If you were to ask the British public who they think the
most recognisable British politician was in this country, then I’d guess there
would be an argument between Prime Minister David Cameron and Mayor of London
Boris Johnson. You may agree or disagree, or indeed wonder where the
inimitable, tweed wearing, lager-chugging UKIP leader Nigel Farage would place
in such a poll.
Beyond the YouTube videos of his performances in the
European Parliament and appearances on Question Time, the UKIP leader has made
a name for himself in recent years. From taking his party to a second place
finish in the 2009 European elections and a near-victory in the Eastleigh
by-election in 2013, Farage’s star continues to rise. Despite press criticism
about holding an offshore account in the Isle of Man as well as an incident in
an Edinburgh pub, Farage currently upholds the notion of being the Teflon
politician. Beyond Boris, it’s hard to think of anyone as popular.
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| Farage is known to like a cigarette and tipple |
However; while the polls may position UKIP well ahead of
this year’s European elections and next year’s General Election, there remain
questions about UKIP’s party organisation, as well as its ability to create a
coherent communications strategy.
Reports of former BNP members standing as UKIP candidates as
well as MEP Godfrey Bloom getting into hot water over his ‘sluts’ comments have
not only put the party on the front pages for entirely the wrong reasons, it
has highlighted the weakness in its communications and legitimacy as a new
player.
Farage remains an asset, yet at the same time, his dominance
highlights the party’s weakness. When he stood down briefly as party leader in
2009 to be replaced by Lord Pearson, the party failed to generate a coherent
message in the Westminster elections and win any seats. Since his re-election,
the party has been quick to put forward the likes of Paul Nuttall, Gerrard
Batten and Diane James as spokespeople, partly to cover the media demands for
comment, but also to show the party is more than one person. At the start of
the year, Daily Express lead writer Patrick O’Flynn confirmed that he would not
only be standing as an MEP, but is to become its director of communications.
O’Flynn’s experience and pedigree may be welcomed by party
members but does it really resolve anything in the long term? The Express may
sympathise with many of the party’s ideas, but can it be transposed elsewhere?
Will he be able to co-ordinate a clear structure and effective strategy beyond
the EU elections and into 2015?
The problem so far has been that greater success has led to
greater scrutiny. Voters may like the alternative approach of the party and see
them as a vehicle to protest against the traditional big three, but what will
happen when they see their abysmal voting records in Brussels and Strasbourg. Or ask
what their policies are beyond Europe and immigration?
Questions will have to be asked whether politically UKIP’s
poll ratings can be sustained and whether ultimately it can put up a decent
challenge in Westminster. It does not mean that the London-elite should brush
UKIP off. It would be stupid and frankly naïve. Politicians should focus on
their own policies before they make sweeping statements about UKIP.
If O’Flynn and Farage have one target to make real noise, it
won’t just be winning the European elections in May, it will be placing Farage
in the leaders’ debates before 2015. If they can do that, then my word, how it
could reshape the political landscape.
