The Farage factor, rather than right wing policy, is winning UKIP votes

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”

  1. Daley Gleephart

    What’s disturbing is that it is a poll of Labour voters. How anyone, let alone Labour supporters, can be impressed by a Bertie Wooster type layabout with an abysmal track record at the EU is worrying.

  2. Wotcha

    It may not be valid to draw that conclusion about “the Farage factor”. It could be that many voters believe that one of the “mainstream” parties may be “the best party on defending Britons interests in Europe”, but would nevertheless support UKIP as they just want “out”, rather than their interests to be defended.

  3. bob

    “UKIP is the best party on defending Britons interests in Europe
    If that was the question in the poll it was a rigged question,
    UKIP has no interest in defending us in Europe, UKIP wants us out of Europe
    as do the majority of people, Farage is liked because he plain speaks only the truth,
    not duplicitous lies, double meanings and deceit,

  4. Two Bob

    Its the immigration stupid.

  5. RPrior

    Wishful thinking. The UKIP stands aloof for the thinking Consertative voter. Just look at a few of their policy priorities:-

    ● Cut excessive councillors’ allowances and expenses,

    ● Slash excessive pay deals for senior council staff.

    ● Limit the number of high paid council employees.

    ● Cut the councils’ advertising and self promotion budgets.

    ● Build partnerships to reduce costs.

    ● Abolish non essential and politically correct positions & red tape.

    ● Leave the EU and save £53 Million every day.

    ● Drop the EU Landfill Directive.

    ● Control immigration and ease the burden on local services.

    ● Close unnecessary central government departments & quangos.

    ● End wasteful EU and UK subsidies to ‘renewable energy scams’ such as wind turbines and solar farms.

    ● Require all visitors to exhibit adequate health insurance at port of entry.

    ● Make it easier for schools to sack bad teachers.

    ● Reduce bureaucracy in the education system.

    ● Sell unused state owned property and assets.

    ● Tax foreign lorries using British roads.

    ● Oppose EU directives adding artificial and detrimental costs.

    The UKIP manifesto is the sole reason that I would vote for them – Farage may be charismatic compared to Cameron, Clegg and Milliband – but that is NO reason to get my vote.

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