We all know ... at least those of us who have an IQ higher than that of a salad bar ... that political promises, like wedding vows,
are "more honoured in the breach than in the observance." But what bugs my ass about politicians is that they "protest too much." ("Hamlet"'s getting quite a work out, eh.
) If some candidate insists over and over that he is "honest" ... mmm "lying sonofabitch" comes to mind. And, over and over, they pledge themselves to do things that are part of their job. "I will represent you" ... that's what you are supposed to do you dumb mother ... that's why you are standing for election.
But I still think that platforms are largely irrelevant. We all know, in a general sense, what we will get from a particular party. Let's take the tories: expect nothing positive on the environment; look for lower corporate taxes and larger loopholes; don't be surprised if some of their rank and file MPs support stricter limitations on abortions, and fewer concessions to gay couples; if you are poor, look to get poorer. So it ain't all that necessary to put forward specific ... mmm ... let's call them "lies".
Maybe UKIP appeals ... like the Scottish "Yes" campaign ... to the heart, rather than to reason. Britons don't want to lose their identity. They don't want that identity to be diluted in a what looks to become a more politically unified Europe (dominated by Germany
).
I think I've mentioned this before, but I don't think Britons, particularly the English are Europeans. I don't know if UKIP is the right thing for the UK. But from what I read, they seem to be the only ones prepared to speak out for Britain as an idea and an ideal. This might just be enough to give them the balance of power after the next General Election.