For the press, it's fine to support UKIP's principles, but not UKIP. How telling.

Any follower of the British press will notice how anti-UKIP they have become recently. There are some exceptions, such as the Daily Express, largely down to Patrick O'Flynn's influence as chief political commentator. However, the rest of the press has been attacking Farage and his party as out-of-touch, sexist, racist, whatever.
      Ah, well that's fine isn't it? I hear you cry. About time the Mail et al adopted some more progressive stances. Indeed, if this had been the right-wing press discovering a liberal bent it would be very welcome. But it's not. It's a hypocritical about-turn which is frankly sickening to see.
      I'm no UKIP supporter, although I do believe we should withdraw from the EU, but the fact is the Right of  the British press has spent the best part of this century attacking 'lefty liberals', immigrants, the poor, 'soft justice' and practically any disadvantaged group they can find. They have created the perfect atmosphere for UKIP to flourish, with the British public being persuaded that we have a rising tide of threatening immigration being exacerbated by a liberal elite. Is it any wonder the anti-establishment, anti-immigration, anti-government spending UKIP have been able to thrive?
    But here's the thing, the press were fine with this while UKIP were a joke, they continued to spread their poison as they did not believe they could ever become a contender. However, as soon as UKIP have begun to threaten their precious Tory party they've been quick on the attack. And the reason? Plain and simple, Fleet Street wants to protect their financial interests and their sway on politics, and there is no one better way to do this than by keeping the Conservative party in power. Even though they added to UKIP's rise and write in support of its principles, they want to destroy it as it threatens their power and privilege. Sickening.