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Britain: The threat from the right

April 22, 2013

For years, Britain's established parties refused to take the UKIP seriously. But strong performances in recent by-elections have proven even a small party can create major waves in Britain's electoral system.

https://p.dw.com/p/18Ku2
epa03029091 The British (L) and EU flags hang outside the Europe House in London, Britain, 09 December 2011. British Prime Minister David Cameron used his right to veto an EU-wide treaty change to tackle the eurozone crisis. Cameron said 09 December 'it was not in British interests'. A new 'accord' setting out tougher budget rules is to be drawn up for the eurozone countries, which all EU states, except the UK, look set to join. EPA/ANDY RAIN +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

Since the Liberal Democrats have entered government, the UK Independence Party -or UKIP- is the number one protest party in Britain. The Conservatives in particular stand to lose votes to the right-wing party. Prime Minister David Cameron has looked increasingly uncomfortable as opinion polls show UKIP with double-digit popularity ratings. The eurosceptic party was founded over twenty years ago, in protest against the Maastricht Treaty. Now with fresh wind in its sails, UKIP is giving the other parties a run for their money.

EXETER, ENGLAND - MARCH 23: UKIP party leader Nigel Farage makes his keynote speech to the UKIP 2013 Spring Conference being held in the Great Hall, Exeter University on March 23, 2013 in Exeter, England. Buoyed by recent successes including the by election in Eastleigh where they came second, the party is claiming it is the only one with alternative policies and a vote for UKIP is no longer just a protest vote. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Image: Getty Images