservatives and Labour seem to do who dislike Christians, dislike all people born here but who want to throw free houses and taxpayers’ money on all new immigrants and give pensions and child benefits to their relatives living abroad).
– I realise that the combined efforts of Conservative HQ, Labour, The Times, The BBC and many others in ploughing through years worth of UKIP twitters and facebooks have extracted a small number of unpleasant opinions from a tiny minority in UKIP. However, had they shown the same level of energy in scrutinising Labour and Conservative candidates, they would find much worse. Maybe they would have the guts to point out the paedophile Lib Dem candidates or the fact that Ed Balls wore a Nazi uniform once.

I know this demeans me, but I feel forced to boast a bit in order to quash the other fallacies in your statement:

– I am not “thick”, I am a member of Mensa. I am currently teaching calculus and quantum mechanics to my son for his A levels.

A UKIP colleague of mine is a physicist with a good degree from Cambridge.

– “Soup eating fringe dweller“: Hmmm difficult to argue against that accusation. OK, I admit it, I enjoy the occasional bowl of Heinz tomato soup and even some mulligatawny and I suppose UKIP are outside the established, incestuous, Westmincer bubble, and so deemed to be “Fringe”. Ok you got us on that one.

Maybe you spend too little time talking to normal people like I have done, and maybe you spend too much time sitting in your armchair lapping up every lefty sentiment coming from the BBC and their ilk.

All the best,

A Tasty Kipper

Fat Steve May 5, 2014 at 7:10 am

@ Tasty Kipper –a witty nom de guerre —- and “unsavoury latter day Nazi’s, thick racist morons and soup eating fringe-dwelling fruitcakes“ is not really a million miles from claiming Savile who groomed a nation and was the Country’s worst paedophile with more than a thousand victims with more to come forward —sweeping generalisations and memorable, if not entirely accurate, sound bites that give a certain comforting feeling of moral rectitude and being on the ‘right side with the right values” to those who utter and repeat them –but perhaps personal moral rectitude might be better achieved by looking for the objective truth—a rather tougher course to take than subjective invective.—– and yes I have never thought before of the link between Mark Oaten, Jeremy Thorpe, Mike Handcock and Cyril Smith amongst others —perhaps because all politicians always seem the same whatever their party —perhaps unsurprisingly its was the lib dems who recently laid claim to doing God’s work —‘the right side with the right values’ —the same as Board members of Goldman Sachs. As much as I would like to think the mainstream parties might wise up to where they are going wrong I think the odds on that happening are slim to non existent and so for the little its worth I rather suspect UKIP is going to do rather well. Shame (?) on me for rather looking forward to that coz I am not sure I wouldn’t prefer the mainstream parties to wise up

Frankie May 5, 2014 at 9:20 pm

Oh dear…
I seem to have touched a nerve, or a couple of nerves. The facts of the matter are these:

Mr. Farage has attempted to distance himself from some of the madder UKIP policies, but the fact remains that they were dreamed up by UKIP activists and no amount of strident protests that UKIPPERS are not “unsavoury latter day Nazi’s, thick racist morons and soup eating fringe-dwelling fruitcakes“ will change those facts. How else would you classify some of the Neo-Nazi nonsense that many UKIP activists would wish to adopt?

Perhaps my critics could get someone to read the contents of the following articles to them – then they may understand what aligning oneself with such people really means. There is plenty of other evidence out there if they care to look.

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/02/ukip-party-bigots-lets-look-evidence

and

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jan/23/the-ukip-politices-disowned-by-nigel-farage

Fat Steve May 6, 2014 at 9:05 am

Well Frankie I don’t know about others but you touched no nerves in me. I took your comments for what I saw them to be —something of an overstatement of a point which probably has some substance but in my opinion not quite as much as you believe it to have —again I will use the Savile analogy to make my point —-I personally never found what Savile had to offer to Society particularly attractive and could never quite identify with his persona—he was in a manner of speaking ‘not my bag’ —–but that is to rather miss the point which I think he did have something to offer to Society in the times he lived in which I suspect was positive. To try now to dismiss him with invective when evidence is not there (so far as I know) —-to paint an overly simplistic picture captured in a sound bite is not really to do other than gloss over what he had to offer. I am not sure I am prepared to accept what Farage has to offer as seen through the prism of the New Statesman or the Guardian since I think those prisms are selective and heighten certain aspects of the spectrum and exclude others –possibly magnifying them beyond their real intensity. I don’t doubt UKIP has to be carefully watched for certain aspects of its policies……..but then so to do the mainstream parties …..and so should Savile have been in his life since he was influential …….I just happen to think Savile was scrutinised in his lifetime and all this ‘grooming a nation’ for covert sexual purposes is probably nonsense …..and so I tend to think is UKIP as Nazis. Selective overstatement is a dangerous thing —in case its believed or in case its shown to be untrue —in both cases it destroys things of value —the chance to identify and address issues of genuine concerns that need to be addressed. Its adversarial in the worst subjective sense of that concept —-me and my opinion —–rather than it and what is its objective value. Gotta say for many UKIP has objective value —voicing genuine concerns that the mainstream parties have ignored. Had they not then of course UKIP just wouldn’t have gotten off the ground.

Frankie May 6, 2014 at 10:07 pm: I think you may well be right about Sir James Wilson Vincent ‘Jimmy’ Savile OBE KCMG…

I dislike the diminution of the name as much as I dislike the condemnation of the man without the evidence to back the allegations up (although he was a very odd bloke and decidedly creepy in the extreme).

I suggest the same degree of forensic scrutiny should be applied to the policies of UKIP…

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Ian R Thorpe May 4, 2014 at 6:59 pm

I remember Julie Christie as Bathsheba …. but then I’m a man.

Nige has made the right call on Newark I think, his stated reasons were politicians bullshit but even focusing entirely on the campaign he would have little chance of overturning a 16,000 majority. Best to do well in the Euro elections and build on that perhaps.

Ho Hum May 4, 2014 at 7:54 pm

Trying to address the issue a bit more seriously than so far, my main worry about the likes of UKIP – it’s a general concern rather than specific to them in particular – is that the history of populist political entities which ride to sudden power on a wave of ‘anti something’ sentiment is that they tend to usher in a rather nasty group of individuals, whose commitment to what this august little discussion group might consider to be civilised behaviour is somewhat tenuous. The revolutionary democratic outcome is often a state which is more harsh and authoritarian than whatever preceded it, with a programme of activity which most had never anticipated as possible within their moral framework, and the only hope that often then remains of restoring some sort of reasonable government depends on the will of the nation’s Armed Forces, that being dependent on the extent to which they sympathise, have been bought, or subborned

I doubt if old Nigel is half the looney he is made out to be, but in practice the real loonies normally get on and shoot their reasonable figureheads, and those of their members who show any qualms, or have some respect for legal niceties, first

What is almost beyond understanding is why the present establishment, the Westminster Bubble, seems to think that they can continue to flout the general discontent of so many, other than that most past rotten establishments seem to have blundered on in ignorance, or fond hope, until they have found themselves on the gallows, the guillotine, or rotting in the tender care of the Gulag

So, while I desperately abhor the thought of the MilliCamCleggites continuing to run things as is, I am not convinced that the bunch who meet down the pub on Tuesday evenings are a better bet.

Cascadian May 4, 2014 at 8:44 pm

An unconvincing argument.

One might suggest that the denizens of the Raccoon Arms are indeed “the bunch who meet down the pub on Tuesday evenings”. I would further suggest that British politics would be far better served by such a group in Parliament.

Now perhaps I should resume my efforts to draft the Engineer as the future Chancellor of the Exchequer.

You have nothing to fear, but fear itself.

Ho Hum May 4, 2014 at 10:06 pm

I don’t know enough about the Tuesday night mob to be sure whether they would be better serving in Parliament or McDonalds. I’d rather see some sort of track record before placing my little ‘x’, thanks. And I’m not much of a fan of political groups that meet up in Beer Halls anyway

Aside from that, I thought that the Raccoonites were those jolly nice people who meet up on Fridays. And Saturdays. And so on..

Cascadian May 4, 2014 at 10:40 pm

You make my point, perhaps Parliament needs rather more members who have served in McDonalds, but the point about looking for candidates with a track record requires exploration. A track record in the workforce or a track record as an Oxford PPE and political flunkie with no world experience? We all know what is on offer from the “established” parties with their pre-selected candidates, how could a change to potential candidates who might actually live in the locality and might just emulate former MP’s from the mines, labouring classes and even a grocers daughter be a bad thing?

Ho Hum May 4, 2014 at 11:12 pm

Ok, I agree we want neither flunkies or professional toadies, but, on the other hand:

If you’re looking for an accountant, will someone who demonstrates that they know how to use a calculator do?

If you want a chiropodist, would you let someone loose on your feet if they told you they had experience selling shoes.

What do you know about Cross faith issues, harmony and understanding? You worked in the local kebab shop and practise ju ju? We’ve been praying for someone like you to turn up

Want to be an ambassador? You went to Greece for your holidays? Just the ticket! No no, the country pays for you to get there…

Or would you employ someone with a non relevant CV? I’d imagine if you did, your employer would soon be suggesting that you dusted down your own

OK, OTT, but you should get the point

Cascadian May 4, 2014 at 11:29 pm

I suspect we agree more than disagree, but your “other hand” examples are extreme.

You seem to be hoping for the “perfect” candidate, my assumption is that person does not exist and I am willing to give the honest striver who has some world experience a chance. We have tried the professional politicians with PPE’s – they are a freaking disaster! Yet the established parties continue their arrogant parachuting of “qualified” candidates into constituencies.

To minimize the problem of odd-ball or plain unqualified candidates it is necessary to join the party and get involved with the process of local candidate selection. That is obviously not achievable at this late date in the EU vote-perhaps that is your point.

Phew this is thirsty work. Fancy a pint?

Ho Hum May 4, 2014 at 11:56 pm

You’re probably right about our not being too far apart. My age and cynicism may be showing just a little

A pint? Sounds good, but there we might just be too far apart, if your name and political interests match up, so while, at a guess, it may be 4.50 pm in Vancouver and adjacent longitudes, it’s 00.50 here, and at an hour further ahead, 01.50, I think even the landlady might have called ‘Time’. Whatever, I’m afraid need some sleep

A pity really, but have one on me, anyway

Cascadian May 5, 2014 at 3:45 am: The Raccoon Arms has its advantages, but it cannot overcome the virtual aspect of its existence. As always, I am a day late (well 9 hours anyway) and a dollar short.

I will resolve the problem by following your excellent advice, by toasting your good health, and drinking two pints. As you say-a pity really.

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Dave May 5, 2014 at 9:56 am

Ho Hum wrote- “I doubt if old Nigel is half the looney he is made out to be, but in practice the real loonies normally get on and shoot their reasonable figureheads, and those of their members who show any qualms, or have some respect for legal niceties, first”

Ah yes. remember the old GLC elections back in the day. Labour won it with a reasonable looking and sounding leader. Once the election was won, they fixed the rules so they had a further election to choose their leader. Mr reasonable was defenestrated and Ken Livingstone installed. And we all know what happened then.
And didn’t Kilroy-Silk hook up with UKIP when he got turfed of his TV show? He didn’t last long. Which gives me hope that UKIP can prevent it happening again.

binao May 5, 2014 at 10:10 am

I can’t believe for a moment that Mr Farage considered Newark. Why take the risk in a constituency he has no connection with, to fail, or at best to take part in a parliament that has already ceased to function in preparation for the 2015 election?. A waste of time and a diversion at a time when his personal presence in the European elections is probably vital.
Even so, given the minimal apparent powers of the European Parliament, except as a source of a good pay packet & allowances, I do wonder what all the fuss is about.
I’m not a Kipper, but I do have serious concerns about the path the eu is set on, I think it will end badly and be nasty for us, in or out. Unlike our political class, I have at least lived and worked a bit on the mainland and elsewhere, but what could I possibly know?
As for Dave & Ed, they seem more like innocent passengers on the eu train than national politicians, but never underestimate the support that’s available to the main parties from their own party machines, and the media, including the Brussels Broadcasting Corporation.
But then I’m a bit prejudiced.

Judd May 6, 2014 at 8:07 am

The last few weeks/months have been marvellous, watching the establishment falling over themselves to outinsult (that should be a word) UKIP, and then swiftly backpedalling and then back again, headless chickens.

Each and every mole hill cum mountain has resulted in shooting themselves in the foot.

When the cabal of trouser fillers club together so dramatically, and shout yah boo via their bought and paid for media, you just know that they’ve reached the point of panic, its been hilarious to watch, quite how Farage keeps a straight face i’m buggered if i know, i’d be on the floor laughing mesen silly every time another two barrels are discharged straight into their own toes.

The establishment are so far removed from the common man or woman that they have failed completely to understand the British mindset…we do not like bullies and we will do everything we can to make their lives miserable…by all means argue fairly, thats the way we do it here by proving your point and the other person wrong, their jibes insults and innuendo coming as it is thick and fast from all established sides only re-inforces our justified distrust of them with each and every word.

Newark was never on the cards, i’m convinced Farage was only winding the blighters when he vaguely expressed the possibility, as he does, then sits back smirking as they fall over themselves to recruit more UKIP voters for them.
Whatever he decided over Newark he was going to be criticised for, good, more publicity.

Following the results of the council elections (and Eastleigh) i noticed UKIPs coverage on national media almost vanished for a while, i presumed they’d collaborated and decided to starve UKIP of publicity…but the ball is rolling and we’re back to massive coverage again, brilliant stuff.
As said above, we are seeing history in the making, things will never be the same again, its been a long time coming and the country will never fully recover from the last 40 years.

We’re under no illusions that Farage wears his pants outside his trousers, but he’s so different from the mould of the indentikit politician of the three cheeks parties that they don’t know what to do with him, superb.
Whilst they concentrate on attacking the leader, who seems to relish in it, the rest of the party machine learns and grows in the shadows.

My only concern is that as the establishment reaches critical panic point that Farage doesn’t suffer an ”accident”, wouldn’t put anything past them, he needs to beef up his security, not from unwashed egg throwers either.

binao May 11, 2014 at 10:24 am

A tenuous link, I know.
BBC today saying that Cameron is ‘bullish about eu negotiations’.
Obviously too many Guardian readers at the BBC.
They haven’t noticed the missing ‘t’.

binao May 15, 2014 at 7:22 am

Absolutely no political affiliations myself, but I was struck by Nick Robinson’s confused BBC splash ‘Immigration – what flood?’.
Making the point, not quite clear what it is though, that in the first quarter of 2013, only 112,000 Romanians & Bulgarians came to Britain.
I accept that NR is presenting personal comment/opinion, which is a world away from the balanced and unbiased reporting of facts, but maybe at election time we should have a month of silence from his kind until votes are counted.
Or better, just stop indulging these Westminster suck ups at the license payers’ expense?
Just a view and I do have my own prejudices too.