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UKIP's Eastleigh shock is a nightmare for David Cameron
What the political commentators are saying about the Eastleigh by-election result
NICK CLEGG has hailed the Liberal Democrat win in the Eastleigh by-election as a "stunning victory" and most commentators believe it will relieve the pressure, temporarily at least, on his leadership. Anguished Tories insist UKIP's strong showing in second place was a "freak result", but behind the scenes the defeat will lead to "renewed talk about Cameron's leadership and his conservative credentials", says the BBC's Robin Brant. Here's what leading commentators are saying about the by-election result:
Iain Martin in The Daily Telegraph: "My goodness, what a result in Eastleigh. What do the Lib Dems have to do to lose? Start murdering each other? Start murdering voters?"
Philip Webster in The Times: "There are unlikely to be early moves to unseat David Cameron in the wake of the Eastleigh disaster. But efforts to change the way he leads his party are inevitable, threatening to destabilise both him and what remains of coalition unity."
Robin Brant of the BBC: "This is a nightmare for the Tories. Pushed to third in a seat that was theirs not too long ago, their UKIP-like candidate was humiliated. This will lead to renewed talk about Cameron's leadership and his conservative credentials."
Patrick Wintour in The Guardian: "Nick Clegg, facing growing questions over his own leadership, will regard it as a stunning triumph that his party survived against the backdrop of the previous Lib Dem MP Chris Huhne resigning and now facing a prison sentence for asking his wife to take speeding points."
Nick Robinson of the BBC: "Even though the Eastleigh constituency did not change hands, this by-election will change politics, spurring on those Tories who insist that David Cameron is driving their party over an electoral cliff."
Robert Winnett in The Daily Telegraph: "Behind the scenes, the result is shocking to the [Tory] party's strategists. The only positive for the party hierarchy is that they have two years until the next election to turn the situation around – although the clamour over Mr Cameron's leadership, and George Osborne's tenure as Chancellor, will grow."
Isabel Hardman in The Spectator: "I understand that those close to [potential Tory leadership contender] Adam Afriyie already expect the backbencher to make a number of interventions over the next few months which they hope will cement him as a serious voice speaking out against the Tory leadership, and even those who aren't are mulling over how the party should change its strategy."
George Eaton in The New Statesman: "Weary of the shackles of coalition, Tory MPs are desperate for evidence that they can achieve the majority that eluded them in 2010. But the resilience of the Lib Dems and the continuing division of the right means the Tories' chances of outright victory are looking slimmer than ever today." ·
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,,,I watched this drama unfold last on Andrew Neil's show - Grant Shapps and the Liberal Democrat, Simon Hughes, were, quite frankly, cringe - making! Shapps kept insulting the considerable UKIP electorate in the Eastleigh by - election as merely "protest" voters - he simply cannot see (or, perhaps, WILL not see) that we have had just about all that we can take of the Tories under Cameron.
The matters of uncontrolled Eastern European immigration and our continuing, hugely expensive and sovereignty - sapping membership of the EU and Europe are not merely "protest" issues - they have grown into vitally important issues for the British; to turn a complacent and continuing deaf ear to our legitimately and democratically - expressed concerns is to court electoral disaster Mr Shapps (AND Mr Cameron) - wake up!!
Unlike Chris, I am a firm supporter of Britain being at the center of matters in Europe. However, if Europe is constantly bogged down by Britain's unwarranted intransigence, then it is time for Europe to pull the plug on Britain. There is no question of a compromise or a re negotiation of the terms Mr Cameron..Consequently, I say to Cameron, either accept the rules and regulations that are on offer or just GO. I, like the rest of Europe's Governments are fed up to the back teeth with your Thatcher like No No No!!.
William - thank you for your comment - I can understand and respect your point. However, I do think that Cameron slipped up very badly by reneging on his "cast iron" guarantee to hold a referendum on Europe, which formed such a central part of his election manifesto; there is small wonder that we Eurosceptics are disillusioned and, frankly, disenchanted with his leadership.
I feel that Cameron's strategists should have recognised that to hold a European in/out referendum at the first opportunity of this current Coalition's tenure of office would have been very wise - it would have settled this vexed issue for a decade or, at least, until the Eurosceptics had mustered their arguments again and/or until the wider British electorate, too, had had enough of Europe in its current form.
Cameron would, by now, be able to concentrate on other issues - instead of which he has become bogged down in this interminable balancing act of trying to please an increasingly disillusioned Tory (and wider public) Right while maintaining a reasonable stance towards his Europhile Coalition partners, the Lib Dems. I feel that, rightly or wrongly, Europe, and how Cameron deals with it, will define his tenure as Prime Minister.
Good Morning, Chris. Thank you for your comments. Regards, William.