The UK Independence Party: Understanding a Niche Party's Strategy, Candidates and Supporters

P Lynch,G Loomes,R Whitaker

doi:10.1093/pa/gsr042

P Lynch, G Loomes + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1093/pa/gsr042

Copy DOI

Abstract

The UK Independence Party (UKIP) came second in the 2009 European elections, but niche parties associated with a single issue face a dilemma about how to progress. On one hand, if they move too far beyond their core issue, they risk losing their distinctive position and support base. On the other, if they are to grow their representation, they need to develop a broader platform and this can provoke internal tensions. We assess the political attitudes and views on party strategy of UKIP candidates using surveys at the 2009 European and 2010 general election, and compare them with the views of UKIP supporters using opinion poll data. We demonstrate that UKIP’s candidates and supporters are closely aligned, with both groups being strongly Eurosceptic, favouring tighter immigration policies and distrusting the main parties. We also show that UKIP’s leadership and candidates wish to extend the party’s narrative, but differences remain over what issues it should focus on, as well as over competition with the Conservatives and UKIP’s role in the European Parliament.

Highlights

The UK Independence Party (UKIP) achieved its best election performance in the 2009 European Parliament elections, coming second with 16.5% of the vote
Hard Eurosceptic parties such as UKIP would appear to qualify given their focus on an issue that lies on a comparatively new anti-European integration versus pro-integration cleavage, yet they barely feature in these studies
We focus on candidates’ views on three strategic issues: (1) the role of UKIP MEPs; (2) whether and how UKIP should expand its range of policies, and (3) competition between UKIP and its principal rivals, the Conservatives, and the British National Party (BNP) and Labour

Summary

Conclusions

In common with other niche parties, UKIP faces significant challenges if it is to secure parliamentary representation. A ban on wearing the burqa in public remains party policy but did not feature in UKIP’s 2011 local and devolved elections manifestos.[40] The combination of Islamophobia, anti-immigration policies, populism and Euroscepticism has brought electoral dividends for populist radical right parties This is a serious strategic option for UKIP as it would help it to win over that sizeable tranche of voters who share these attitudes yet regard the BNP as a pariah party.[41] But there are reputational risks. For example, focused on the costs of membership, the impact of the Working Time Directive on the National Health Service, and how EU regulations shape local issues from job losses in manufacturing to the building of wind farms Niche parties such as UKIP must strike an appropriate balance between national campaigns on their distinctive issue and the bottom-up development of their support base in target constituencies. Attitudes of UKIP European election candidates to UKIP MEPs’ roles (% of respondents)

Of little importance

Social and geographical characteristics of UKIP voters compared to others

Findings

10. Political attitudes of UKIP voters compared with others