[MTVN]

I think they might be able to work together better at a grassroots level where there's probably quite a lot of overlap in the support bases with the old school small c conservatives. Nationally though I can't see it, the Tory leadership have done a lot to try and portray an image of progressive conservatism with UKIP would destroy, and there's still a lot of animosity no doubt between party leaders. I think a lot of Conservative cabinet members would be very averse to the prospect of uniting with UKIP, particularly the more moderate Tories like Ken Clarke. The thing with UKIP as well is that a lot of their policies are hard line enough that I don't think they'd be willing to compromise on them and I don't think they'd be able to reconcile themselves with the Conservative leadership

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I think they might be able to work together better at a grassroots level where there's probably quite a lot of overlap in the support bases with the old school small c conservatives. Nationally though I can't see it, the Tory leadership have done a lot to try and portray an image of progressive conservatism with UKIP would destroy, and there's still a lot of animosity no doubt between party leaders. I think a lot of Conservative cabinet members would be very averse to the prospect of uniting with UKIP, particularly the more moderate Tories like Ken Clarke. The thing with UKIP as well is that a lot of their policies are hard line enough that I don't think they'd be willing to compromise on them and I don't think they'd be able to reconcile themselves with the Conservative leadership

It has been described on the news today as a non starter and I think that will be the case too.

[Kizzy]

Oh I understand you have joey and anyone who really studied the projection of where the country will end up in real terms following the current path would too if they chose to.
I don't mean the individual party spokespeople or the personal opinions of party members, but the underlying ethos and ideology of the two seem to me inextricably linked based mainly on the attitude towards business.

[Shaun]

why is the big news UKIP's gains when Labour's were far bigger

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Shaun

why is the big news UKIP's gains when Labour's were far bigger

Because UKIP are not being subjected to a media blackout?...

Here we have it in a nutshell, the appeal of UKIP is from the 'oi oi' brigade.

'UKIP made its greatest gains in Essex, where Margaret Thatcher once identified the "Essex Man", a man who moved out of London, once voted Labour but switched to the Tories.'

[MTVN]

UKIP's gains proportionately are far bigger though, at this stage in the last elections they had one council seat, now they already have 94

[arista]

Originally Posted by Shaun

why is the big news UKIP's gains when Labour's were far bigger

Labour MPs round on 'weird' Miliband
after gaffe-prone campaign
fails to build momentum for the general election
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-election.html



Utter Bliss

[MTVN]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-27532746

Amazing

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by MTVN

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-27532746

Amazing

[Kizzy]

20
-10
Con
37
+5
Lab
2
-1
LD
0
0
Green
0
0
UKIP
19
+6
NOC

Results looking great so far.

[Tregard]

How I wish Green had become the "protest" vote, so to speak :/

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Tregard

How I wish Green had become the "protest" vote, so to speak :/

Yes it should have been I guess due to the changes afoot with regard to fracking.... everyone seems to have forgotten about that for now.

[Shaun]

drove past a UKIP billboard this morning with milliband, cameron & clegg crossed out (they're not going to give europe its voice back, iirc) and then someone had done a hitler 'tash on farage's face couldn't tell if it was a defaced UKIP ad or a genuine anti-UKIP one

[Kizzy]

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/...esults-updated

[Livia]

Originally Posted by MTVN

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-27532746

Amazing

Despite all this people are still voting for them in their droves. Imagine if UKIP ever get their act together... it's a petty scary thought.

[Kizzy]

They won't as at the root of everything they stand for there is prejudice and that is becoming increasingly evident.

[Kizzy]

wowee that's a big jump!

24
-11
C
50
+4
Lab
5
-1
LD
0
0
Green
0
0
UKIP
22
+8
NOC

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Shaun

why is the big news UKIP's gains when Labour's were far bigger

I agree with that.
For some reason it was expected that Labour should gain 400 to 500 seats.
Rarely in local elections are targets achieved,it still amazes me that such targets are assumed.
I said a few days ago,for me a fair result for Labour would be to gain 200 seats and the Conservatives lose 200.
I really find it irritating when presenters and experts call UKIP's current 130 approx. gains as significant and Labours near 200 modest.

Labour have with those 'modest gains', gained councils across the Country.
Even with their losses the Conservatives have succeeded in gaining Councils too alongside losing a good number too.
UKIP, have not got in a position anwhere where they are even the largest party on a council yet in these results,they have gained over 100 councillors whose influence on the running of any local athority will overall apart from the odd instance,be non existent.

They have rode in and won some pretty stickers as to these local elections but won nothing of real note yet that changes how Govt. and Councils will be run.
If that is significant then something is sadly and badly wrong somewhere as to analysis.

[GiRTh]

Now that Farage considers his bunch of cronies to be real contenders then we can dig deeper in to their policy('s). At last we can completely open up Ukip and show it for what it really is; expect more charges of racism. Cant wait to see how he's going to defend his bunch of bigots against the full on scrutiny of the media. This should be fun, but not for Farage.

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by GiRTh

Now that Farage considers his bunch of cronies to be real contenders then we can dig deeper in to their policy('s). At last we can completely open up Ukip and show it for what it really is; expect more charges of racism. Cant wait to see how he's going to defend his bunch of bigots against the full on scrutiny of the media. This should be fun, but not for Farage.

^^Well I guess that was one effort to try and hide from reality

[Livia]

Originally Posted by GiRTh

Now that Farage considers his bunch of cronies to be real contenders then we can dig deeper in to their policy('s). At last we can completely open up Ukip and show it for what it really is; expect more charges of racism. Cant wait to see how he's going to defend his bunch of bigots against the full on scrutiny of the media. This should be fun, but not for Farage.

Sadly, I think that to many people supporting UKIP, it just looks like victimisation.

[GiRTh]

Originally Posted by Livia

Sadly, I think that to many people supporting UKIP, it just looks like victimisation.

Maybe to small minded people living in some bygone era that never existed but not to anyone who has a grasp on reality.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by GiRTh

Maybe to small minded people living in some bygone era that never existed but not to anyone who has a grasp on reality.

That kind of sums up many UKIP supporters.

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by GiRTh

Maybe to small minded people living in some bygone era that never existed but not to anyone who has a grasp on reality.

there we go again. an insult and then a moral high ground assumption..


instead of having a pop at a legitimate party why not try and solve some problems, any fool can highlight them?

[GiRTh]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

there we go again. an insult and then a moral high ground assumption..


instead of having a pop at a legitimate party why not try and solve some problems, any fool can highlight them?

Solve problems like Farage is trying to you mean? I'l try and solve issues when he starts trying to solve them and not just making a name for himself like he's doing at the moment.