British Euroskeptics Surge in EU Elections

UKIP is no threat to the EU itself but to the UK's membership in it. Most "Brits" are not willing to be subsumed into an undemocratic superstate that doesn't act in the national interest of member states but seeks to destroy nations and nationhood. Most UKIP supporters are freedom-loving individuals with far more experience of mainland Europe than the average Brit. We wish to trade with the EU, holiday there, buy property and invest there, but we do not wish to be ruled by others -- simple. We love you as equals but not as our masters. --Michael McGough

It appears that UKIP is taking a page from the U.S. Republican Party playbook and promoting the illusion that "going it alone" will somehow help the UK achieve an enhanced "muscular" independence from its EURO partners. But like the U.S. Republican Party, it will come to regret turning its back on its true friends and partners and come crawling back -- when things get rough. --Tom

UKIP is not necessarily right wing; plenty of its support comes from the left. Although it will never gain power at Westminster, it has already managed to get people talking about leaving the EU as a real possibility and thus has shattered 30 years of cozy consensus between the major parties on this issue. The EU will in any case disintegrate under the weight of its own contradictions, corruption, bureaucracy, waste and fraud, but whether the UK can leave before this happens remains to be seen. --Richard Sigrist

Contrary to media reports, most UKIP members and supporters are not racist, fascist or mad. They just look at the arguments about sovereignty, economic advantage etc and draw a logical conclusion - we put in far more than we get back. Why not reverse the net disadvantage and get out? We would still trade with other European counties and would maintain cordial and constructive relations with all. Why is it seen as crazy behaviour - is the idea of self government such a frightening concept? -- George Roberts