It is needless to point out the extreme difficulty UKIP were facing in replacing Nigel Farage; following his resignation in June. Recent events have convinced me it is a problem that as I thought probable weeks ago, is now metamorphosing into a disease that will prove fatal. Leaving aside the obvious reason for UKIP disbanding, mainly that it has achieved its objectives; it could well have continued to function for a short period of time as a battering ram against the Tories.
When the first internal struggle came to light between Farage and Carswell I initially concluded that this was some minor disagreement blown up by the media for propaganda purposes. However not only did these problems refuse to go away, it was soon followed by many other scandals, betrayals and tragedies fit for a graphic novel. It became common knowledge that there were certain anti-Farage movements within the party, the paradigm being similar to the current struggle between the traditional and blairite elements in Labour.
This made me extremely suspicious of the way in which the leadership election was going to develop. With Farage effectively removing himself from having any influence in the election, it showed that the climate was right for the rebels to ensure one of their own was finally instated.
For me, Raheem Kassam had the best qualities to take UKIP forward. He breaks many of the perceived narratives of a UKIPer in that he is young and of an ethnic minority. His ability to debate is his strongest point, putting across his arguments in a sensible and assertive manner that makes him bulletproof to slander and race bating. Raheem was a staunch supporter of Farage and so my first inclinations of electoral prevention were aroused when the announcement was made that candidates had to have five years of membership as opposed to the customary two years to be able to run.
Steven Woolfe being the second most competent leader and a supporter of Farage has also reached a similar fate. Although partly incompetence on his behalf, it was also incompetence on behalf of the party that his application was not processed in time. The party are taking the attitude that the rules would be breeched following the incident if Woolfe were allowed to stand for leadership. Surely they well know this is completely contradictory to the desires of the membership. The rest of the candidates in the leadership bid are rather terrible in contrast with Steven Woolfe, and I think it will be this event that results in the fall of UKIP much sooner than it should have.
The death of UKIP might well be the best result for the future of politics in this country. UKIP’s main problem was always its desire to win parliamentary seats as opposed to bringing down the Conservative party, and now the conservative parties own ideological enemy are dying we might well get the opportunity to construct a more effective weapon in achieving reform.
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