General Chat

I maintain they are a fly in the ointment - they've made the other parties sit up and take notice at long last

But why a fly in the ointment?
The result wasn't totally unexpected and it is interesting to note that the other parties are holding their hands up in horror because they didn't do as well as they misguidedly thought they might. As is often the case in modern society, they are too quick to blame others instead of looking at, and evaluating, themselves.
We live in a democratic society with democratic elections. That's surely the whole point. The people voted for the parties they wanted to vote for.
To describe UKIP as a "fly in the ointment" is somewhat unjust - look at the results across Europe!

PS glad to see my posts have been reinstated.

You're right Ann. In previous elections the Lib Dem party might have attracted protest votes. Now that they form part of the government coalition, they are not an option.

Lets remember that the turn-out was, according to the BBC on line, only 34.19%. Probably 90% of the people who did bother get their information from flyers or the media. Its unlikely that any one party will get 100% support from its voters for all of its policies. As members of the electorate we have to decide which Party ticks most of our boxes.

In this instance UKIP's highlighted policies appealed to a lot of people. Although I didn't vote for them, I was sorely tempted.

Although UKIP’s success in the recent elections has delivered a sharp kick up the backside to the three main political parties, I don’t think for one minute that this will mean, that the three main parties will get the message that the electorate wants to see changes.

I would not place a bet on any of the current three main political parties changing direction, well except during the period running up to the general election, the Conservatives will try to show they are a caring party by dishing out sweetners, Labour will promise perpetual sunshine, and the Liberal Democrats will try to show they are still a powerful force and true to their core beliefs.

Whatever party wins the General Election, the moment the winner is announced, it will be back to business as usual, I say that because, as interviews with numerous senior politicians after the recent elections show, senior politicians of all three main political parties have their heads - stuffed full of their own egotistical views, so far up their backsides, none of them could distinguish daylight from darkness.

It could be argued that the coalition was quite a clever, forward thinking move on the part of the Conservative party.

But not clever, forward thinking move on the part of the Liberal Democrats :-D

Precisely.

It is always a good idea to have a scapegoat or someone you can blame your own failures, inadequacies and shortcomings on.

it's the way of the world sadly - people blaming others for their own failings

Absolutely :)

The trouble with today's political leaders is summed up in one word, that word is "TRUST" and a very large number of those people eligible to vote, just do not trust today's politicians.

They say they will do one thing and do the opposite, they say they have taken on board people's concerns and will address them - but ignore them. they say they understand how the cost of living affects peoples lives - when they themselves have never had a problem funding their own life style.

Personally I believe that the last political leader that the people of this country had any faith in, one they felt they could trust, and one they believed could change the politics of greed and self-importance, was John Smith, he was in my book, the last statesman in British politics.

I think Farage missed an opportunity he could have seized.

Instead of crowing after the election (there are plenty of photographs of him pulling silly faces and in daft poses) he could have capitalised on his perceived popularity.

If UKIP wish to be taken seriously and be considered a genuine alternative then they have to realise that it is not a game played in the dorm or refectory.

OFiTG I totally agree John Smith,was in my book too the last statesman in British politics.