The poll, which asked PRWeek readers: "Does UKIP have a good PR strategy?" received 152 responses, of which 98 responded ‘no’ while 54 said ‘yes’.
UKIP hired former BBC producer Paul Lambert as director of communications earlier this month.
Lambert has a job on his hands attempting to form a coherent strategy while negotiating the minefield of off-hand remarks made by everyone from Nigel Farage downwards.
Since the start of December, Farage has been embroiled in controversy for saying that women breastfeeding in public should sit in a corner and for implying that immigrants clogging up the M4 were the reason he was late for a conference.
Meanwhile, in the party at large, UKIP’s general secretary, Roger Bird was suspended over claims, which he denies, of inappropriate conduct towards a prospective parliamentary candidate.
A second PPC, Kerry Smith, resigned after recordings were leaked of him making homophobic and racist comments.
Meanwhile, Rozanne Duncan, a UKIP councillor on Thanet District Council, was expelled from the party for "jaw dropping" comments, yet to be revealed, which she made during filming for a BBC2 documentary about UKIP.
PRWeek readers engaged with our poll with humour with one quipping:
@prweekuknews Why isn't there an option for 'What? Really? Ukip actually has a PR strategy?!' ;]
— Sarah C (@spookyjulie) December 18, 2014
While some clearly thought UKIP gaffes were doing the party more good than harm.
@prweekuknews Clearly they don't have a PR strategy as such - they don't need one - their critics are doing great PR for them daily! #ukip
— mike love (@therealitygap) December 17, 2014
@prweekuknews I think it works well for their target demographic. The "bad" publicity only seems to increase their appeal.
— Penny Walshe (@Penny_Walshe) December 17, 2014
Others simply made unkind remarks about crisis comms.
@prweekuknews Ukip actually have a pr strategy?? I thought it was just a long running crisis comms plan
— Karen Lobo-Morell (@KarenLoboMorell) December 17, 2014
