Now that the dust has settled on UKIP’s spectacular success in last week’s local elections the major parties must be wondering about the significance of that success. Many will explain that it was simply a protest vote against the Government, a regular mid-term occurrence, of course. Maybe it was, but that doesn’t explain why the official opposition, Labour, did equally badly? Maybe this time, it was something more than a simple protest vote.
Maybe this time it was an indication that people really are sick and tired of the traditional ruling parties, they are sick of the same old dogma, the same old posturing and the same old lies.
Maybe they are tired of the ruling liberal elite who have no idea of what is going on beyond the confines of their cosy metropolitan coffee shops and wine bars but who condescend and patronise the rest of the country as if they and only they know what is best for us all.
Maybe they are tired of the political correctness and over regulation that together stifle any attempt to succeed in business and create a better life for their families.
Maybe they are tired too of the arrogance, incompetence and corruption of the European Union and the endless delays and broken promises by our politicians in giving us a vote to decide on continued membership of that Union.
Maybe they are sick of unrestricted immigration being forced upon the country without consultation, where people with no connection to this country and who have made no contribution to its well being are given houses, state benefits and unrestricted use of the NHS at the expense of British taxpayers who have contributed to the welfare state throughout their working lives. Maybe they are sick of being called nationalistic or racist when daring to question the wisdom of such a clearly foolish policy.
Maybe they are tired of seeing our state schools churn out hordes of illiterate, ill-educated children with no hope of a decent future.
Maybe they are tired of the fact that the NHS and all other national institutions are clogged up with incompetent and inefficient bureaucrats.
Maybe they are sick of seeing the rights of offenders being put above those of their innocent victims and of seeing criminals given ridiculously lenient sentences where, too often, they are free to reoffend at will.
Maybe that is why they voted against the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Parties.
Maybe they have finally had enough and are ready for a change.
If the result of last week’s elections exposes one truth, it is that if politicians wish to remain in power they need to listen carefully to the needs of the people who elected them into that power in the first place. Listen to them and don’t treat them like children, to be humoured and sent away with a pat on the head and a packet of sweeties.
Common Sense 