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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]]

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.

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 opposed to the surrender of British sovereignty. The current leader of UKIP is [[House of Lords]] member Lord Pearson of Rannoch.

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.

In the 2008 European elections UKIP came second. with 16.5% of the vote and 13 of the UK's 78 seats in the [[European Parliament]]

In the Parliamentary election of May 6th 2010, UKIP got 3.1% of the vote, a total of 917,232, an increase of 50% on the previous parliamentary election vote. However, owing to the electoral system, they still got no MPs. This makes them the largest unrepresented party in the UK. UKIP has 2 members in the [[House of Lords]].  

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".

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".