UKIP IN DECLINE OR ASCENDANCY

From over here in Spain I watch the progress of #UKIP with interest. I've admired the honesty of its leader, its broad appeal to the UK electorate, and its growing support.

I, too, have very little doubt that the #U.K. would be better off outside of the EU. But how will it extricate itself?  Who will say that a referendum producing a majority in favour of leaving the EU, is a guarantee that the #U.K. will actually leave the E.U? 

 A #UKIP government would appear to be the only sure way of  waving the EU, but not its people,  goodbye.

But can UKIP ever expect to form a government? Or will it simply become just another pressure group? Is #UKIP in decline or ascendancy? 

It seems to me that unfortunately #UKIP's political profile, is perceived as immature by some quite influential people. Some of these people are in Industry, some are in other countries, some politicians, and some form part of the U.K. electorate.  Of course there are other groups. 

For example who would deny that in a peaceful country no political party gets to govern unless it has a sound relationship with that country's Civil Service? #UKIP need to work on this.  Whatever the certainty of their feelings towards the Civil Service and the #PublicSector generally,  #UKIP needs to show some political maturity and get to grips with these issues. I believe UKIP's leadership already understand this; but maybe its grass-roots have some growing to do?

I recall that when I last wrote from Spain voicing some gentle criticism relating to the ebullient Mr Bloom, I was savaged by several grass-roots UKIP members who suggested I would do well to remain in Spain!!  Perhaps not the best way to treat an occasionally supportive political commentator - and definitely immature politically, bless them!!  "Not helpful" as the Minister would say!    

UKIP is already a useful and quite successful agent for change.  But it knows that's not enough to achieve its main objective.  

#Cameron, #Clegg and #Milliband and their very influential industrial and commercial colleagues, and the #CivilService, appear to be stuck to the EU with superglue....well that's how some perceive things!  #UKIP seems to be the only U.K. party hoping to break the apparent bonds.  But to do so, should they first think about changing how they are perceived? A UKIP Government might then become a real possibility rather than a remote hope? 

Of course, without a disciplined approach, this could turn into an impossible struggle. But who will blame me for wishing any well-motivated politician good fortune in their endeavours?

Oh........and to any UKIP supporters who feel uncomfortable with these comments, I apologise! Follow the example of your leader Mr #Farage and express views intelligently, from a soundly researched base, and with political maturity.

MARKETS WOBBLE AGAIN AS SPAIN STRUGGLES

Sorry to be so simplistic but it really is time for struggling European countries to revert to their own currencies - and their own unhindered governance. (N.B. if you would like a grand view of what's wrong with Europe then look up Nigel Farage on YouTube)

So, who knows how to govern Spain best?  Certainly not a multi-national European coalition of "experts" cavorting under the influence of a wasteful European Parliament ! Who then?  Why the Spanish people of course!! 

Likewise the other financially struggling countries of Europe - Portugal, Greece, Italy, and Ireland - each know best how their people will react, and what is really needed to get each of their countries through these difficult financial times.  But they have very little say in matters. Look at Greece for example.  

We can guess what will happen when shortly representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Commission (EC), and the European Central Bank (ECB) swoop.  They're going to check up on the poor buggers' recent performance.  I'm going to wager that not much has changed ( bless the Greek people and jolly good luck to them ) and the so the Representatives will leave dissatisfied and in a dilemma. To be frank, I would like to see the EC and the ECB despatched with a flea in their ears. ( I see the IMF in a quite different, more favourable, light - but maybe that's a blog for another day.) 

Left alone to govern their country, and reverting to their own currency,I am sure the resourceful Greek people would find an acceptable solution to things.  That is a solution acceptable to the Greek people; not a solution acceptable to the rest of the collapsing Eurozone participants. 

Wow ! How splendid would it be to see the courageous, proud, and magnificent Spanish and Portuguese revert to their own currencies and then deal, without interference, with their own issues absolutely through their own Parliaments?

COLLAPSE OF THE EURO AND THE EUROZONE

I can't help thinking this is the calm before the storm.  Have you noticed there is almost a news blackout on the struggling European countries and their economies? It's almost as though Greece, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, and Spain no longer have any financial problems !! Ponder this for a moment.  Is it all too good to be true?

True there are some parts of Europe where confidence is returning.  But therein lies the problem. Now is the time the stronger countries of the Eurozone could contemplate "pulling up the ladder."  They will see a way forward for themselves but not for their weaker Eurozone partners.  How strong Eurozone loyalty when really put to the test ?

No this is the calm before the storm.  What form of storm might well be the issue.  Watch this space.

SPAIN - WHAT IS HAPPENING TO IT ?

Poor old Spain.  It really is struggling.  Take some time and walk around the southern coastal areas.  What's evident?  What's evident is that a lot of building has been going on over the past few years but a lot of selling has not.  .......O.K.  When was the last time you saw loads of Spanish tourists outside of Spain?  Well there are some; mostly in USA.  But the average Spaniard seems to take a flat by the sea and hang out there when they have the time.  And who can blame them when they have such a beautiful country and coastline?   In their droves over the last twenty years or so other Europeans cashing in on the beauty seem to have purchased similar flats, duplexes and better.  But no longer.  Building has come to a virtual standstill.  So if you do want to buy property in Spain it's there for the taking.  Well, there for the taking when the unfortunate owners are eventually forced to sell because of their particular predicament.   Now on its own this is not necessarily anything to get worked up about..  Taken with other evidence of stagnation it may be.  Unemployment seems to be at a dangerously high level, and in particular a high level in the younger age groups.  Poor quality graffiti also appears to be at an all time high, and coupled with beautiful streets defaced with doggy dos ( my euphemism is an attempt at being kind ) I begin to wonder what has happened to Spanish pride.  It's the possible loss of pride which is the major concern.  There's a lot of talk about the Greek, Italian and Spanish problems.  And Spain I'm led to believe would be last of these three to fall.  Well let's hope that none of them "fall".  But sadly I wouldn't bet on it.

THERE'S A LOT OF IT ABOUT.......

E.coli.  Not something to joke about.  Already it seems 18 have died and around 1500 are infected.  The common link appears to be that all the poor souls live in, or have travelled to, Germany.  And initially a suggestion the infection came from Spain transported on the skins of Cucumbers.  Well I'm not entirely sure that was the case. And having first been so assertive about it, the German authorities now appear to be revising their stance.

The infection is new according to the Robert Koch Institute ( thankfully one "k" and a "c" rather than two "c's" and a "k" ) and could well last for months.  The Russians have banned all the stuff and Spain are now seeking compensation from the E.U ( N.B. not the German Government who seemed to have stoked things up for the rest of us ) .   Ah.......happy times.