The assumption that UKIP is gaining in popularity because of its policies on immigration and Europe has been undermined by new polling.
The assumption that UKIP is gaining in popularity because of its policies on immigration and Europe has been undermined by recent Lord Ashcroft polling.
The research shows that, rather than hard-line policies on immigration and Europe attracting voters, it actually has more to do with the Farage factor.
Lord Ashcroft’s poll findings show that, out of those willing to consider voting for the right-wing Eurosceptic party, only 7 per cent saw the statement “UKIP is the best party on defending Britons interests in Europe” as the most important factor when deciding whether to vote for the party.
Voters instead attached more importance to the phrase “UKIP’s heart is in the right place” (19 per cent saw this as most important), and “UKIP is on the side of people like me” (18 per cent most important).
These findings contradict, at least in part, the idea that UKIP’s rising popularity is a cue for the three major parties to tack to the right.
It does, however, perhaps illustrate one thing Nigel Farage: acting more like a normal human being and less like an automaton. The three main party leaders could perhaps learn from this.
20 Responses to “The Farage factor, rather than right wing policy, is winning UKIP votes”
emptyend
There is no doubt that UKIP are attractive because, basically, they don’t treat the electorate as idiots.
Contrast the LibDems – who come over all Liberal (guilty until proven innocent etc) on 99% of issues – until it comes to Lord Rennard, where they seem to apply the reverse.
Or Miliband – railing against the banks for the umpteenth time in the mistaken belief that it is popular to keep kicking one of the few British success stories in the nuts and trying to bleed it dry to fund every hare-brained idea he can think of….whilst simultaneously trying to stop it competing on a level playing field for its staff so that the taxpayer has a fighting chance of recouping his/her money.
Or Cameron – who is happy to blow this way or that in an attempt to curry favour on any issue.
No – UKIP and Farage are polling well because they are the sensible choice with sensible policies – and are run by straight-talking people. Thats why I’m voting for them next time.
jabberwocky12
The Farage factor
a most impressive politician,in most respects
he is gaining support all over the place for many reasons
mainly i suspect for his plain speaking ..and solid policies and ideas
he does not mask his speeches in the usual cloud of smoke and mirrors adopted by other politicians..i believe what you see and hear is what your going to get …in the most part.
he seems never to engage in the …typical house of commons banter ..and if he WAS a member of parliament i suspect he would be like a breath of fresh air…and verbally beat the hell out of them …without notes.
Garth Banks
Which idiot is the Bertie Wooster type, I am confused as it may relate to a whole host of politicians?
Daley Gleephart
The answer is in the headline above the article.
Cole
‘Straight talking’? I’d say lazy, greedy and hypocritical. UKIP claim to be against the EU, but their MEPs happily pocket a salary of £80,000 a year but rarely turn up to work. They’ve claimed £800,000 in expenses since the last election, and some of them, eg Farage, have their relatives on the payroll. All paid for by we taxpayers, as you’d expect.