Whisper it, but the Farage factor is protecting politics

Chris Chambers argues that Nigel Farage is an “incredibly important part of politics in Britain” and that we ” should be thankful that Ukip provide another perspective”.

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Nigel Farage, leader of Ukip. Photo: Wikipedia

“Does the U.K. need to pull out of the E.U. to have control over immigration?”

This was the question posed to representatives from the five major political parties on an episode of the BBC’s Question Time in May. Four of the representatives responded in very much the same way. That is to say, they avoided the question entirely. Labour’s Chuka Umunna was particularly skilled at missing the point, explaining quite correctly how immigrants enrich our country without ever being in danger of having to admit the truth. And the rigmarole of responses which proceeded from the Conservatives Grant Shapps, the Green Party M.P. Caroline Lucas and Liberal peer Shirley Williams illustrated exactly why politicians reputations are as bad as England are at football. One man, however, answered the question.

Love him or loathe him, Ukip leader Nigel Farage is an incredibly important part of politics in Britain. Farage addresses the difficult questions. His party is putting pressure on those in power and have been invaluable in providing a counterbalance in the E.U. debate.

“Either you want to have an immigration policy, or you don’t”

“Controlled immigration can be a big net benefit to Britain…but we have no control”

Farage’s popularity stems from the fact that he has a strong and clear opinion on one very important issue. There is no question that the Ukip manifesto is a chocolate teapot, yet the party makes legitimate points about exactly what being a member of the European Union entails. It is a worrying reality that this government, and much like the Labour Party at present, do not connect with the people. Farage has no such problem. Why? Put simply, he is honest. Or rather, he appears to be. With Nigel Farage and Ukip, you know what to expect: strong points backed up with evidence and reality. The most transparent line of the entire hour of May 8th’s broadcast came from the Ukip leader;

“We have signed up…to a complete and total open door”

Regardless of whether you are a supporter of the E.U. or not, Farage is right. And the central worry for the political establishment, of course, is that the public knows it.

In every election and referendum, it is the duty of voters to give careful consideration to where their ‘X’ goes. Whether you like Farage or his party is irrelevant. What is relevant, however, is some of his points. Politicians and voters who dismiss Ukip and Farage as ignorant racists and troublemakers are guilty of becoming complacent. The wonderful reality of the media giving this Marmite, and let’s be frank, fringe party and its eccentric leader so much attention is that it reminds us not to be complacent. The establishment are trying, rather disappointingly, to discredit Ukip wherever possible. Stubborn and complacent voters are doing much the same. Farage doesn’t care. In fact, this treatment suits him perfectly because it proves that no one has real retorts to his arguments, especially those concerning Europe.

It is time we stop dismissing Ukip and the millions of Brits who voted for them. Voters should be thankful that Ukip provide another perspective. They provide another choice. Even more importantly, they are not a useless fringe party who exist without ever making an impact. They put pressure on the three major parties to stop being complacent with the voting public. And maybe, most importantly of all, Farage and his party are setting the example of how to connect with the voting public. Don’t expect to wait long for Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem to follow suit.

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