No one expects UKIP to be the next govt, so what on earth are you all panicking about ?

...and for those living in Spain, Rajoy has put him self clearly in the lead of the to be afraid of list.
Unfortunately, he is the present day reality.

Well I for one am not at all panicking. I'm laughing my socks off at these buffoons and their ovine supporters.

To be fair, the events since 2007 have shown us the politicians have very little real say in how the country is run. The banking elite dictate what measures are introduced - whether it's vat of 21% in Spain, or pumping up the astronomical housing prices in the UK.

I consider myself a "centrist". I prefer legislation derived from sensibility and reality, and sensible understanding of human nature, rather than unfettered idealism, political ambitions or religious ideals.

Having said that, naturally I tend to lean to the right, because I find much of the conservative view to be simply more sensible and grounded than that of the left. The conservatives certainly have proven far better at managing economic issues. The liberals on the other hand, tend to keep throwing good money after bad, in their quest for idealism, too oft dismissing the realities of how humans are, which explains why so many liberal policies fail or completely backfire, ironically only to be addressed by more of the same, in hopes it's failures will somehow change. ...very much like the EU.

Nonetheless, one thing I consistently find in conservative politics is legislation on the basis of religion-imposed morality (e.g., anti-gay, racist or other discriminatory policies). Many American conservatives make me cringe, for example. I simply can't agree with many of the less grounded sentiments of the conservatives, and UKIP is no exception.

Whilst I agree with a healthy debate (and even a referendum) on British or any other member's EU membership, I feel UKIP is making a joke of themselves. Farage wastes too many great opportunities with daft and offensive behaviour, rather than engaging in sensible debate and presentation of UKIPs platform. Other key UKIP members engage in wholly disrespectful behaviour...

...and that effectively negates anything sensible that UKIP may have to offer.

UKIP may affect UK politics in some positive ways, but I for one, couldn't ever vote for them, especially with Farage as leader.

I still say Daniel Hannon would make a far more credible UKIP leader, though I don't agree with all his views either.

Frankly, at the risk of getting hit with rotten tomatoes, I am pretty impressed with Cameron's government. They thought through it, did things carefully, stuck with it, and even after constant verbal abuse from Milliband and Labour, "proving" how things are going from bad to worse, it turns out that sensible politics is beginning to turn things around. Nothing will ever be perfect, but I'm impressed so far.

Could UKIP have done that? I seriously doubt it.

Labour? Not a chance. In fact, if Labour were in power, I'd reckon the UK could be in their 3rd bailout with no end in sight...

I think he might even come second to our next EU president. Reminds me of a clipped moustached, floppy haired gentleman from a country not too far from him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxgUm5VciM0

So we have this tiny party that has a single policy agenda of a UK exit from the EU, to date they haven't advocated eating children or constructing concentration camps, so why do they get more forum time than any other political party?

Are you now suggesting that the party you have said many time you will vote for should not have its policies ridiculed ( a very easy task ). Do you think that we are being bullies and shold leave the poor dears alone.
We agree with you ,they are not a serious proposition but we all need something to lighten up this day in the grey world and UKIP does that.
We could ( most of us ) pick on the labour party, but that would not be half as much fun.

A sort of right wing extremist monster raving loony party, in fact.

Does the Monster Raving Loony Party advocate leaving Europe?

If so I will be torn between the two

They have huge entertainment value.

Which could herald a handful of seats.

If he thought they were a credible party, wouldn't he have joined UKIP instead of continuing to represent the Conservatives?

I think you're absolutely right. Hannon is decidedly more credible than UKIP, and his choice of affiliation reflects that. Nonetheless, UKIP and Hannon have flirted, and Hannon seems to agree with some of UKIPs views. But I suspect Hannon would prefer to distance himself, especially in light of how UKIP has conducted itself over time.

Well it seems as though it's not just the UK who has this type of politician. Hmmm, seems that the Spanish want to join the party:

http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/01/24/...98_022392.html