There are signs that Farage could be having second thoughts about standing in Thanet S
— PolPics (@PolPics) November 28, 2014
What current MP Tweeted yesterday
“@FarageNo: @MSmithsonPB @LordAshcroft That's what happens when you don't visit the constituency in 3 months.†#desperatelyseekingNigel
— Laura Sandys (@LauraSandysMP) November 27, 2014
At the PB party a week ago I was somewhat surprised at being told by at least two kippers that it wasn’t entirely certain that Nigel Farage was going to stand in the Thanet South constituency on May 7th. I, and apparently most punters, thought that this was a certainty following his selection that was widely reported in August.
Adding to the mystery was the above Tweet from outgoing CON MP for the seat, Laura Sandys, about the UKIP leader not have being seen there for three months.
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Whoever you are at this stage before an election you make sure that you are regularly seen in the constituency that you will soon be fighting.
Indeed back in 2009 Farage himself stepped down as UKIP leader so he could devote himself to winning Buckingham where John Bercow is the sitting MP and where none of the main parties put up candidates.
Apart from two ex-MPs who have defected UKIP has never won a Westminster seat and this needs graft and commitment. The actual choice that people is not like the party list in the Euros but for an individual who will be the area’s representative at Westminster. The ground work has to be done.
If Farage is having second thoughts then yesterday’s Ashcroft poll of Thanet South will add to them. The last thing he can risk is putting himself up for election and then failing.
Meanwhile UKIP’s odds start to move out
Before yesterday's Thanet South poll Ladbrokes http://t.co/ZlibygoyoN had UKIP at 2/5 for the seat. Now that's moved to 4/6
— Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) November 28, 2014