Thoughts of a Young Independence member #1 The Neville Scandal.

An Observer Opinium poll has recently revealed Ukip to be beating the Tories in the North West, (http://politicsuk.eu/archives/12950). I'm not one to boast, (especially after those tiring London elections), but this does not only amplify the increasing momentum of Ukip support, but the sheer enthusiasm for - a Ukip. This already defeats the pinnacle of public enthusiasm for the Lib-Dems, in that epoch when it was ok to blabber on elusive policies - frankly, because it was cool being the political bench warmer. Nonetheless, I'm not digging into pre-2010 politics today.

Bluntly, Young Independence, the, (before all this to the least), rapidly growing Youth Wing of Ukip, is now in limbo after facing a leadership crisis soon after a November by-election. A very upset Olly Neville - and right to be - was revoked of his Chairmanship of YI in an NEC decision. This was followed by the voluntary resignation of Christina Marian Annesley, as Deputy Chair of YI Yorkshire, Gareth Shanks, as YI Elections Officer, and Allrik Birch, as YI Treasurer, in protest to the NEC's decision. A 'decision' made merely because his Libertarian values were a couple steps ahead to that of the NEC.

 The decision was inane; not even deserving 'insane'. He was elected by a landslide majority and had great intentions for YI, as any bloke believing in a future Ukip force should; hence I have started to question the NEC's long-term vision of Ukip. They must comprehend the fact that Ukip actually does have a gleam in the eye which does steadily entice Lady Britannia; something which the Lib-Dems never enjoyed and the Conservatives have lost in the North West.

I don't necessarily agree with Neville. Moreover, I was strongly cognizant of his views on issues such as prostitution and drugs - when I voted for him. Voted for him.

Gay marriage? I wasn't surprised. He's a pure Libertarian; I'm not. Although, I do possess sympathy for the drugs argument, particularly on cannabis reform. But that's the beauty of YI, isn't it? We either have yellow, purple or striped tied YouthKipers working together in harmony in efforts establish ground in the social fabric. Neville was an opportunity to enhance this relationship and get it working on the doorstep.

Nevertheless, I believe in YI - we will find our way, hopefully starting to replicate Ukip's momentum with the youth, already with a redoubling platform in universities and just starting to pierce into the bigger youth picture. A brilliant bunch indeed.

UKIP on 13% in Opinium poll

An Opinium poll for the Observer newspaper is out today showing UKIP riding high on 13%, the Lib Dems languishing on 9% and both Labour and the Tories dropping by 1% and 3% respectively.

Opinium have finally caved into common sense and added a purple line to their tracker showing UKIP's gradual rise in the polls in the last year and a half. What the graph shows is that UKIP's big jump in support in the first half of this year (when we started consistently polling above the Lib Dems) was at the expense of the Tories but the latest surge has been at the expense of both the Tories and Labour.

The current record level of support in the opinion polls may just be a blip thanks to the Rotherham child snatcher case and the three by-elections we've just had so we won't be cracking open the champagne just yet but if the current level of support is maintained a trend of a 2% increase in support every 8 months could see UKIP polling 19-20% by the 2015 general election.

Opinium Research has UKIP on third as well

Another polling company - Opinium Research - has published a poll today putting UKIP in third place, ahead of the Lib Dems.

The Opinium poll backs up YouGov's findings in yesterday's polling that UKIP have overtaken the Lib Dems.  The data tables haven't been published which is a shame because it would be interesting to see the breakdown for the midlands and Wales which YouGov combines into a meaningless polling region.