About six months ago, most opinion polls were suggesting that Nigel Farage's United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) would do very well indeed in the 2015 General Election. One friend who has considered switching his allegiance to UKIP from the Conservative Party, was even suggesting a UKIP landslide!
Realistic indications were that UKIP would win enough MPs to fill a Minibus. Although recent polling indictes a more modest prospect that the number of UKIP MPs will be able to fill a Taxi!
So will Farage even manage to win the South Thanet Constituency? And more importantly if he doesn't, would he still want to remain as UKIP Leader and as a Member of the European Parliament?
There is always life beyond Politics, and as far as the issue which largely defines Farage goes, I think a referendum on Britain's future in the EU is possible in the next few years regardless of whichever coalition takes office after 7 May 2015.
Of course I will be voting the opposite way to Farage in such a referendum. But whichever way that referendum would go, it is likely to resolve the question of Britain's relationship with the rest of Europe for at least a generation.
So could Nigel Farage reinvent himself as a Television Game Show Host? Game Shows thrive and survive on the development of unique catchphrases, as well as a unique and distinctive voice.
Whether you love Mr Farage or loathe him, it is certainly a common viewpoint that Farage is good television value. It seems to me that Farage appears as a panelist more frequently on the BBC's Question Time than anyone else.
When UK Broadcasters first came up with televised leadership debate proposals for the General Election campaign, there was clearly enthusiasm for Farage to take part. His entertainment value will have been a factor, despite the Green Party having a stronger democratic case to take part on the basis of their performance at the 2010 general election.
Another friend of mine with left of centre views totally scoffed at the suggestion of Farage being a Game Show Host. This friend made reference to Farage's privileged education and past links to the Conservative Party, before passionately stating that a Game Show Host needs to show an empathy with contestants from all backgrounds!
Although Farage and UKIP may still pose more of a threat to the Conservatives' prospects than Labour, there is clear electoral evidence that Farage can connect with the common man. The Heywood and Middleton by-election in October 2014 was a significant indication that UKIP can also act as a protest vote for traditional Labour voters. UKIP in fact came within a little over 600 votes from winning what is regarded as a safe Labour seat!
Nigel Farage has had some success in painting a picture to some Britons that life outside the EU will be the land of milk and honey. I believe Farage would have little difficulty as a Game Show Host in nailing a catchphrase to position the winning prize in a similar light.
Realistic indications were that UKIP would win enough MPs to fill a Minibus. Although recent polling indictes a more modest prospect that the number of UKIP MPs will be able to fill a Taxi!
So will Farage even manage to win the South Thanet Constituency? And more importantly if he doesn't, would he still want to remain as UKIP Leader and as a Member of the European Parliament?
There is always life beyond Politics, and as far as the issue which largely defines Farage goes, I think a referendum on Britain's future in the EU is possible in the next few years regardless of whichever coalition takes office after 7 May 2015.
Of course I will be voting the opposite way to Farage in such a referendum. But whichever way that referendum would go, it is likely to resolve the question of Britain's relationship with the rest of Europe for at least a generation.
So could Nigel Farage reinvent himself as a Television Game Show Host? Game Shows thrive and survive on the development of unique catchphrases, as well as a unique and distinctive voice.
Whether you love Mr Farage or loathe him, it is certainly a common viewpoint that Farage is good television value. It seems to me that Farage appears as a panelist more frequently on the BBC's Question Time than anyone else.
When UK Broadcasters first came up with televised leadership debate proposals for the General Election campaign, there was clearly enthusiasm for Farage to take part. His entertainment value will have been a factor, despite the Green Party having a stronger democratic case to take part on the basis of their performance at the 2010 general election.
Another friend of mine with left of centre views totally scoffed at the suggestion of Farage being a Game Show Host. This friend made reference to Farage's privileged education and past links to the Conservative Party, before passionately stating that a Game Show Host needs to show an empathy with contestants from all backgrounds!
Although Farage and UKIP may still pose more of a threat to the Conservatives' prospects than Labour, there is clear electoral evidence that Farage can connect with the common man. The Heywood and Middleton by-election in October 2014 was a significant indication that UKIP can also act as a protest vote for traditional Labour voters. UKIP in fact came within a little over 600 votes from winning what is regarded as a safe Labour seat!
Nigel Farage has had some success in painting a picture to some Britons that life outside the EU will be the land of milk and honey. I believe Farage would have little difficulty as a Game Show Host in nailing a catchphrase to position the winning prize in a similar light.
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