Anyone who understands politics knows that there are no second prizes. Nevertheless that does not stop large numbers of politicians acting like there are second prizes when it suits them to do so.
Contrary to what the headlines might have you believe, Thursday 2 May was not a great day for UKIP, although I readily acknowledge that it might - just might - turn out to be the beginnings of great things for them.
UKIP does not have and never has had a seat in parliament, and coming second in a byelection does not guarantee that they will ever win a seat. Winning council seats is good, but UKIP does not control and never has controlled a single local authority. I freely admit that they have won more seats than I expected, and it is notable that they are now the second largest party in Lincolnshire - meaning that they will either be the official opposition or else a partner in a ruling coalition.
Nevertheless UKIP may never control a local authority. Seats won this year could easily be lost in a future year, and I strongly suspect that many of them will.
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