Ukip’s victory in Rochester has lead to the inevitable question of ‘what next?’ for the party. Now that Nigel Farage has two representatives in the House of Commons, his main answer is shockingly more MPs. Douglas Carswell and Mark Reckless came from the Conservative Party, but there has been much chatter in Westminster about the possibility of a Labour defector. Frank Field and Austin Mitchell are just two of the names that are mentioned.
Farage added credence to these rumours by acknowledging he has been in touch with a ‘few’ Labour people. Speaking to reporters in Rochester this morning, the Ukip leader said:
‘I would love a Labour defector because that would reinforce the message as to why we won this by-election yesterday.
‘We didn’t win in Rochester yesterday, Rochester was very difficult for us. Where we did win was in Strood, and we won very well in Strood. And we did that by picking up some Conservative votes but a lump of Labour votes in Strood and interestingly some non-voters. We won this in what has traditionally been the Labour part of the constituency.’
Farage did not appear to be overly willing to prod these disaffected Labourites into switching sides. On the question of whether any of those he has spoken to will jump, Farage said ‘that is up to them to get on and do it.’
Having a Labour defector joining their ranks would allow to push the narrative they are not just a home for Tory refugees. Many of Farage’s comments over the last 24 hours have been pushing the the idea that his party is on track become the third party in British politics. Someone from Labour on their side would certainly help this notion.
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