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| | [[File:Farage.jpg|thumb|200px|Prominant UKIP MEP, 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]] |
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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 current leader of UKIP is [[House of Lords]] memeber Lord Pearson of Rannoch. | + | 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]] member Lord Pearson of Rannoch. |
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| − | 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. | + | In the British Parliament, UKIP elected no representatives in 2010 despite 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. |
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| − | 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's former leader, Nigel Farage, is attempting to present the party as having a broad political agenda extending beyond withdrawal from the [[EU]]. Consistent with this aim, he is seeking to shorten the party's name to "the Independence Party". |
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| | 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. |