Star comment: UKIP-ers hold keys to election
Surely the time has come for UKIP supporters to think about voting tactically?
If you are for Brexit then it's worth remembering Paul Nuttall will not be around the negotiating table with Brussels – it will be Theresa May.
So those wanting a clean, hard, or strong Brexit – whatever you want to call it – need to consider whether handing Mrs May the biggest majority possible will strengthen her hand.
Surely it makes no sense to split the pro-Brexit vote between the Conservatives and UKIP especially when by Mr Nuttall's own admission the party won't win any major breakthrough?
There are some arguments that a vote for UKIP is a wasted vote and, in fact, will help Tim Farron and his pro-European cabal.
Analysis shows that in seats where the Tories lost narrowly to Labour two years ago there was a high number of UKIP votes such as in Walsall North and Dudley North.
If only a small number of UKIP voters switch to the Conservatives then Theresa May will go into the negotiations in a much stronger position.
It remains to be seen whether the four million people who voted for the party two years ago will stick with them this time round.
June's referendum result was mission complete as far as many Brexiteers were concerned.
Mrs May has certainly picked up the issue and made it her own as she prepares to take us out of the EU.
So where does UKIP go from here?
In the short-term it looks like Mr Nuttall is setting the party up almost as a watchdog on the Government.
But at best this approach has a shelf life of two years.
One of the party's biggest problems is undoubtedly the loss of Nigel Farage from frontline activity.
Although he was a polarising figure nationally, he had charisma and possessed that rare quality amongst politicians of being able to communicate with the man on the street.
It is no coincidence that when Mr Farage went campaigning in pretty much any town in Britain he was mobbed by supporters.
By contrast, Mr Nuttall has been plagued by numerous gaffes which have made him something of a laughing stock.
His latest comments comparing himself to Gandhi will not help matters.
UKIP voters hold the key in this election – it is within their gift whether the Government goes into the Brexit negotiations stronger or weaker.
