We Must Take the Fight to the Likes of UKIP & Co

Over recent years we have seen the slow but steady rise of UKIP. Now the UK is not alone in Europe in seeing the rise of anti-EU and anti-immigration political parties to increasing prominence nor can we be certain this rise will prove to be permanent or even fully realised.

          However, over recent months we have seen the "established" political parties in Westminster become increasingly rash and fearful in their response to the UKIP "threat". However, rather than trying to out-UKIP UKIP and continuing to play on UKIP's terms, the political establishment should take the lead in setting the terms of the debate.

          In order to do this we first have to consider why people are voting for the likes of UKIP and Nigel Farage in the first place. Contrary to what many people may believe, I don't believe it is due to any one single issue. Yes, we must work towards reforming the likes of the European Union and yes, we must address the issue of immigration and social integration (although neither of these issues are as simple as some may think), but that's only part of the story. The main Westminster parties must also address the fact that they are increasingly irrelevant and detached from the British public focusing on their own political interests rather than on the long term interest of the country (but that's politicians I suppose). Part of the appeal of UKIP is that people feel that the likes of Nigel Farage understand them and understand their genuine concerns, whether this understanding is real or not is another issue.

          Rather than trying to play UKIP at their own game, we must make the case for reforming the EU but in a way that brings other EU member states on board. This can be done but not if the UK continues to behave in a way that isolates in from the continent. We must drive the reform we need in Europe from Europe's heart and with allies at our side, not isolated on its outskirts.

          In terms of immigration, I think the main issue isn't the fact that people are coming here from around the world (although some may argue otherwise) but rather the fact that these people often don't integrate into British society and put a strain on British infrastructure and employment opportunities. On this issue it is my belief that in order to address this issue, yes we must reform how and who we allow into the UK but we must also invest the infrastructure that Britain so desperately needs including investment in housing, the rail network as well as the energy network. In addition, in terms of the employment opportunities, in the long term we must equip our population with the skills and expertise that the British economy will need in the years and decades to come, something that is yet to be properly addressed. In addition, we must reform the business environment in which companies operate so that they don't have to go looking elsewhere across the globe for the skills they need and they are encouraged and facilitated to build up a skilled home grown work equipped for a 21st century British economy.

          However, as I see it it is unlikely that British politicians will address these issues fundamentally any time in the near future as these are all long term issues that need to be address while politicians often only think as far ahead as the next election which is a real shame.

          Now specifically onto UKIP, UKIP is currently building its support and presence on the real and understandable concerns and fears of the British people. The political establishments failure to properly address these concerns leads people (reasonably I might add) to look for an alternative that will address their concerns and this is where UKIP comes in. Rather than forever trying to play catch up to UKIP the British political establishment must start to lead the debate and lead it on their own terms rather than on those of UKIP. In practical terms this means the established parties stating in plain simple English what they intend to do and to then actually follow through on it. Now it is a fact of life that things don't always turn out the way we want them to so politicians might not always be able to keep to what they say they'll do, but that is why it is important not to over play their hand and why the established parties must be open and honest in their dealings with that British public, but I doubt that's going to happen any time soon. This should include directly addressing the public's concerns head on and with bravery and gusto. However, this may mean a politician or two having to fall on their sword along the way, but it is because of this necessity that I doubt it is ever going to happen. Maybe it's just the cynic in me (but I doubt it) but too many politicians in the modern political age care more about their political careers rather than on the real long term interest of the country in which they serve and this is why so many people have become disenfranchised from the way in which the system operates.

          Personally I think all this is a real issue of shame and regret but is something that I see as unlikely to change any time soon. Well, this blog post has gone on long enough now so I'll end it there. I'll simply finish off by saying thank you for reading (well those who have lasted this long), so until next time, farewell and good bye.

Jason