THE history of human evolution during the past 2,000 years is full of examples of peoples gathered together, whether in tribes or nations, being given a choice and picking the wrong way forward.
Sometimes the ultimate consequence turns out to be a disappointment.
Sometimes it breeds a disaster. For an illustration think of Germany. The Germans did not have to make Hitler their leader, but they did.
Ukip’s recent electoral success is a wake-up call for the former three main political parties and the entire nation. Politics is all about the management of what is possible – or “what can we get away with”, if you are cynical enough about such things. Politicians are the people we pick to act for us for five years or so. We hope they will be fair and reasonable. We trust them not to do anything silly, but often they let us down. Being disappointed, we kick our governments out and elect a new lot to manage those few things that are truly within our own control, come what may.
It now seems likely that the Conservative Party will break itself in two at the general election over Europe.
If ever we needed convincing proof that proportional representation is needed to rescue our nation from its fringe fundamentalists, Ukip’s success rings the alarm bells loud and clear.
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