Lawrie Boxall

The other reason why UKIP does not connect with the voters (other than being a single issue party that is) is because it has created for itself the image of a far right party - specifically the right wing rump of the Tory party which is destined never to hold power again.

None of the candidates seriously addresses this problem except perhaps Bannerman who says he will pay for research to understand what the votrs think of UKIP. Since he says he has spent 23 years in politics you would expect him to already know the answer unless he has spent that time with his head stuck firmly in the sand. Perhaps he is not a quick learner. His idea to make the UKIP brand stronger by focusing on the word independence is not sustainable - that task will require much more magination. His idea about protecting what he calls strategic UK companies is just plain silly.

Certainly having a leader like Farage wil only reinforce the problem. Having read the dreadful "message from Nigel Farage" in which he offers absolutely no change from the past and admits he has belatedly realised there is is huge vacuum in British politics, I very much hope he wil fail in his leadership bid.

What is most laughable about Nigel's meagre no-change prospectus is that having noticed there is a vacuum, he is daft enough to think a pin-striped Tory like him could possibly fill it. Ha ha ha Nigel very funny.

None of the candidates gives me much hope I have to say. Noakes' ideas about the EU are far too simplistic - just tell the truth he says - surely he must realise the electorate is sophisticated enough to know there is more than 1 version of the truth. UKIP's task is to offer a better alternative not give the voters a history lesson.

Suchorzewski - is another Tory - but I hope he is someone capable of listening and learning. Even changing. I am superficially attracted to ideas of small L liberalism, but I don't think this is something the voters will buy if the other side of that coin is poorer public services and cutbacks in public spending in health, education and helping the underpiveleged.

douglas denny

As I recall from history lessons: --

Waterloo was a staggeringly good result for us ........ and our general -

Arthur Welsley - The Duke of Wellington did a very good job .......

DED.

Niall Warry

Don't be a fool Denny you know very well what was meant. The current UKIP hierarchy , who you so loyally support without question, have had their day and failed. They need to hand over the party to a new leader to take the party in a new direction.

michael mcgough

t"hey need to hand over the party to a new leader to take the party in a new direction."

Not in the same direction as Floorcoverings International (uk) Ltd., I hope!

John Page

A nation yawns.

Peacehammer

Or should that be dawns?

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