Has the Brexit Party peaked too soon?
Farage’s political group drops to fourth place in polls following Tory assurances over Britain’s departure from EU
The Brexit Party’s popularity is plummeting following a surge in the run-up to the European elections, latest polling suggests.
According to a BMG Research survey for The Independent, Nigel Farage’s one-issue Brexit Party has dropped to fourth place on just 14%, behind the Conservatives (28%), Labour (27%) and the Lib Dems (18%).
The Tories and Lib Dems have made gains of two points and one point respectively since last month, while Labour remains unchanged, but the Brexit Party has lost four points - “suggesting that the effect of coming top in the European elections in May is wearing off”, the newspaper says.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Daily Express claims the new figures indicate that a number of people who backed the Brexit Party in the vote have returned to the Conservatives, “heartened by the prospect of a Boris Johnson government delivering a ‘do or die’ Brexit with or without a deal on 31 October”.
That link is also indicated by a separate poll for The Daily Telegraph. Of 511 Tory party members quizzed for the survey, just 56% said they would still vote for the Conservatives if the next prime minister fails to deliver Brexit by the October deadline, with 35% claiming they would switch their support to the Brexit Party.
“If, however, the UK left on or by the deadline, Conservative members would flock back, with 92% backing the Tories,” the paper adds. Meanwhile, Brexit Party support among Conservative Party members would fall to just 5%.
A source from Tory leadership front-runner Boris Johnson’s campaign told the Telegraph: “It’s clear that the only way to take on and defeat Jeremy Corbyn is to prick the twin puffballs of the Brexit Party and the Lib Dems who have been feasting on the Conservative vote due to our inability to deliver Brexit.”
But while many commentators believe that would spell disaster for the Brexit Party, in particular, not everyone is convinced. Politico’s Tom McTague argues that the party has “ambitions far beyond being simply a vehicle for Brexiteer protest votes”, with Farage planning to field candidates at every level while developing a full policy platform.
All the same, says UnHerd’s Peter Franklin, in order to stay relevant the Brexit Party needs to “overcome its most dangerous enemy – i.e. itself”.
“Even if it doesn’t succumb to the infighting that held UKIP back, it still has the problem that all protest parties have – the perception that they’re not fit for government,” he says.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - May 5, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - annoying noises, gag orders, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 highly educational cartoons about student protests
Cartoons Artists take on apolitical camping, the National Guard, and more
By The Week US Published
-
French schools and the scourge of teenage violence
Talking Point Gabriel Attal announces 'bold' intervention to tackle rise in violent incidents
By The Week UK Published
-
Is David Cameron overshadowing Rishi Sunak?
Talking Point Current PM faces 'thorny dilemma' as predecessor enjoys return to world stage
By The Week UK Published
-
How will honeytrap scandal change Westminster?
Today's Big Question Security procedures laid bare by spear phishing attack as focus shifts to 'political insider' being responsible
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Can Boris Johnson save Rishi Sunak?
Today's Big Question Former PM could 'make the difference' between losing the next election and annihilation
By The Week UK Published
-
Liz Truss and her bid to woo the American far-right
Why Everyone's Talking About Former PM pitching herself as 'bridge in transatlantic conservative movement'
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Stormont power-sharing in sight: 'good news' for Northern Ireland?
Talking Point Unionists vote to end two-year boycott after agreeing legislative package to address post-Brexit trading arrangements
By The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published