The problem with UKIP is they are beginning to influence government policy, as announced by Cameron last week introducing his ludicrous immigration legislation. This is bad news, and the drift further into the politics of hate that started with the non-election of the tories looks to continue for some time; nasty, hateful little men in crap suits telling us we're a soft touch when it comes to accepting johnny foreigner in to take our jobs, homes and welfare.

Part of the problem of modern politics is democracy is conflated with capitalism and this makes socially responsible policies that don't generate income look like some sort of government-imposed idea designed to fleece those it's not aimed at of their tax quids. Ludicrous of course, but inevitable in a country where we are less citizens and more consumers (an explicit aim of Thatcherism) and we are less engaged in the welfare of society as a whole. The destruction of the NHS is a case in point, and one day we'll all wonder why we weren't rioting on the streets to save our societies most valued public service.