LAST week's election were a great success for UKIP. They worked hard for votes, were democratically elected and they deserved what they got. But is this really what UKIP voters want? 

They pushed their immigration policy harder than anything else but UKIP's policy is probably going to create much more immigration  than if this issue had never raised its head. And it's probably deliberate.

When Nigel Farage goes to the EU and speaks about how the British want to close borders and provokes the Government to suggest a referendum on EU membership, he sends out a signal to the people of Eastern Europe and elsewhere in the world that they should move to Britain sooner rather than later because in five years or so it might be too late. Bringing immigrants here quicker, faster and in larger numbers than anticipated. 

This is the complete opposite of what UKIP voters want.  But it does serve UKIP themselves who can say "We were right!". It  makes me suspect that Nigel Farage actually wants more immigrants here so that he can capitalise from this national fear.

Whatever the truth about UKIP's political game it's important that we think hard about the consequences of the actions of those we elect. For us, this may have been about car parking charges, income tax, immigration, services or maybe even the smoking ban. But, for UKIP this was about gaining power. And to do it in any way they can. Most UKIP manifesto issues are populist. They have absolutely no chance in delivering anything on their manifesto at any level at all within the next five to 10 years. Their best chance for success is to wind us up over immigration, discredit all other mainstream parties for inaction over issues that no one can do anything about quickly, and the more immigrants that arrive here the better. Is that what you want?

I cannot think of one political group or politician who ever did their country any good by exploiting people's fears over immigration or minorities to gain power. It is a spiky issue. It will require professional diplomats with the country's best interests at heart who are measured in what they say, when then say it and know when to keep their mouths shut. This is no time for bull in a china shop politicians who send damaging messages to potential immigrants.

– Gordon Elsmore, Bream.