Nigel Farage’s Ukip are now standing at 20% in the polls. (Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

They’re supposed to be a bunch of fuddy-duddy amateurs. A party of ‘swivel-eyed loons’. So how on Earth have the political classes allowed Ukip to reach 20% in the polls?

That’s right. You read that correctly. According to the latest opinion poll from ComRes for the Independent on Sunday and Sunday Mirror newspapers, Ukip are winning support from a fifth of voters.

They’re just nine points behind the Conservatives, who are on 29%, and well ahead of the Liberal Democrats who are down to seven per cent.

These numbers are, frankly, staggering.


Ukip is supposed to be a protest party capable of netting ten per cent at the most. Even that was bad news for David Cameron, who doesn’t want a distraction for right-wing voters.

Ukip are the kind of protest vote that doesn’t go away.

With Ukip at 20%, the prime minister’s chances of staying in No 10 after the next general election are virtually non-existent.



And yet, before they broke up for Easter last week, there were little signs that MPs were that bothered.

Inside the Westminster bubble there are no Ukip MPs. Whenever they’re mentioned, the existence of this political party usually results in smiles, not frowns.

Nigel Farage’s party is threatening but remains a fringe presence – the sort of problem which causes pause for thought, but doesn’t cost any sleep at nights.

Polls putting Ukip at 20% will change all that.

Ukip hopes to win this year’s European elections outright. (Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

It’s not just Cameron that should be worried, either. In the north of England Ukip is hoping to take a big bite out of traditional Labour voters, putting Ed Miliband’s own prime ministerial ambitions in jeopardy.

You might not agree with their views on immigration. Their kneejerk jingoistic patriotism might leave an unpleasant taste in the mouth. But it’s exactly that willingness to speak bluntly which makes Ukip so compelling to voters.

In Westminster that gets ignored. This poll probably will, too. MPs have a habit of saying ‘it’ll all change when it comes to the general election’.

What they don’t realise is that Ukip are the kind of protest vote that doesn’t go away.

And with a strong case for Farage being included in 2015’s prime ministerial debates, Ukip have a strong change of making a big splash next year.

This is how change happens. Just look at the Progressive Conservatives in Canada, who went from having a majority to just two seats in one election. The Tories won’t suffer the same fate – but Ukip’s rise and rise is nevertheless turning into a nightmare for Cameron and co.

Which is what makes the latest polls so exciting. Ukip are officially a powerful force to be reckoned with. It’s something we’d all better get used to.

Nigel Farage’s profile has been boosted by his recent televised debates with Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg. (Picture: Pool/Reuters)