Mal Fletcher comments on the recent European elections

His promised public debate on changes to marriage never took place and his promise of a referendum on Europe in 2017 seems too weak or meaningless to satisfy many within his own rank-and-file.

Meanwhile, his offer of an independence vote for the Scots was too hasty for some - and his making the case for a 'no' vote a little too slow.

Nigel Farage has not been fully tested in regard to elitism - he has, as yet, no domestic parliamentary record. But he may well find himself in a similar position to David Cameron if his relatively privileged background as a City commodities trader ever becomes a story in itself.

He will certainly face the charge of elitism if he continues to lead what looks and sounds like a 'one-man-party', or if Ukip's candidates become either too working class or, far worse, too anti-immigrant.

It's highly probable that as Ukip continues to gather steam the more unsavoury elements within it will begin to become more vocal, particularly those who might once have associated themselves with the British Nationalist Party. This will bring another form of elitism to the fore.

Perhaps it was always this way; perhaps we have always been inherently suspicious of those who lead us. However, the viral nature of 24/7 news and social media reinforces perceptions so much more quickly now - and perhaps more deeply, too.

We may also be especially sensitive on this score because of the sour aftertaste that lingers from the MPs expenses scandal and the recent financial meltdown.

In the public mind, certain MPs and money merchants lined their nests while failing, along with financial regulators and EU leaders, to exercise due care and responsibility in the lead-up to the recession.

Once found out, they contributed to a significant confidence deficit when it came to major institutions. As yet, no one can be sure how deeply that loss of trust has seeped into the national psyche.

Whatever its causes, electors of all political persuasions are right now especially weary of political posturing and wary of political promises.

In the age of rampant social media, where hierarchical structures give the appearance of evening-out, elitism is seen as an especially inexcusable flaw.

Ukip and other as yet untested political groups may continue to rise in polls and elections for as long as it is seen to plague the major parties.