UK Independence Party set to cause political ‘earthquake’ in European Parliament elections

THEY oppose same sex marriage, want to cut immigration and believe man-made climate change is a myth. Now for the first time, this party is set to win an election.

UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage poses for photographers behind the bar of the Hoy and Helmet public house in South Benfleet in Essex, on May 23, 2014. Britain's UK Independence Party surged to its best ever performance in local council elections, according to results announced, giving the anti-EU and anti-immigration group hope for a similar breakthrough in European parliament polls. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL

THEY oppose same sex marriage, want to reduce immigration and believe man-made climate change is a myth.

Now for the first time in history, the far-right UK Independence Party (UKIP) is poised to win an election as it takes the lead in the European Parliament election in Britain.

The Eurosceptic party believes Britain would be better off without the European Union controlling rules on issues including employment, finance, energy and trade.

But the party, which is accused of racism and being out-of-touch in modern Europe, is on course to cause a political “earthquake” according to party leader Nigel Farage.

“UKIP is going to win this election and yes that will be an earthquake because never before in the history of British politics has a party seen as an insurgent party ever topped the polls in a national election,” he said.

Drink up: UKIP leader Nigel Farage reckons his party is on course to deliver a political earthquake.

His party, which wants Britain to exit the European Union, led the election in Britain with 12 seats after half of the 12 regions declared results, three seats ahead of Prime Minister David Cameron’s conservative party.

If UKIP were to win, it would be the first time in over a century that a British national election has not been won by either of the mainstream Conservative or Labour parties.

The Twittersphere is trying to make light of the situation with a hilarious look at the apathy of Britain’s voters and how the party has come to experience a rise in popularity.

#WhyImVotingUkip because I heard they were going to take Britain out of Europe, so I'm hoping they move us somewhere hot like the Caribbean

— Dom McGregor (@Dom_McGregor) May 22, 2014

Sub-type: comment CAPTION: #WhyImVotingUkip because I heard they were going to take Britain out of Europe, so I'm hoping they move us somewhere hot like the Caribbean— Dom McGregor (@Dom_McGregor) May 22, 2014

#WhyImVotingUkip because not even my cats speak English and there's two of them and one of me and I feel marginalised in my own home.

— Thomas Jennings (@24framescast) May 22, 2014

Sub-type: comment CAPTION: #WhyImVotingUkip because not even my cats speak English and there's two of them and one of me and I feel marginalised in my own home.— Thomas Jennings (@24framescast) May 22, 2014

#WhyImVotingUkip is because I saw people on a train doing sign language & when I shouted "Go Back To Signland" they pretended not to hear

— Brian Dooley (@dooley_dooley) May 24, 2014

Sub-type: comment CAPTION: #WhyImVotingUkip is because I saw people on a train doing sign language & when I shouted "Go Back To Signland" they pretended not to hear— Brian Dooley (@dooley_dooley) May 24, 2014

And the #whyImVotingUKIP hashtag, which attracted an avalanche of parody tweets, was erroneously taken seriously by some.

Do people realise that the hashtag #WhyImVotingUkip was meant to be sarcastic...? You wasn't actually meant to vote for them :/

— Adil (@adil786123) May 26, 2014

Sub-type: comment CAPTION: Do people realise that the hashtag #WhyImVotingUkip was meant to be sarcastic...? You wasn't actually meant to vote for them :/— Adil (@adil786123) May 26, 2014

I think some idiots took the #WhyImVotingUkip seriously. It ain't ganna be funny no more when you see yourself in boat heading to Africa.

— Amranaay â™” (@ThatChocoGirl) May 26, 2014

Sub-type: comment CAPTION: I think some idiots took the #WhyImVotingUkip seriously. It ain't ganna be funny no more when you see yourself in boat heading to Africa.— Amranaay â™” (@ThatChocoGirl) May 26, 2014

The awkward moment when #WhyImVotingUkip trends with people taking the piss and then a significant portion of the country actually vote UKIP

— jess clayton (@jessclaayton) May 25, 2014

Sub-type: comment CAPTION: The awkward moment when #WhyImVotingUkip trends with people taking the piss and then a significant portion of the country actually vote UKIP— jess clayton (@jessclaayton) May 25, 2014

So most of those supposedly ironic #WhyImVotingUkip Tweets were actually serious?

— Ryan Benson (@RyanRyanBenson) May 25, 2014

Sub-type: comment CAPTION: So most of those supposedly ironic #WhyImVotingUkip Tweets were actually serious?— Ryan Benson (@RyanRyanBenson) May 25, 2014

if everyone who tweeted something witty abt #WhyImVotingUkip had actually voted then results might have been different.. #useyourvote!

— Minnie Crowe (@minniecrowe) May 25, 2014

Sub-type: comment CAPTION: if everyone who tweeted something witty abt #WhyImVotingUkip had actually voted then results might have been different.. #useyourvote!— Minnie Crowe (@minniecrowe) May 25, 2014

And it seems UKIP is not the only far-right party making an impact.

France’s far-right National Front has also stormed European Parliament polls, sending shock waves across the bloc.

The National Front won about 25 per cent of the vote, easily beating the centre-right UMP on 20 per cent while President Francois Hollande’s Socialists were humbled with only 15 per cent.

The National Front, like other far-right parties across Europe, promote anti-immigrant and often anti-Semitic policies.

If confirmed, it would be the highest ever national vote garnered by the anti-immigration, anti-EU party led by Marine Le Pen, who has promised to shake up the country and the EU.

Despite the Eurosceptic gains, established pro-EU parties were forecast to remain the biggest groups in the parliament. The conservative caucus, known as EPP, was forecast to win 211 seats, down from 274, but enough to remain the parliament’s biggest group.