Ukip - why are they gaining support?

[Coolfonz]

I think these votes actually produce some opportunities for other (non-UKIP) political parties. And that even includes groups like TUSC and Left Unity (who should merge as an aside).

I'm speaking broadly here okay. You can quite easily see that UKIP have gained most in areas which are - or see themselves as - traditional working class areas, yes with aspirations or not, as I said I'm speaking broadly. But generally from those people who bought the Tory line after 1979. They gave up/turned their back on a wider society, employee rights and so on - which they had liked after WW2 - in return for rising wages, the ability to own housing, cheaper consumer goods and other material benefits. Notably Essex, parts of the midlands, parts of Yorkshire. It's not an unreasonable exchange in a lot of cases. I have plenty of people I regard as friends like that and they aren't bad folk. I'm not really any different apart from my politics. I like flat screens, a decent car and all that shit.

Then 2007-2009 robbed them of that. And they are pissed off.

So not only are they getting shit(ter) council services, packed hospitals, over subscribed schools, poor job security, less employment (for the self employed) and unemployment they get rising prices simultaneously with non-index linked pensions and falling wages.

So there is an opportunity for any political party to talk to those people, directly. UKIP have done so with its narrative. Many of the left parties (if one includes the Greens as well) just will not talk to them.

Even online when I have said to other leftists `if you can't explain our policies to a room full of UKIP voters what are we doing` I've been told to fuck off and join them. It seems weird to me. Leftists saying these peole are mad/bigots/senile etc. Instead left people are writing diatribes on the arrest of Gerry Adams, the universal wage, "open borders," the IPCC and all the other tangential subjects (which are important on their day, don't get me wrong) which simply ignore what these folks are concerned about.

Despite all this shit going on UKIP are polling ~25pc of a ~36pc turnout. There is an opportunity here...

 

[juice_terry]

UKIP managed to gain 4 seats on my local council (Maidstone) it was interesting to see that 3 of the 4 wards were predominantly working class areas and the 4th an affluent area. Maidstone council now in no overall control with Tories holding most seats (29) , Lib Dems with 19, Independents with 5 to UKIP's 4 and Labour's 2.

 

[taffboy gwyrdd]

http://bilgewatch.wordpress.com/2014/05/23/ukip-hype-whats-next/

 

[Fozzie Bear]

mainstream media (MSM)

 

[CNT36]

Should people really be smug about the fact around 1 in 14 people in "London's diverse multicultural society" found UKIP attractive?

UKIP have tried to explain away their 7% vote in London by claiming that they were the victims of "more media-savvy, well-educated population".

Given that many of Britain's poorest boroughs are in London - such as Tower Hamlets, Newham and Hackney - this arguement simply doesn't wash.

More realistically, London's diverse multicultural society simply didn't find UKIP attractive.

From Hope not Hate.

 

[treelover]

Winston McKenzie looks suitably bonkers

He is just on PM going on about the "cry of racism" is overused and abused, loudly and aggressively.

 

[frogwoman]

Someone on fb is contemplating leaving the uk because of ukip! Apparently all the clever people are going to leave the country in 10 years and the brain drain means 'well get more like Eastern Europe' so classism, misogyny and now racism?

 

[CNT36]

Someone on fb is contemplating leaving the uk because of ukip! Apparently all the clever people are going to leave the country in 10 years and the brain drain means 'well get more like Eastern Europe'

I had one of them. People like that made me consider voting UKIP. Them and fucking Newsthump.

 

[Manter]

He is just on PM going on about the "cry of racism" is overused and abused, loudly and aggressively.

he sounds utterly insane tbh

 

[Gingerman]

he sounds utterly insane tbh

Wasn't he a boxer? Too many punches to the head probably....

 

[Treacle Toes]

I had one of them. People like that made me consider voting UKIP. Them and fucking Newsthump.

You are joking right? People behaving bonkers and saying daft things Do pagans make you want to join the Catholic church?

 

[treelover]

Gingerman

I think you may be right.

 

[frogwoman]

It actually pisses me off because on one hand they are going on about ukips racism but being really racist themselves, I know many people from eastern europe, there are other reasons why someone would want to stay there apart from being thick, usually because they cannot afford to move, often because the beloved EU in the case of Serbia, Moldova, etc, makes it extremely difficult to move there, often simply because all their family are there, not because they are thick ffs

 

[frogwoman]

Thing is that a load of people I usually respect are taking this sort of sneering line, I knew I was right to stay off Facebook and twitter most of today

 

[Treacle Toes]

Thing is that a load of people I usually respect are taking this sort of sneering line, I knew I was right to stay off Facebook and twitter most of today

Steer clear Froggy...it's pollution and for sure you will see the utter worst of some people.

 

[frogwoman]

Steer clear Froggy...it's pollution and for sure you will see the utter worst of some people.

They're meant to be on our side.. This is in some cases SP members/anarchist saying this stuff.

 

[frogwoman]

Steer clear Froggy...it's pollution and for sure you will see the utter worst of some people.

There was another one who said all ukip voters should be killed as a joke, had people who usually go mad at anything like that defending it because its 'just a parody' as if jokes don't play a role in creating culture

 

[Treacle Toes]

They're meant to be on our side.. This is in some cases SP members/anarchist saying this stuff.

Yeah I hear ya, utterly contradictory and depressing/disapointing. I feel the same way when I see/hear so called anti -fash using expressions like Uncle Tom or Coconut.

 

[Treacle Toes]

There was another one who said all ukip voters should be killed as a joke, had people who usually go mad at anything like that defending it because its 'just a parody' as if jokes don't play a role in creating culture

Yeah, parody being used as an excuse to be a cunt.

 

[frogwoman]

Yeah, parody being used as an excuse to be a cunt.

The person who was defending it on these grounds is one of the first people who goes mental about intersectionality and any 'wrong' use of language usually

 

[Treacle Toes]

The person who was defending it on these grounds is one of the first people who goes mental about intersectionality and any 'wrong' use of language usually

So either nail them or stay away.

 

[frogwoman]

So either nail them or stay away.

I couldn't really be arsed with a fight. They were complaining that ukip were saying that someone who had tweeted that all ukip voters should be killed as a joke was given a job at the BBC, should not be given a job. To be honest I don't think they should, because it a) helps ukip and b) is deeply inappropriate. I know people who have voted for them in the past ffs.

 

[goldenecitrone]

Interesting interview on BBC. Why one man is voting for UKIP.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27543012
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27543012

 

[Manter]

Thing is that a load of people I usually respect are taking this sort of sneering line, I knew I was right to stay off Facebook and twitter most of today

Interesting that UKIP have managed to frame the debate, though, so all criticism of them is sneering. Not excusing the above, but they have cornered a 'I'm just a simple man and what I know is....' Narrative. So anyone who points out they have no policies, the economics doesn't work, leaving the EU isn't a magic solution to all problems real and imagined is accused of being establishment, part of the old way of doing things, patronising etc. Similar to the tea party in the US, it appears

 

[frogwoman]

Interesting that UKIP have managed to frame the debate, though, so all criticism of them is sneering. Not excusing the above, but they have cornered a 'I'm just a simple man and what I know is....' Narrative. So anyone who points out they have no policies, the economics doesn't work, leaving the EU isn't a magic solution to all problems real and imagined is accused of being establishment, part of the old way of doing things, patronising etc. Similar to the tea party in the US, it appears

Are you serious?

 

[frogwoman]

Interesting that UKIP have managed to frame the debate, though, so all criticism of them is sneering. Not excusing the above, but they have cornered a 'I'm just a simple man and what I know is....' Narrative. So anyone who points out they have no policies, the economics doesn't work, leaving the EU isn't a magic solution to all problems real and imagined is accused of being establishment, part of the old way of doing things, patronising etc. Similar to the tea party in the US, it appears

That's the thing, obviously this narrative works in their favour, but I don't think it is them that started it. And I don't think that saying that if a party (criticized for being racist) gets power all the clever people are gonna leave and well get like Eastern Europe, or that all ukip voters should be killed is remotely OK tbh. And I fucking hate farage and ukip, but this content less and downright offensive sneering is going on.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

I've seen and heard loads of people in my networks from all sorts of backgrounds criticising UKIP - and the BBC for their ludicrous and relentless promotion of them - and none of them have been snobbish. Maybe I'm just lucky there.

 

[SpineyNorman]

This might be a good time/place to post this

 

[Manter]

That's the thing, obviously this narrative works in their favour, but I don't think it is them that started it. And I don't think that saying that if a party (criticized for being racist) gets power all the clever people are gonna leave and well get like Eastern Europe, or that all ukip voters should be killed is remotely OK tbh. And I fucking hate farage and ukip, but this content less and downright offensive sneering is going on.

No, you've misunderstood. What I said is 'not excusing the above'... Saying all clever people will leave or whatever is just unpleasant. But I was attempting to make a point about their self positioning as a political party of the misunderstood underdog.

 

[Manter]

I've seen and heard loads of people in my networks from all sorts of backgrounds criticising UKIP - and the BBC for their ludicrous and relentless promotion of them - and none of them have been snobbish. Maybe I'm just lucky there.

Ditto, but I've also seen others claim they are being snobbish- one exchange ended with an enthusiastic UKIP supporter who is in Hull and delighted that they now have a UKIP counsellor saying that the criticiser of UKIP couldn't possibly understand her concerns as he wasn't looking at losing his job to a foreigner, and he was alright so turning his back on his roots. With more swearing and posturing.

And the above woman's husband has been incandescent about the #whyi'mvotingukip tweets, calling them snobby, stupid and stuck up yesterday. I thought some of them were clever and funny <<shrugs>>