Britain's Tea Party

The election in Rochester and Strood is, if the Telegraph and other sources are correct, is a foregone conclusion. Britain is about to see a second UKIP seat in the Commons and there is sure to be fallout that will overshadow next year’s elections. No one has said it, but isn’t the purple party essentially Britain’s tea party? Just as America’s tea party is just a radical right splinter of the Republican Party, hard-core U-kippers are just disgruntled Tories by another name.

Like the Tea Party, UKIP will enjoy its day in the sun, but can anyone seriously think this one-issue party can ever have staying power?

The real reason for the party’s success is a lack of leadership on either side of the aisle in the Commons. In spite of their missteps, the Cameron government could have little to fear in next year’s elections, if the Tories are saavy enough. With leadership that is rudderless and milquetoast, Labour offers no real alternative and in spite of all the media fanfare because it is such an easy story for reporters to write, UKIP is only slightly more a legitimate contender than the Monster Raving Looney Party. Six months is a long time in politics. If the Conservatives can win back those Tory hardliners leaning toward the Purple end of the pitch, it could easily find itself in power without need of a coalition.

Your move, Mr. Cameron.