UKIP may well be “fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists” but they’re also riding high after last week’s by-election result. Farage must be kicking himself for not standing, as just 1,800 votes separated his party (and it is his party) from the hapless LibDems. With his profile, had he not ducked out of the fight the commentariat today would be poring over a loss as horrifying to the Tories as Galloway’s win in Bradford was for Labour.
In an attempt to put a brave face on the 14-point drop, Clegg said “We overcame the odds with a stunning victory”. A solid LibDem constituency with 40 LibDem borough councillors (gaining two in 2012) aren’t exactly adverse conditions, Nick. For Ed Miliband, Labour must “redouble its efforts” to win over people who wouldn’t normally vote for it.
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