The rise of the talk about ‘the irresistable rise’ of UK*P

Much has been said about the irresistable rise of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UK*P as I shall call them) – indeed, far too much. “How has UK*P managed to become the third force in British politics, causing extreme discomfort for the others?” asks Owen Jones in Le Monde Diplomatique, especially when “research suggests that even 75% of UK*P voters do not include the EU among their top three political issues.”

Jones’s answer, that “UK*P prospered because of the anti-immigration backlash, widespread alienation with the political elite, and the failure of the left to provide a coherent alternative that resonates with the broader population”, does not in my opinion adequately address the issue. Much as all this is true and his article full of excellent research and analysis, there are also darker forces at work.