UKIP members are right to celebrate this event, a watershed in the party's history and a result they all hope to repeat many times. It is however important they do not over hype the relevance of this. They could come in third across several more polls or they could fall back again just as easily. It is important to note that two other polls came out yesterday, neither showing them in third place, with populus showing roughly a 4% figure.
But the underlying trend is very good for UKIP, the party is up from a month ago and even further up from two months ago. Support is widening and media coverage is increasing. UKIP now needs to focus on bringing younger voters into the fold. Polling figures show the proportion of under 40 voters who are uncommitted is much higher than the proportion of over 40 voters who are uncommitted. The under 40's is coincidentally a clear weak point for UKIP. Bringing these voters into the fold is key for cementing UKIP as the third party in British politics.
Finally, we must recognize that an opinion poll is really meaningless in itself. Election results are all that matters and an increase in polling results increases expectations. UKIP must perform well in this round of local elections, a few dozen gains is an absolute must, and the same must be repeated next year and the year after. The party must pick out target areas and build a few strongholds across the nation. If UKIP can gain control of a council or two at district level or above, and become a major presence in a few more, the party will be in good standing for the next general election.
Nigel Farage is correct when he says, "This isn't some flash in the pan, this is 20 years of hard work which we will continue." The Lib-Dems still massively outnumber UKIP in councillors and of course in parliament. The hard work must continue, and the party activists must work even harder to truly establish UKIP as the third party in British politics.
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