Autocratic and authoritarian states, especially the likes of China, will feel confident that their methods of running a country are far more superior than so-called liberal democracies.
While China is certainly a totalitarian state with one party rule, it maintains stability and plans for the long term without the interference of petty squabbles from various political factions interfering with its long term goals.
And while there are few that would advocate a similar type of government in developing and established democracies, the chaos that has been observed in recent months and years in the US, Europe and parts of Asia only strengthens China's resolve that their system is better.
Immigration has become the rallying call for the 'far-right' across Europe too. While Britain is struggling to solve the issue of 'small boats' landing on its beaches and the problem of dealing with processing them, so too is mainland Europe.
There are perceptions and realities concerning mass migration. It would not be untrue to say that some migrants have brought problems. Some have been found guilty of criminal activity following their arrival. Others have, however, integrated into society and contributed in a meaningful way.
There is of course a cost to all immigrants arriving 'illegally' - shorthand for not having applied ahead of time for asylum. All asylum seekers have to be processed. If their asylum case is approved they can stay. If not they may be deported. But both here and abroad funding for the processing system has been cut and the infrastructure intended to deal with the growing numbers has been gradually dismantled or not been increased to deal with the problem.
Dealing with immigration
Thus, as numbers of asylum seekers grow there has been a threefold problem. The first issue has been where to house them. Some have been placed in hotels, at specially built camps and at old RAF bases. There is then the need to process each and every person. This process has become problematic for many reasons. One issue is first identifying some of those detained given that many have disposed of their passports or ID, though it is unclear what percentage of asylum seekers have done this. Then there is the actual processing of their claims. This can take many months and, because the system has itself been slimmed down, takes far longer than it used to. The problem is further complicated by the fact that some asylum seekers may appeal the decision should it fail. And even if a failed claim is rubber stamped it could take months, if not years, to return the individuals concerned.
Putting aside the human costs, there is a financial cost. And while this might be relatively small in terms of a government's entire budget, it is nonetheless significant. As such many voters are drawn to the dog-whistle politics of right-wing politicians.
Dog-whistle politics
Listening to Nigel Farage supporters in Clacton recently many repeat the same lines that have become the stereotyped view of the closet racist.
"Immigration is out of control," was an oft repeated line from many with others saying that immigrants were the cause of people's inability to get a doctor's appointment. "It never used to be like this," said one Farage supporter in Clacton soon after the Reform Party leader announced his candidacy.
Ironically, this is from an area which is predominantly white British. Clacton has a population of 53,000 and yet 'foreigners' account for only 3,000 half of which were born in the EU [Demographics].
Thus any perceived problems brought with immigration are less likely to be due to personal experience than from reading tabloid headlines.
And the same is true across Europe with images of boats arriving on south European shores driving people's attitudes.
The immigration issue has been capitalised upon by the likes of Italy's Georgia Meloni, Hungary's Victor Orban and France's Marine Le Pen amongst others. And this culminated in a shock leaning to the right in the latest European elections. The most concerning win was in France where Le Pen's Rassemblement National party polled nearly twice the number of votes than Macon's Renaissance party and secured a third of the French seats in the European parliament. This prompted the French president to call a snap election which some French political pundits described as a risky gamble.
Overall the makeup of the European parliament has little changed, but there is growing concern that there is a growing shift towards the far-right with many young people amongst those drawn towards these right wing parties.
The political turmoil is not helped by the fact that the number of candidates can run into dozens. In the case of the recent European election there were some 38 candidates in France alone. Many barely polled more than 1% of the vote which highlights the irrelevance of many such candidates. Moreover, there was less than a 50% turnout, an apparent indication that many people feel either disenfranchised or politically apathetic.
Disillusion in politics
Such opinions are common. Quite a number of individuals talked to in Clacton expressed disillusionment with the political system. "I've only voted once," a bouncer in a pub said, though he could not remember for whom he'd placed his cross. As for whether he'd vote in the upcoming UK election he said he had no intention of doing so expressing the view that all politicians lied and didn't keep their promises. Others admitted they were politically illiterate and probably wouldn't vote. Such attitudes came mostly from the young, some of which seemed to have little or no knowledge of those standing. "Who's Nigel Farage?" was a common response from eighteen to twenty five year olds with some only identifying him with the television program "I'm a Celebrity".
So what of Farage and his chances of taking a seat in parliament. Certainly there were many people on the street proclaiming support for Farage. "Nigel Farage says it how it is. That is why I quite like him. He definitely stands for what England is," one young lad told the Daily Mail. Another local, a 74-year old construction training company boss, said that Farage "talks a lot of sense." But there were many that thought he was a narcissist and only in it for his own ends. Such voices were admittedly difficult to find. "He's a twit," one haulage driver said. Another was critical of his role in bringing about the EU referendum. "Well Brexit's going well isn't it," one woman, who works in retail, said. "Everything's more expensive, cost of living has risen," she said.
"He screwed over European politics and now he's going to screw over our own," said another lone voice. "He's here for his own self worth."
"I think he's a total snake and I think he's got nothing to do with Clacton," another told Novara Media.
The immigration election
Farage has dubbed the 2024 election the immigration election, and this is certainly the focus of many of those who say they'll vote for him.
"I feel like a foreigner in my own country, that's what I feel like," one man, wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan 'Don't judge a book by its cover', told a reporter. Of Farage he had only praise. "He's a man that speaks the truth and steps forward."
"Where are leaders with integrity? I believe Nigel's got that," another local, wearing a FCUK baseball cap, claimed. Another also had faith in Farage. "If you support him he'll make Clacton great." [Joe / Joe]
Dissenting voices
While many people in Clacton were supportive of Farage despite a few dissenting voices, outside the town voters were far more critical. One Londoner was of the view that he's certainly get lots of votes from "Blue rinse Tories" who are "racist, misogynist and xenophobes" [iPaper].
There are some political pundits and even some Labour politicians that have almost welcomed his winning in order to bring him to account as he sits on the opposition benches [LBC].
However, anyone who is familiar with parliamentary protocol will know that many politicians rarely get a chance to speak bar a few questions if the leader of a party during PMQs. Thus Farage is unlikely to bring much debate to the house of commons. He's unlikely to do much for the people of Clacton either. But just as he left what he called a gravy train of the European Parliament so he is likely to get on another and rake in many thousands plus expenses as a Reform UK MP.
Emboldening the far-right
There is a danger that it could embolden him and others like him further. Certainly, despite the low turnout at the European elections, the far-right parties in Europe have become emboldened by the strong results in their favour.
The young that have voted for them in vast numbers, and are also likely to vote for Farage, seem to have forgotten their history. Farage claimed many young people did not know what D-Day was about as the country marked 80 years since the invasion. Yet it seems that many people have also forgotten how the far-right came to power in Weimar Germany in the 1930s and how Hitler eventually took control and abandoned democracy.
Farage and his ilk had during the Brexit campaign prophesied that the EU would collapse. However many far-right parties are looking not to follow in a repeat of Britain's leaving the EU than to consolidate power through it [Le Monde].
Across the pond one waits with bated breath for the US presidential election in November which looks almost certain to put Trump back in the White House, a man that has already spoken about making considerable constitutional changes.
Rise of populist politics
There are surely many that will say that democracy will win and that people will come to their senses. But populist politics are taking hold as countries struggle financially, the cost of living rises, and immigrants and foreigners are made scapegoats for societal issues.
Even if western democracies don't collapse and become autocratic fascist dictatorships, it seems almost inevitable that political chaos is just years away.
None of this bodes well to persuade the likes of China to embrace democracy. China won't relish such chaos since it will affect its important markets. But it will nonetheless merely look on and exploit the situation where it can.
Education and democracy
"Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education," Franklin D Roosevelt once said.
Such lines have been repeated in contemporary times too with Serj Tankian warning that without education, a path to autocracy is almost certain.
In his 2012 song Uneducated Democracy he pens, "Without an education there is no real democracy. Without an education there is only autocracy."
A democratic society is fragile and ripe for exploitation. A successful democracy relies heavily on the abilities and intelligence of the populace.
Given the uneducated views expressed in the last week on the streets of Clacton, the future is far from hopeful.
tvnewswatch, London, UK
While China is certainly a totalitarian state with one party rule, it maintains stability and plans for the long term without the interference of petty squabbles from various political factions interfering with its long term goals.
And while there are few that would advocate a similar type of government in developing and established democracies, the chaos that has been observed in recent months and years in the US, Europe and parts of Asia only strengthens China's resolve that their system is better.
Squabbles
Political divisions and petty squabbles in Britain saw the Tory party tear itself apart leading to a referendum which resulted in the country leaving the European Union. This has itself divided a nation politically and arguably made the country economically as well as politically bankrupt.
Immigration was a pivotal factor behind that vote, even if mainly capitalised upon by the right wing politicians such as Nigel Farage who has led an anti-European campaign over many years. He has headed UKIP - the United Kingdom Independence Party - which later morphed into the Brexit Party, and now hopes to take a seat in parliament as leader of the Reform Party.
While the parties have campaigned on several issues, much has focused on immigration and Britain's membership of the EU. Uncontrolled immigration - according to Farage - has led to the many problems that Britain has faced over the years. Moreover, the EU, he claims, has stifled Britain's ability to stop migrants heading to Britain's shores.
Rallying calls
Political divisions and petty squabbles in Britain saw the Tory party tear itself apart leading to a referendum which resulted in the country leaving the European Union. This has itself divided a nation politically and arguably made the country economically as well as politically bankrupt.
Immigration was a pivotal factor behind that vote, even if mainly capitalised upon by the right wing politicians such as Nigel Farage who has led an anti-European campaign over many years. He has headed UKIP - the United Kingdom Independence Party - which later morphed into the Brexit Party, and now hopes to take a seat in parliament as leader of the Reform Party.
While the parties have campaigned on several issues, much has focused on immigration and Britain's membership of the EU. Uncontrolled immigration - according to Farage - has led to the many problems that Britain has faced over the years. Moreover, the EU, he claims, has stifled Britain's ability to stop migrants heading to Britain's shores.
Rallying calls
Immigration has become the rallying call for the 'far-right' across Europe too. While Britain is struggling to solve the issue of 'small boats' landing on its beaches and the problem of dealing with processing them, so too is mainland Europe.
There are perceptions and realities concerning mass migration. It would not be untrue to say that some migrants have brought problems. Some have been found guilty of criminal activity following their arrival. Others have, however, integrated into society and contributed in a meaningful way.
There is of course a cost to all immigrants arriving 'illegally' - shorthand for not having applied ahead of time for asylum. All asylum seekers have to be processed. If their asylum case is approved they can stay. If not they may be deported. But both here and abroad funding for the processing system has been cut and the infrastructure intended to deal with the growing numbers has been gradually dismantled or not been increased to deal with the problem.
Dealing with immigration
Thus, as numbers of asylum seekers grow there has been a threefold problem. The first issue has been where to house them. Some have been placed in hotels, at specially built camps and at old RAF bases. There is then the need to process each and every person. This process has become problematic for many reasons. One issue is first identifying some of those detained given that many have disposed of their passports or ID, though it is unclear what percentage of asylum seekers have done this. Then there is the actual processing of their claims. This can take many months and, because the system has itself been slimmed down, takes far longer than it used to. The problem is further complicated by the fact that some asylum seekers may appeal the decision should it fail. And even if a failed claim is rubber stamped it could take months, if not years, to return the individuals concerned.
Putting aside the human costs, there is a financial cost. And while this might be relatively small in terms of a government's entire budget, it is nonetheless significant. As such many voters are drawn to the dog-whistle politics of right-wing politicians.
Dog-whistle politics
Listening to Nigel Farage supporters in Clacton recently many repeat the same lines that have become the stereotyped view of the closet racist.
"Immigration is out of control," was an oft repeated line from many with others saying that immigrants were the cause of people's inability to get a doctor's appointment. "It never used to be like this," said one Farage supporter in Clacton soon after the Reform Party leader announced his candidacy.
Ironically, this is from an area which is predominantly white British. Clacton has a population of 53,000 and yet 'foreigners' account for only 3,000 half of which were born in the EU [Demographics].
Thus any perceived problems brought with immigration are less likely to be due to personal experience than from reading tabloid headlines.
And the same is true across Europe with images of boats arriving on south European shores driving people's attitudes.
The immigration issue has been capitalised upon by the likes of Italy's Georgia Meloni, Hungary's Victor Orban and France's Marine Le Pen amongst others. And this culminated in a shock leaning to the right in the latest European elections. The most concerning win was in France where Le Pen's Rassemblement National party polled nearly twice the number of votes than Macon's Renaissance party and secured a third of the French seats in the European parliament. This prompted the French president to call a snap election which some French political pundits described as a risky gamble.
Overall the makeup of the European parliament has little changed, but there is growing concern that there is a growing shift towards the far-right with many young people amongst those drawn towards these right wing parties.
The political turmoil is not helped by the fact that the number of candidates can run into dozens. In the case of the recent European election there were some 38 candidates in France alone. Many barely polled more than 1% of the vote which highlights the irrelevance of many such candidates. Moreover, there was less than a 50% turnout, an apparent indication that many people feel either disenfranchised or politically apathetic.
Disillusion in politics
Such opinions are common. Quite a number of individuals talked to in Clacton expressed disillusionment with the political system. "I've only voted once," a bouncer in a pub said, though he could not remember for whom he'd placed his cross. As for whether he'd vote in the upcoming UK election he said he had no intention of doing so expressing the view that all politicians lied and didn't keep their promises. Others admitted they were politically illiterate and probably wouldn't vote. Such attitudes came mostly from the young, some of which seemed to have little or no knowledge of those standing. "Who's Nigel Farage?" was a common response from eighteen to twenty five year olds with some only identifying him with the television program "I'm a Celebrity".
So what of Farage and his chances of taking a seat in parliament. Certainly there were many people on the street proclaiming support for Farage. "Nigel Farage says it how it is. That is why I quite like him. He definitely stands for what England is," one young lad told the Daily Mail. Another local, a 74-year old construction training company boss, said that Farage "talks a lot of sense." But there were many that thought he was a narcissist and only in it for his own ends. Such voices were admittedly difficult to find. "He's a twit," one haulage driver said. Another was critical of his role in bringing about the EU referendum. "Well Brexit's going well isn't it," one woman, who works in retail, said. "Everything's more expensive, cost of living has risen," she said.
"He screwed over European politics and now he's going to screw over our own," said another lone voice. "He's here for his own self worth."
"I think he's a total snake and I think he's got nothing to do with Clacton," another told Novara Media.
The immigration election
Farage has dubbed the 2024 election the immigration election, and this is certainly the focus of many of those who say they'll vote for him.
"I feel like a foreigner in my own country, that's what I feel like," one man, wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan 'Don't judge a book by its cover', told a reporter. Of Farage he had only praise. "He's a man that speaks the truth and steps forward."
"Where are leaders with integrity? I believe Nigel's got that," another local, wearing a FCUK baseball cap, claimed. Another also had faith in Farage. "If you support him he'll make Clacton great." [Joe / Joe]
Dissenting voices
While many people in Clacton were supportive of Farage despite a few dissenting voices, outside the town voters were far more critical. One Londoner was of the view that he's certainly get lots of votes from "Blue rinse Tories" who are "racist, misogynist and xenophobes" [iPaper].
There are some political pundits and even some Labour politicians that have almost welcomed his winning in order to bring him to account as he sits on the opposition benches [LBC].
However, anyone who is familiar with parliamentary protocol will know that many politicians rarely get a chance to speak bar a few questions if the leader of a party during PMQs. Thus Farage is unlikely to bring much debate to the house of commons. He's unlikely to do much for the people of Clacton either. But just as he left what he called a gravy train of the European Parliament so he is likely to get on another and rake in many thousands plus expenses as a Reform UK MP.
Emboldening the far-right
There is a danger that it could embolden him and others like him further. Certainly, despite the low turnout at the European elections, the far-right parties in Europe have become emboldened by the strong results in their favour.
The young that have voted for them in vast numbers, and are also likely to vote for Farage, seem to have forgotten their history. Farage claimed many young people did not know what D-Day was about as the country marked 80 years since the invasion. Yet it seems that many people have also forgotten how the far-right came to power in Weimar Germany in the 1930s and how Hitler eventually took control and abandoned democracy.
Farage and his ilk had during the Brexit campaign prophesied that the EU would collapse. However many far-right parties are looking not to follow in a repeat of Britain's leaving the EU than to consolidate power through it [Le Monde].
Across the pond one waits with bated breath for the US presidential election in November which looks almost certain to put Trump back in the White House, a man that has already spoken about making considerable constitutional changes.
Rise of populist politics
There are surely many that will say that democracy will win and that people will come to their senses. But populist politics are taking hold as countries struggle financially, the cost of living rises, and immigrants and foreigners are made scapegoats for societal issues.
Even if western democracies don't collapse and become autocratic fascist dictatorships, it seems almost inevitable that political chaos is just years away.
None of this bodes well to persuade the likes of China to embrace democracy. China won't relish such chaos since it will affect its important markets. But it will nonetheless merely look on and exploit the situation where it can.
Education and democracy
"Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education," Franklin D Roosevelt once said.
Such lines have been repeated in contemporary times too with Serj Tankian warning that without education, a path to autocracy is almost certain.
In his 2012 song Uneducated Democracy he pens, "Without an education there is no real democracy. Without an education there is only autocracy."
A democratic society is fragile and ripe for exploitation. A successful democracy relies heavily on the abilities and intelligence of the populace.
Given the uneducated views expressed in the last week on the streets of Clacton, the future is far from hopeful.
tvnewswatch, London, UK
