UKIP won their first parliamentary seat following the Clacton by-election yesterday sending shock waves through the three main political parties.
Douglas Carswell, once a Conservative stalwart, recently traded allegiances to stand for Nigel Farage’s party and stormed to victory taking almost 60% of the vote as the Tory vote collapsed.
Nigel Farage has described the momentous success as ‘a mini-earthquake’ in the British political landscape.
The once ridiculed ‘protest party’ has the Conservative government drifting to the right on policy as they look to retain wavering voters.
We took to the streets of South West London to reveal whether voters would support a candidate if they deserted the Conservatives for UKIP.
Would you still vote for Stephen Hammond (MP for Wimbledon) if he defected to UKIP?
YES NO
10% 90%
Those who wouldn’t vote for him if he jumped ship cited reasons such as disagreeing with UKIP’s policies and a feeling they would do little to support the poorer members of society.
Others who would support him if he defected mentioned issues relating to immigration and housing.
Winston Reed, 49, a street cleaner from Streatham, said: “UKIP do nothing for the poorer classes.”
Timothy Bheemul, 22, a Wimbledon student, said “I just don’t like UKIP.”
John Simmons a 70-year-old pensioner from Kensington felt that none of the politicians were worth his vote and that now abstains.
He said: “I wouldn’t vote for any of them. All three parties are the same and they do nothing for me.”
Sarah Edwards, 24, a checkout assistant from Wimbledon, agreed with Mr Simmons sentiment, she said: “No, I don’t like any of them.”
Paul Stephens, 40, who works as an Engineer in Wimbledon thought his vote would have little impact on the election anyway.
He said: “No, it would be a wasted vote.”
Anas Arshad, 18, student from Wimbledon, who will be voting for the first time in next year’s election, said if UKIP were elected in Wimbledon he would move as far away as possible.
On the other side of coin Tracey Jennings, a Community support officer from Wimbledon, would vote for Stephen Hammond were he to run for UKIP.
She said: “The Conservative government is doing nothing to control immigration and the housing and schools policy needs to be sorted out.”
“The country doesn’t feel like our own anymore.”
Picture courtesy of European Parliament, with thanks
