European Elections: UKIP Ahead in Most English Regions

The UK Independence Party is ahead in most British regions among those certain to vote in the forthcoming European Elections. The party is in the lead in South West England, South East England, London, Eastern England, West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, and the North West, seven of the 11 British regions.

The poll, conducted by ComRes for ITV News, shows the anti-EU party opening up substantial leads in some regions. In the Eastern England region, for example, the party has a huge 35 percent lead among those certain to vote, while in the West Midlands region it has a 25 percent lead over Labour.

The Conservatives, who came first in many regions at the last European Elections, now do no better than second place in Eastern England, being either third or fourth elsewhere.

Labour still maintains a lead in its North East England heartland, and in Wales, but in Scotland it trails the Scottish National Party.

The poll is also disastrous for the Liberal Democrats, who look set to lose most, if not all, of their seats in the European Parliament. Nationally, the party are on just eight percent of those certain to vote, scoring as low as four percent in the East Midlands, a region once represented by party leader Nick Clegg, and three percent in Wales.

Over all, UKIP are on 38 percent nationally, ahead of Labour on 27 percent. The Conservatives, who have won the previous three European Elections, are now in third place on 18 percent. UKIP also have a two point lead among all respondents, including those less likely to vote.

Respondents were also asked whether they thought UKIP are a racist party. Although nearly a third (32 percent) said they were, 40 percent said they were not. Thirty-eight percent also disagreed with the statement “UKIP are not a credible political party”, against 36 percent who agreed.

Thirty-eight percent did say, however, that they thought UKIP were no more honest than any other party, against 33 percent saying were more honest. Another 38 percent also thought the party’s policies were not sensible, compared to 34 percent who thought they were.

Despite these reservations, the poll still shows that a substantial section of the public are prepared to vote UKIP regardless, with the party set to significantly increase their representation in the European Parliament.