UKIP leader Nigel Farage will be in high spirits this week after his national success in the council elections.
The controversial party turned out to be not-so-controversial with voters as UKIP made serious gains all around the country.
Nigel Farage’s party gained their first two seats in Greater Manchester too, snatching one each from Labour and the Conservatives in Bolton.
They won a colossal 128 seats nationally, despite numerous accusations of racism and claims describing UKIP as a ‘fascist party’.
Nigel Farage was originally a Conservative Party member, but abandoned the Tories in 1992 following the signing of the Maastricht Treaty which made Britain part of the European Union.
And it is UKIP’s views on Europe which has garnered so much support and discontent for the party.
UK media has come under flak for its coverage over the course of the elections campaigns.
The BBC received nearly 2,000 complaints accusing it of either having given too much coverage to UKIP, or being biased in favour of the far-right party.
So what do the people of Manchester think of UKIP and its controversial leader? We took to the streets of Piccadilly to ask:
Would Nigel Farage make a good Prime Minister?
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Options |
Results |
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Yes |
0% |
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No |
100% |
The unanimous response was that Manchester would hate to see Nigel Farage as a future PM – including several UKIP voters.
Sharon Bennett, a 47-year-old finance director from Chorley, said: “What do I think of Nigel Farage for Prime Minister? Not for Prime Minister – though I have got a lot of support for what he’s saying.
“I believe in Farage’s ideals for the country, and in UKIP. I just think Farage is a one-trick pony, and there aren’t many other figures in the party that could carry the same weight.
“I don’t expect to see Farage in such a position of power in the near future.”
Conor Horan, 22, from Didsbury, said: “Farage for Prime Minister? Not a chance. I think the man’s delusional!
“I live in South Manchester. We have a diverse community there. We don’t vote for people like UKIP.”
There were others throwing their voices into the mix, though several local residents admitted they had never given UKIP, or the council elections, much thought.
Neil Turner, a 30-year-old quantity surveyor from Trafford, said: “I’ve never really read up on my politics.
“I think he’s the head of the UK International Party, but that’s it. I wouldn’t feel qualified to profess an opinion.”
Carys Elliott, a 23-year-old a junior studio manager who moved to Manchester recently from London said: “I don’t think that’s something I would ever vote for or approve of.”
Jillian, a 64-year-old retiree, said she’d given less than no thought to voting in the council elections.
Alistair Mathers, a 43-year-old plumber from Salford, said: “I voted UKIP in the elections and I’m not ashamed to admit that.
“I agree with a lot of what he says, but I’m not sure I’d want him running the country. He’d probably be in the pub half the time!”
Andrew Wright, 33, also moved to Manchester after being raised further afield, said: “The thought of Nigel Farage in power makes me want to go back up to Scotland. No, I would not like it.”
Andrew said he thought a sharing of power between UKIP and the Conservatives was a more likely future scenario.
Linda Roberts, a 66-year-old retiree, said: “That man will never be in the running for PM. That’s not going to happen. Thank God.”
And when asked what he thought of the idea of Farage leading the country, 68-year-old company secretary David Butler simply said: “Not much!”
Image courtesy of BBC via YouTube, with thanks.
