Ever since UKIP strong performances in February’s Eastleigh by-election and the May local election there’s been an expectation that the party could top the polls in the May 2014 elections for the European Parliament. The purples were odds-on. They’ve now eased a bit but they remain the favourite.

So this latest poll from Survation, the firm that in the past year has constantly given them the best Westminster shares,is going to come as a big disappointment.

Farage & co have been out of the news over the past few weeks and in next year’s campaign they can expect the spotlight to be on them.

The poll also had strong backing for the idea of an EU referendum BEFORE GE2015.

Westminster voting intentions

55% tell Survation/Mail on Sunday poll that they want an EU referendum BEFORE GE2015 – the plan of CON MP Adam Afriyie

— Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) October 12, 2013

Mike Smithson

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