SIR – Almost every political commentator seems to have accepted without question Nigel Farage’s claim that the Heywood and Middleton by-election result shows that his party is equally capable of making progress in the North of England.

Yet Labour increased its share of the vote, and had it not been for significant defections from both the Tories and Lib Dems, Ukip would once again be languishing among the also-rans.

Ukip, like many other populist movements, is little more than a one-man band whose appeal will quickly fade when it is realised that Mr Farage is pursuing an agenda which advances his personal prejudices rather than addressing the needs of our country as a whole.

Brian Holmans, Langley Road, Bingley