We are, of course, very pleased that UKIP members or, at least, those who have bothered to vote managed to elect the best candidate, to wit Lord Pearson of Rannoch, something of a hero to this blog.

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So, slightly bizarre discontinuity seeing your name on the forum post here, Richard. ;)

It's an interesting development, if Farage can keep from meddling, because he's a damn good speaker and probably would have better served the party as a spokesman rather than a leader. At least that's how it seems to me.

I suppose it can't hurt their electoral chances either, having someone like Pearson on board. But I suppose on the other hand he'll be dismissed as a "racist" or some such fairly soon for supporting the irascible Geert Wilders, who so threatened the peace of our fair and free land with his... words, the rascal.

Lord Pearson of Anorak... lacks the charisma of the Farrago but has more depth. Will play well with REAL Conservatives in the 50+ age bracket, but will have little impact beyond.

Camoron should be worried, I think.

Is he a climate sceptic? A great opportunity

A person of real substance whom has achieved outside of politics.

I might even rejoin now.

I am saddened at the waste of such an excellent talent. As much as I am very disillusioned with Cameron over Lisbon and The EU, I know how important a big Tory victory is neccessary. Destroy Labour then UKIP would have a chance.

Helen, you say: "Now that's something we have not seen in these parts before."

Did you not mean to post "Now that's something we have not seen far age(s)?

We need to destroy Labour and the Tories. And the Libs for good measure.

With them out of the way we can get on with electing a proper set of leaders.

Anyone with talent is wasting it inside the Tory party .

Destroy the Tories, Labour and LibDims. Stop this stupid tribalism ("vote Tory to get the others out ").

The BBC says Lord Pearson defected from the Conservative party. I`d say the Conservative party has defected from its voters . It`s led by a spiv who renages on his promises.

He was on Ch.4 news and within a minute or so was going on about "Islam". I'm sure there'll be a lot of sympathy for his moderate views on the subject but this was his moment to expose the elephant in the room. The media have once again managed to distract from the real issue for a cheap hit which is what this blog and Booker have brought to our attention and continually exposed.

Boo ! What about the six foot four bird ?

He was given an example of what to expect every time he appears by Guru Murthy. All assumptions will be questioned and attempts will be made to divert and re-frame at every turn.

He needs to focus clearly on the message that Britain is a Sovereign Nation with a Sovereign, not a province. He should openly question the Queen's current position in a land where she is over-ruled from abroad.

Good idea, hopefully make HM a bit indignant as well.

I do hope that the Noble Lord can inject some authority into UKIP, it would be good for all of us. I understand that he is against the EU, for Grammar Schools and sceptical of AGW. that would certainly get my vote. Slippery Cameron will not get my vote, although I was a convinced "conservative" for many years, holding my nose when having to vote for the Heath party.