Ukip is -for all intents and purposes- the closest ideological comparison to the U.S. Tea Party.   In England, prior to Ukip there were 3 primary parties:

• ¹ Labor – Similar to U.S. Democrats
• ² Tory – Similar to U.S. Republicans
• ³ Lib-Dem – Similar to far left liberal Moonbats

You can see there are essentially two types of British Democrats: Labor and Lib-Dem; with Lib-Dem being the Alan Grayson socialist version.   The two often work together because they have similar vested interests; much like Moonbats, Dems, and blue-dogs here in the U.S.

However, there was only one party for a conservative minded person, the Tory party.    Yet the problem was/is Tory is much like our Republicans;  mostly establishment, and mostly RINO’s.  

As a result of the Tory RINO-ism the “conservative element” within the Tory broke off and began the Ukip party – a 4th Party.   Ukip is now headed by Nigel Farage (you’ve probably seen his awesome U-Tube speeches which are often highlighted on conservative blogs).

The Ukip political party is similar in ideological make-up to the U.S. Tea Party, only they are an actual officially registered political party in England since around 1993. 

Ukip believes in a libertarian perspective on individual freedom; generally seeks a smaller government; and strongly supports nationalism (exceptionalism), low taxes, the abolishment of ‘Death-Tax’, and strong immigration controls. 

In the last several years, in addition to defections from the traditional Tory conservatives, the Ukip party has been attracting massive legions of “independent minded” people who are sick of the consequences they must suffer from due to liberal policies.   Notably mass immigration, and the creation of a social welfare state which is demanding more and more taxation and stifling growth (sound familiar?).

The generally liberal media in England have been portraying Ukip as fracturing the Tory’s, or conservatives.  [Again, sound familiar]  However in reality Ukip is gaining support from both sides; taking votes from Tory and Labor, and even unbelievably Lib-Dems.   

So Today –  Nigel Farage today declared that Ukip is ‘re-writing political history’ after making in-roads into Labour, Tory and Lib Dem heartlands.

With half of local election results declared, Ukip has won more than 100 seats, leading Mr Farage to boast: ‘The Ukip fox is in the Westminster hen house.’ 

David Cameron rejected calls from Tory MPs to strike an electoral pact with Ukip, as Nick Clegg refused to resign after seeing the Lib Dems ousted from flagship councils.

But Ed Miliband came under the greatest pressure, with Labour MPs lining up to warn his ‘unprofessional’ and ‘weird’ campaign had failed to connect with voters with just a year until he launches a bid for Number 10. 

After 125 councils had declared results, Ukip had gained 145 seats, with the Tories losing 183 and Labour gaining 257.

Labour has gained control of six councils, with Conservatives losing 11 and the Lib Dems two.

More than 4,000 council seats at 161 English local authorities were up for grabs, including the London boroughs and those in Northern Ireland.

[…]   Speaking to reporters outside his home this morning, Mr Farage said: ‘There are areas of the country where now we have got an imprint in local government. Under the first-past-the-post system we are serious players.’

Mr Farage suggested that the idea that Ukip had only damaged the Tory vote had been blown away by the results.

‘There were two conversations going on last night. One was in Westminster amongst commentariat and MPs… The other conversation was going on in Swindon where the Labour leader said: “We’ve been hurt by Ukip”,’ he told the BBC.

‘Another conversation was going in Rotherham where Ukip won 10 seats and Labour won 11 seats.

‘In the West Midlands Labour were saying ‘Ukip are splitting our vote and letting the Tories in’. And I think this idea that the UKIP vote just hurts the Tories I think is going to be blown away by these results.’

All the main parties have been left reeling about how to respond to the Ukip threat, with just a year to go until the general election.  (continue reading)