Anthony Butcher

Sorry, I was playing devil's advocate to state why UKIP might have made that decision.

If I was in UKIP I would probably want them to at least try some negotiations and strike a hard bargain. Afterall, UKIP has the political punch (theoretically) that the others can't touch, which puts it in a strong position. It could pretty much call all the shots.

Britannist

Yes, you are right Anthony - UKIP is in the stronger position than most other 'small' parties - despite what some in one or two of those parties may try to imply on the pages of the forum to the contrary.

UKIP didn't need to talk to the English Democrats at the last EU Election (to reach agreement on avoiding possible vote-splitting) but there is one important difference with the next EU Election (in 2009). That difference being that the UK - and the other large EU nations - will see their representation in the EU 'Parliament' cut in 2009 (with the seats taken from the largest EU nations given to the new EU member states in eastern europe instead). This is going to make it harder for 'small' parties to hold some of their seats and win new ones because with fewer seats (UK representation will be cut from 79 seats in Brussels to 72 in 2009) 'small' parties will need more votes in 2009 just to hold on to the seats they have now in the EU 'Parliament' - let alone win more.

So, every vote counts and the risk of vote splitting between UKIP and the English Democrats at the next EU Election is a very real one (in my view).

Time, I think, for the two parties to discuss if they can perhaps reach some sort of co-operation agreement in at least some of the EU 'regional' constituencies at the next EU Election.

Barboo

Won't that mean neither party qualifies for an election broadcast if they don't put up a slate in every region?

Britannist

That's a good point - I don't know what the rules are on the eligibility to party election broadcasts of an 'alliance' of two parties (i.e. UKIP and the English Democrats) running a joint campaign. Maybe someone needs to look up how things were done in the days of the SDP-Liberal 'Alliance' two decades ago.