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Line 1: − + − + − + − + − − UKIP is a protest party that sometimes does poorly in elections for the British Parliament but does well in elections to the European Parliament, which it denounces as the enemy to Britain. In the 2009 election to the European Parliament, Ukip succeeded in gaining 13 MEPs, an increase of 1 on their performance in the 2004 election. In a remarkable achievement, protesting voters made them second only to the Conservative Party.
United Kingdom Independence Party (view source)
Revision as of 14:49, May 9, 2010
, 14:49, May 9, 2010update following GE
[[File:Farage.jpg|thumb|200px|UKIP's leader, Nigel Farage, wants to take Britain out of Europe and cut off immigration]]
[[File:Farage.jpg|thumb|200px|Prominant UKIP MEP, Nigel Farage, wants to take Britain out of Europe and cut off 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.
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 current leader of UKIP is [[House of Lords]] memeber Lord Pearson of Rannoch.
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.
In the British Parliament, UKIP elected no representatives in 2010 desipte getting 3.1% of the vote in the general election, making them the party with the most votes without MPs. UKIP has 2 members in the [[House of Lords]]. However it did well and won 16.5% of the vote and 13 of the UK's 78 seats in the [[European Parliament]] in the 2008 European elections, coming second.
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 former 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 attracts alienated voters especially on the right who fear Britain is being swallowed up by Europe and must fight back. Its bitter rival was the neo-Nazi [[British National Party]], which has faded away in the polls as a respectable image helped UKIP grow. UKIP has endorsed a [[libertarian]] economic agenda. It proposes a flat tax of 33% and opposes national identity cards. It rejects environmentalism.
UKIP attracts alienated voters especially on the right who fear Britain is being swallowed up by Europe and must fight back. Its bitter rival was the neo-Nazi [[British National Party]], which has faded away in the polls as a respectable image helped UKIP grow. UKIP has endorsed a [[libertarian]] economic agenda. It proposes a flat tax of 33% and opposes national identity cards. It rejects environmentalism.