Nigel Farage in 2013

A breakthrough year as UKIP established itself as a major force in British politics.

Key Events

  • UKIP won nearly 150 council seats in local elections
  • Party achieved 23% in one national opinion poll
  • David Cameron dismissed UKIP as "fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists"
  • Farage demanded an EU referendum
  • Increased pressure on Cameron to address EU membership
  • UKIP became the third party in UK politics by some measures