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U.K. Independence Party Gears Up for Special Vote U.K. Independence Party Gears Up for Special Vote
(3 months later)
NEWARK, England — After its success last month in European parliamentary elections, Britain’s populist U.K. Independence Party finally has a chance to win a seat in the place it really cares about, the British Parliament.NEWARK, England — After its success last month in European parliamentary elections, Britain’s populist U.K. Independence Party finally has a chance to win a seat in the place it really cares about, the British Parliament.
On Thursday, the party will compete to represent the Newark district in a special election caused by the resignation of a Conservative Party legislator, Patrick Mercer. He quit after a lobbying scandal exposed by an undercover reporter who offered him cash.On Thursday, the party will compete to represent the Newark district in a special election caused by the resignation of a Conservative Party legislator, Patrick Mercer. He quit after a lobbying scandal exposed by an undercover reporter who offered him cash.
In normal times a parliamentary election in Newark might be a formality for Prime Minister David Cameron’s governing Conservatives, who won the seat easily the last time it was contested, in 2010. But this election in the affluent heart of England presents another opportunity for populists.In normal times a parliamentary election in Newark might be a formality for Prime Minister David Cameron’s governing Conservatives, who won the seat easily the last time it was contested, in 2010. But this election in the affluent heart of England presents another opportunity for populists.
In Britain, the U.K. Independence Party, or UKIP, finished first in the European election, with 27.5 percent of the vote, but it has never won a seat in the British Parliament. The circumstances of Mr. Mercer’s resignation, though, give the party a chance to portray itself as representing a fresher and more honest brand of politics, as have populist politicians in other European countries, battering mainstream parties in Denmark, France and beyond.In Britain, the U.K. Independence Party, or UKIP, finished first in the European election, with 27.5 percent of the vote, but it has never won a seat in the British Parliament. The circumstances of Mr. Mercer’s resignation, though, give the party a chance to portray itself as representing a fresher and more honest brand of politics, as have populist politicians in other European countries, battering mainstream parties in Denmark, France and beyond.
Mr. Cameron is taking the threat seriously. He has visited Newark four times himself and has sent waves of cabinet ministers to canvass on behalf of his candidate, Robert Jenrick. The leader of the opposition Labour Party, Ed Miliband, came too, walking the corridors of the local hospital.Mr. Cameron is taking the threat seriously. He has visited Newark four times himself and has sent waves of cabinet ministers to canvass on behalf of his candidate, Robert Jenrick. The leader of the opposition Labour Party, Ed Miliband, came too, walking the corridors of the local hospital.
“There is everything to play for,” said Matthew Goodwin, professor of politics at the University of Nottingham. “UKIP are very confident about this by-election; they are very invested in the idea that they can determine their destiny by getting out and knocking on doors.”“There is everything to play for,” said Matthew Goodwin, professor of politics at the University of Nottingham. “UKIP are very confident about this by-election; they are very invested in the idea that they can determine their destiny by getting out and knocking on doors.”
Newark is no stranger to political upheaval — it was a focal point in the English Civil War, which culminated in the execution of a king in the 17th century.Newark is no stranger to political upheaval — it was a focal point in the English Civil War, which culminated in the execution of a king in the 17th century.
UKIP’s candidate for the seat, Roger Helmer, a 70-year-old businessman and former Conservative member of the European Parliament, said a modern-day rebellion was afoot.UKIP’s candidate for the seat, Roger Helmer, a 70-year-old businessman and former Conservative member of the European Parliament, said a modern-day rebellion was afoot.
“There is a fantastic sea change going on in British politics,” he said. “Newark has an opportunity to send a message on behalf of the whole country to the political establishment.” “There is a fantastic sea change going on in British politics,” he said. “Newark has an opportunity to send a message on behalf of the whole country to the political establishment.”
Ozzie Holburne, a trader on a market stall here, said he agreed. He described himself as a former Conservative voter who had lost faith in politicians. “Everyone is voting UKIP; we are sick of the lies,” he said, citing immigration as a big issue and adding that people find it “too hard to make a living.”Ozzie Holburne, a trader on a market stall here, said he agreed. He described himself as a former Conservative voter who had lost faith in politicians. “Everyone is voting UKIP; we are sick of the lies,” he said, citing immigration as a big issue and adding that people find it “too hard to make a living.”
Chris Bryant, a former government minister who is coordinating the campaign of Labour’s candidate, Michael Payne, likened UKIP’s successes to the dropping of a stone into a pond. “I don’t know how those ripples will play out,” he said, “but what I do know is that in Cameron’s 44th safest seat he’s got a headache.” Labour finished second here in the 2010 general election, but far behind the Conservatives.Chris Bryant, a former government minister who is coordinating the campaign of Labour’s candidate, Michael Payne, likened UKIP’s successes to the dropping of a stone into a pond. “I don’t know how those ripples will play out,” he said, “but what I do know is that in Cameron’s 44th safest seat he’s got a headache.” Labour finished second here in the 2010 general election, but far behind the Conservatives.
Yet UKIP faces an enormous task to win here. Tellingly, its leader, Nigel Farage, opted not to run for the seat himself, apparently judging that a loss would undercut the political strength he gained from the results of the European elections. In 2010 Mr. Farage’s party won just 3.8 percent of the vote here.Yet UKIP faces an enormous task to win here. Tellingly, its leader, Nigel Farage, opted not to run for the seat himself, apparently judging that a loss would undercut the political strength he gained from the results of the European elections. In 2010 Mr. Farage’s party won just 3.8 percent of the vote here.
The party, which is relying largely on door knocking to support Mr. Helmer’s campaign, is up against the resources of the Conservatives and Labour with sophisticated information systems on voting intentions. In the end, the result may depend on how many Conservative supporters simply stay home.The party, which is relying largely on door knocking to support Mr. Helmer’s campaign, is up against the resources of the Conservatives and Labour with sophisticated information systems on voting intentions. In the end, the result may depend on how many Conservative supporters simply stay home.
At Cushty Cuts, a pet-grooming salon that opened in January, the co-owner, Lynn Savage, normally a Conservative voter, said she had not decided how to vote on Thursday.At Cushty Cuts, a pet-grooming salon that opened in January, the co-owner, Lynn Savage, normally a Conservative voter, said she had not decided how to vote on Thursday.
Steve Justice, an engineer who has also voted Conservative in the past, said he was also undecided.Steve Justice, an engineer who has also voted Conservative in the past, said he was also undecided.
“I am not planning on voting for UKIP,” he said. “But I am very disenchanted. Whoever gets into power, they are going to sponge off the system. Everybody is fed up because we are all busting a gut and going nowhere.”“I am not planning on voting for UKIP,” he said. “But I am very disenchanted. Whoever gets into power, they are going to sponge off the system. Everybody is fed up because we are all busting a gut and going nowhere.”