David Cameron claims the recent remarks by Theresa May on immigration are not the Conservative Party tipping towards UKIP but “taking the common ground”.
With Labour moving hard left and the Conservatives increasingly taking up position on the right, it seems to be a common refrain that the “centre” is wide open ground for UKIP to take.
The question one might ask is: what exactly is the common ground?
I suggest it is not the middle, not some contrived alternative on every issue; that way leads to spineless and sycophantic politics as ably demonstrated by the Liberal Democrats and for which they have rightly been punished.
I suggest to you that the common ground is actually “Common Sense” as advocated by UKIP; it is the selection of what is the right thing to do, by means of principle and pragmatism.
The UKIP manifesto at the general election was rightly lauded as the best of all the parties; it invited people to join a party that spoke to them on the issues that concerned them, with real solutions to their problems.
It first and foremost recognised the issues, then showed the fiscal discipline to develop that strong and robust economy and the caring heart to make sure we look after everyone in society.
UKIP did not lose the election on our policies or manifesto; it is just that the election came around too soon for us to effectively communicate them.
It is tempting to suggest that the party should try to accelerate the process, however I believe that slow and steady wins the race, and it will be the constant adherence to the right policies that will see the party through in the end.
The general public are already beginning to see UKIP for what it really is. They will begin to understand and appreciate the party’s core values, and it seems as if the opposition is beginning to realise it too.
In the Matrix film, there is the line: “Do not try and bend the spoon. That’s impossible. Instead… only try to realise the truth.”
UKIP has consistently managed to tell the truth, in this way, the centre will bend towards it.
As I heard Nigel Farage say in a recent interview: “When you are on the right side of the argument; you usually win.”
UKIP is on the right side of the argument when it comes to the referendum, but take note of that word above: “usually”!
It is clear the party has a fight on its hands, so with Conservatives to the “right” of them, Labour to the left of them, Liberals in no-mans-land, into the valley of the EU, let the purple brigade ride.
To deliver the dream, we must exit the EU and go global.