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Smaller parties sense big opportunity Smaller parties sense big opportunity
(1 day later)
By Mike Sergeant Political correspondent, BBC NewsBy Mike Sergeant Political correspondent, BBC News
The big landscapes in the East of England are open battlegrounds in these elections.The big landscapes in the East of England are open battlegrounds in these elections.
UKIP are running a classic election campaign in the East of EnglandUKIP are running a classic election campaign in the East of England
With the Westminster parties distracted and demoralised, others sense an opportunity.With the Westminster parties distracted and demoralised, others sense an opportunity.
These vast, flat fields are perfect for the many wind farms. And the Green Party say their supporters are energised.These vast, flat fields are perfect for the many wind farms. And the Green Party say their supporters are energised.
Under solar panels in an eco cafe in Norwich, the party's deputy leader Adrian Ramsay talks of winning a European seat in the region for the first time.Under solar panels in an eco cafe in Norwich, the party's deputy leader Adrian Ramsay talks of winning a European seat in the region for the first time.
"On the doorsteps, I'm finding a lot of people wanting to vote against the Westminster parties and understandably so. People are looking to vote for us as a positive alternative", he says."On the doorsteps, I'm finding a lot of people wanting to vote against the Westminster parties and understandably so. People are looking to vote for us as a positive alternative", he says.
To the south west in Cambridgeshire, the UK Independence Party has been campaigning hard. UKIP also hopes to exploit the expenses scandal.To the south west in Cambridgeshire, the UK Independence Party has been campaigning hard. UKIP also hopes to exploit the expenses scandal.
Pete Reeve, the party's regional organiser wants to talk about the misuse of public money - both at Westminster, and in Brussels.Pete Reeve, the party's regional organiser wants to talk about the misuse of public money - both at Westminster, and in Brussels.
Classic campaignClassic campaign
He says "Lots of people are upset about expenses but when we point out how much money is being wasted in Europe - £40m a day - people are absolutely flabbergasted".He says "Lots of people are upset about expenses but when we point out how much money is being wasted in Europe - £40m a day - people are absolutely flabbergasted".
The UKIP effort on a sunny morning in Ramsey looks like the classic political campaign.The UKIP effort on a sunny morning in Ramsey looks like the classic political campaign.
Babies are duly kissed, the flesh is pressed and the lead candidate cruises around in his party vehicle - emblazoned with a massive poster of Winston Churchill (controversially used by the party, say some).Babies are duly kissed, the flesh is pressed and the lead candidate cruises around in his party vehicle - emblazoned with a massive poster of Winston Churchill (controversially used by the party, say some).
People are cross with our politicians, we want people to put a cross for us Sir Paul Judge, Jury Team EAST OF ENGLAND CANDIDATES ConservativeUK Independent PartyLabourLiberal DemocratGreenBNPEnglish DemocratsSocialist Labour PartyChristianNo2EUJury TeamLibertasUK FirstAnimals CountPetrer Rigby class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8040409.stm">In Full: East of England candidates
Of course, UKIP had quite a few of its own problems even before the current furore over MPs expenses. Of course UKIP had quite a few of its own problems even before the current furore over Mps expenses.
The departure of its best known face, Robert Killroy-Silk was followed by the expulsion of one of its MEPs. He was later convicted of benefit fraud. One of its candidates to be an MEP last time was expelled from the party and later convicted of benefit fraud.
Then there was the high-profile departure of its best known face - Robert Killroy Silk.
But the party still hopes to improve on its impressive showing at the last set of European elections five years ago, when it won 12 seats.But the party still hopes to improve on its impressive showing at the last set of European elections five years ago, when it won 12 seats.
That is going to be very tough ask. But party managers say they think it can be done.That is going to be very tough ask. But party managers say they think it can be done.
'Godly solutions''Godly solutions'
Less well-established parties have tended to do much better in European than general elections - because the results are more proportional to the votes cast. Lots of others are trying to elbow their way into the leading political pack.Less well-established parties have tended to do much better in European than general elections - because the results are more proportional to the votes cast. Lots of others are trying to elbow their way into the leading political pack.
Rev George Hargreaves, leader of the Christian Party, who drove their campaign bus into Westminster on Friday, said: "There's a lot of hope for the future", adding "There are Godly solutions out there and we want to bring those forward".Rev George Hargreaves, leader of the Christian Party, who drove their campaign bus into Westminster on Friday, said: "There's a lot of hope for the future", adding "There are Godly solutions out there and we want to bring those forward".
Adrian Ramsay thinks the Green Party's time has come
The Jury Team are a gathering of assorted independent candidates. They are a kind of party for people who don't really like parties.The Jury Team are a gathering of assorted independent candidates. They are a kind of party for people who don't really like parties.
"People are cross with our politicians, we want people to put a cross for us," says the Jury Team's Sir Paul Judge unveiling a huge campaign poster."People are cross with our politicians, we want people to put a cross for us," says the Jury Team's Sir Paul Judge unveiling a huge campaign poster.
Adrian Ramsay thinks the Green Party's time has come
And there is Libertas - the party calling for a new, more democratic, more open European Union.And there is Libertas - the party calling for a new, more democratic, more open European Union.
Speaking for Libertas, Allie Wharf says "a party like ours will give you your voice back. We're not dirty. We're not mired in sleaze like a lot of the others". Speaking for Libertas, Allie Wharf says "a party like our's will give you your voice back. We're not dirty. We're not mired in sleaze like a lot of the others".
The other parties contesting the elections in the East of England are the British National Party, No2EU, the English Democrats, the Socialist Labour Party, UK First, Animals Count and one independent.
So will some of these less well known parties break through on this occasion?So will some of these less well known parties break through on this occasion?
There is not much conclusive polling evidence to suggest the political establishment is quite being turned on its head.There is not much conclusive polling evidence to suggest the political establishment is quite being turned on its head.
Certainly peoples' loyalty to the big three - of Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems - is being severely tested.Certainly peoples' loyalty to the big three - of Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems - is being severely tested.
But rather than turn to some of the alternatives, many potential voters could just stay at home.But rather than turn to some of the alternatives, many potential voters could just stay at home.
Either way, public revulsion over MPs expenses will shape the results of these elections.Either way, public revulsion over MPs expenses will shape the results of these elections.