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Ukip’s staggering performance in the recent European Parliament elections may push Scotland to vote for independence , because of the view it is an "English party", according to a senior academic.
Baron Tony Giddens' comments come after the euro-sceptic party gained 27.5 per cent of the vote in the European Parliament poll- the first time a national election has not been won be either the Conservatives or Labour for 100 years.
During a speech at the Hay Festival, the former head of the London School of Economics described Ukip’s victory as a“howl of pain” by members of the electorate who see the EU as part of the “forces of cosmopolitism” which "impinge" on them.
Lord Giddens used the result to warn that if the UK lost Scotland's electorate in September's referendum, Britain could leave the European Union and revert back to Nigel Farage’s “beer and fags society of the Fifties”, the Telegraph reported.
Show all 34 1 /34In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage celebrates with a pint after early local election results in the Hoy and Helmet pub in South Benfleet in Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Ukip leader Nigel Farage stands on stage after being re-elected as an MEP flanked by fellow Ukip MEPs Janice Atkinson (R) and Diane James (L)
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In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage on stage after being re-elected as an MEP as the South East England region results of the European Parliament elections
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In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage (L) jokes with a TV crew before an interview at the declaration of the South East England region results of the European Parliament elections
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In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Ukip leader Nigel Farage sits with fellow candidates Janice Atkinson (L), Diane James (second right) and Ray Finch (R) as the South East England region results of the European Parliament elections are declared by the returning officer at Southampton Guildhall
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In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 A defaced UKIP poster showing the faces of Nigel Farage, David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg in Sheffield
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Labour leader Ed Miliband is greeted by supporters and councillors at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford, Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Labour leader Ed Miliband shake hands with supporters and councillors at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford, Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 David Cameron and his wife Samantha Cameron arrive at the Polling Station in Westminster Central Hall to cast their vote in the European and Local Elections in London
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nick Clegg leaves his home after disappointing results in the UK Local elections in London
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage leaves a polling station near Biggin Hill
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Council staff count votes from local elections at Trinity School in Croydon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Council staff count votes from local elections at Trinity School in Croydon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) members wait for results of local election during the counting of votes at Trinity School in Croydon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 A ballot box containing votes in local elections is emptied at Trinity School in Croydon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 A member of the Labour Party sleeps during the counting of votes in local elections at Trinity School in Croydon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Cut-outs of the electoral wards in the Borough of Croydon are prepared to be placed on a map of the borough whilst votes in local elections continue to be counted at Trinity School
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 David Cameron talks during a campaign rally in Ealing
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nick Clegg leaves after casting his vote at the Hall Park Centre, Sheffield
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 A Conservative Party supporter gets ready for a campaign ally in Ealing
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 David Cameron shakes a supporters hand during a Conservative party campaign rally in Ealing
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nick Clegg walks past a bus stop to cast his vote at the Hall Park Centre, Sheffield
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg speaks to the media upon leaving The Cabinet Office, Whitehall
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nick Clegg talks to residents on Weybourne Drive as he delivers Liberal Democrats Party leaflets in Bredbury in Stockport
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage with supporters following good results in local elections in South Ockendon
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Early local election results announced overnight show subsantial gains for UKIP
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 UKIP voters celebrate while waiting for Nigel Farage
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage meets supporters during a visit to South Ockendon, Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 A supporter gives the thumb-up for UKIP leader Nigel Farage as the latter prepares to leaves Thurrock in Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 British Labour Party leader Ed Miliband speaks to journalists outside his house in North London
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Ed Miliband and his wife Justine leave a polling station after they casting their votes in Sutton, south Yorkshire
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage gives a media interview before leaving his home in Cudham, Kent
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Nigel Farage celebrates with two supporters during a visit to Basildon, Essex
In pictures: Local and European election results 2014 Local and European election 2014 Farage's party could be on track to win the biggest share of British votes in elections for the European Parliament
“The success of Ukip could tip the balance for an independent Scotland,” he said.
“Personally I hope the Scots will stay in because I think ‘better together’ is a good strategy. But in reality we don’t know what will happen and referendums are unpredictable.
“Scotland thinks Ukip is an English party.
“If Scotland left and there is a European referendum then you might lose two to three million pro-Europe votes,” he added.
However, he did not predict the Ukip could repeat its success in the 2015 general election.
“The impact of Ukip is formidable but that impact will not be felt in the general election.
“They will have an impact on British politics but probably not as great as they have had over the last few days," he said.
Lord Giddens also cautioned against UK leaving the EU, and said that its “global influence” would “shrink”.
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