Ukip is hosting the first public day of its autumn conference today, in Doncaster. And if there's one thing you can rely on Ukip for, its making a scene. If you haven't had time to religiously follow the every utterance of Nigel Farage, here are some highlights from the day so far:
An attack on Jeremy Corbyn
Nigel Farage told the conference today that the new Labour leader was a "gift" to his campaign. He claims to be unworried by the left-winger despite claims from Corbyn supporters that Corbyn's unpretentious style and social justice-focused policy platform can attract back Labour voters who have defected to Farage. Writing for Prospect Matthew Goodwin, co-author of Revolt on the Right, the definitive book on the Ukip surge, sort of agrees.An actual Nigel Farage tattoo
Political journalists have got very excited about this lady, who has had the commander of the "people's army's" face tattooed on her arm.Nigel Farage has just met the woman who has a tattoo of him on her arm. Farage: "Astonishing" pic.twitter.com/ZE0518Rqzj
— Michael Deacon (@MichaelPDeacon) September 25, 2015
BREAKING: the woman with Nigel Farage tattooed on her right arm has Robert Smith from The Cure on her left arm pic.twitter.com/xmSYOzoXOL — Michael Deacon (@MichaelPDeacon) September 25, 2015
Farage or Robert Smith: which is the bigger hero? "I think Nigel. They're different, aren't they? Robert Smith is more of a creative artist" — Michael Deacon (@MichaelPDeacon) September 25, 2015
A controversial Katie Hopkins fringe event
The controversial columnist Katie Hopkins has been speaking at a fringe event at the conference. She has told ITV that the infamous photo of drowned Syrian boy Aylan Kurdi was "staged." There were apparently some other choice quotes from Hopkins:Hopkins' well-considerd points on Lady Mone and gassing the Lords. http://t.co/9FWJLq6ehupic.twitter.com/cDjDqphvcy — Jamie Ross (@JamieRoss7) September 25, 2015
The usual top-of-the-range merchandise
Ukip conference has become legendary among journalists for the proliferation of flashy Ukip-branded merchandise. This year seems to be no exception. (This is BuzzFeed's Jim Waterson's classic discovery from last year)UKIP conference. Will spend it avoiding man with this 'I'm not racist cupboard' in case he tries to make me buy it. https://t.co/Ht7MBRWuYL — Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) September 24, 2015
My wife is going to be thrilled when she sees the necklace I've bought her pic.twitter.com/picBpneY4Q — Michael Deacon (@MichaelPDeacon) September 25, 2015
Ukip conference refreshments: purple and yellow anti-EU slush puppies pic.twitter.com/D9TIWgZboy
— Michael Deacon (@MichaelPDeacon) September 25, 2015
Either someone laced my cornflakes with LSD, or this is the UKIP Teddy Army. pic.twitter.com/DYkMMZmWxh
— Robert Hutton (@RobDotHutton) September 25, 2015
Sticking to the day job?
Farage has told the BBC that leaving the EU would be the focus of the conference, not Ukip. Two anti-EU campaigns, the "for Britain" campaign and "The Know," are appearing at the conference today. Most public debate around Ukip is focused on what role the party can or should play in the fight to take Britain out of Europe—some feel Farage is too divisive a figure, while he insists that arguments for controlled immigration will be at the heart of the debate, and he should have a public role delivering them. Meanwhile, though, someone does need to keep an eye on the party itself; with local elections across Britain coming up next year, they need to ensure a strong showing.And finally...
There's something slightly embarrassing about the choice of doncaster racecourse for the conference venue, as the Lib Dems are pointing out:Irony alert: #UKIP conference facilities were paid for by European funding (p.8) http://t.co/TpJSXtb4EDpic.twitter.com/3cAj4Rte6U — Paul Haydon (@Paul_Haydon) September 25, 2015
