Your voice in Europe, your vote on May 25th

[Janet]

It could be that it's a protest vote, of course that's a possibility, but I'm not getting that impression. I think the problem from the main parties' perspective has been that although there have been embarrassing incidents for UKIP, the main parties' attacks, and that of the press, on UKIP has backfired. Rather than the public seeing UKIP through fresh eyes, all they seem to have seen is a "minor" party under attack from the big boys, and a party, moreover, that sounds more human, and in touch ...

They'll forgive or overlook - for the moment - the racist comments, or nutjobs, and give the benefit of the doubt on the basis that it could be manufactured lies, or an aberration ...

[Michael]

Well, Farage does sound more human than the rest of them, but the interesting fact is how many scandals there have been in recent weeks about the less pleasant members of the party which have apparently failed to dent their standings in the polls.

I think the great British public recognise a smear job when they see one. Maybe like me they're wondering why our wonderful press weren't publicising the nutters whenever they were Tories?

There's the possibility of a protest vote over here as well only for different reasons.

We've got terrorists in government and the unionist religious nutter dinosaurs that we've had for decades haven't a pair of balls between them so it could be interesting.

[Pete]

Current changes in councillors (as at 1:58am as according to BBC News):
Labour +3 (91)
Tory -20 (75)
UKIP +23 (23)
LibDm -6 (9)

I'm definitely getting a protest-vote feeling because it's almost a one for one Tory for UKIP.

[Janet]

And we're still waiting for the Euro election vote ... which is the really interesting thing as far as UKIP votes are concerned (and what the thread is about  )

[Michael]

When is it expected? I understand it doesn't come until all votes are counted within the EU.

[Guanche]

Sunday evening I think Michael.

[Janet]

oh what? Sunday? 

[Guanche]

In fact the full result won't be in until Monday!!! They can't even start counting intill the last EU state has finished voting and that seems to be Italy on Sunday evening. All I can say is FFS!!

On a slightly different note, wouldn't if be interesting if the EU had a stand alone vote. I have no doubt the only reason most people vote on the EU is because most are voting for local elections at the same time. So 'While I'm here I might as well vote' may play its part? I think I'm correct is saying the turn out in the UK was 36%? I think it would be significantly less if the EU had to stand alone for election.

[Janet]

I agree, and which, from my perspectives, bodes very well for any referendum ... I need the UK to stay in ...

[Guanche]

I agree Janet I do think it would be a mistake in the long term to leave. However the EU and its institutions need a massive kick up the arse. It really need to be brought under control. Their arrogance is breath taking considered that the majority of their upper echelon is totally undemocratic as its so far removed from the electorate as it possibly can be.