News from the New Party

Norwich speaks

The large swing to the Conservatives which deprived the Labour Party of the Norwich North seat earlier today is only a part of the story of this by-election.  Just as in the European elections seven weeks ago, a full 25% of the voters who turned out chose to vote for one of the Green Party, UKIP or the BNP.  Furthermore, although the turnout itself was low for a by-election (around 45%), this was still higher than the turnout in the Euros.

What this tells us is that the people are not apathetic where politics is concerned - on the contrary they are antipathetic to the traditional parties.  Decades of incompetence, neglect and arrogant careerism from our political class have culminated first in the expenses scandal, and now in a wave of anger which continues to reject the politics of the past.  Can this continue to the next election, and what will it mean if it does? 

The people are still angry - and they won't be ignored any more.