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The '''United Kingdom Independence Party''', also known by the acronym '''UKIP''', is a British political party. Founded in 1993, it campaigns for [[British]] withdrawal from the [[European Union]] (EU). Its support-base is made up substantially of right-wing voters disaffected from other parties and fearful of Europe and immigration.  

The '''United Kingdom Independence Party''', also known by the acronym '''UKIP''', is a British political party. Founded in 1993, it campaigns for [[British]] withdrawal from the [[European Union]] (EU). Its support-base is made up substantially of right-wing voters disaffected from other parties and fearful of Europe and immigration.  

In the British Parliament, UKIP elected one representative in 2005, Bob Spink,( although it won only 2.4% of the vote in the 2005 general election); it has 2 members in the [[House of Lords]]. Spink left the party in 2008, leaving UKIP without a voice in Commons. However it did well and won 16% of the vote and 12 of the UK's 78 seats in the [[European Parliament]] in the 2004 European elections.

In the British Parliament, UKIP elected no representatives in 2005 winning only 2.4% of the vote in the 2005 general election. One MP, Bob Spink, moved from the [[Conservative Party]] in 2008, however he left later in the year. UKIP has 2 members in the [[House of Lords]]. However it did well and won 16% of the vote and 12 of the UK's 78 seats in the [[European Parliament]] in the 2004 European elections.

UKIP's present leader, Nigel Farage, is attempting to present the party as having a broad political agenda extending beyond withdrawal from the [[EU]]. Consistently with this aim, he is seeking to shorten the party's name to "the Independence Party".

UKIP's present leader, Nigel Farage, is attempting to present the party as having a broad political agenda extending beyond withdrawal from the [[EU]]. Consistently with this aim, he is seeking to shorten the party's name to "the Independence Party".