Without comment

Taken from an AFP report this morning:

If UKIP, which won three seats at the 1999 European elections, maintains its momentum through to the British general elections, expected in 2005, some observers feel it could split the right-wing vote - doing irreparable damage to the Conservatives.

"There's a wonderful prospect for Labour that, if UKIP can really do well and take 10 percent of the vote in the general election, then Labour need never fear for its future again," said Patrick Dunleavy, a professor of government at the London School of Economics.