UKIP creating two party system

RATHER than establishing itself as a fourth political party recent figures on donations have highlighted how the United Kingdom Independence Party is creating a two party system.

In reports this week UKIP drew £170,000 more in donations than the Liberal Democrats during the April to June financial quarter.

While party representatives have hailed the figure as proof that they are being taken seriously the disparity between UKIP and the two leading parties is more likely to represent and shift away from the three, or four party, system towards and two party one controlled by the Conservatives and Labour.

A UKIP spokesman said it was "a sign that electorally and financially we are now superseding the Liberal Democrats".

Nigel Farage, the UKIP leader who is due to stand as an MP in South Thanet, said: "We have got a long way to go in terms of our fundraising but we are getting there. To overhaul the Lib Dems for the first time is another symptom of a very real change that is taking place in British politics."

The change Mr Farage has spoken of may not be the one which he hopes for though.

Compared to his party's £1.4 million Labour garnered £3.7 million in political donations while the Tories received £7.1 million.

The Liberal Democrats have dismissed the figures as unreliable. Party executives have claimed that £241,000 of the Eurosceptic party's donations should have been declared in the previous quarter, while a further £1million was from one donor. Businessman Paul Sykes made the donation stating that he was keen to support UKIP's bid for seats in May's European elections.

The release of the figures has led to a battle between the Conservatives and Labour, as each uses the donations to undermine their opponents.

Highlighting the amount received from Trade Unions since Ed Milliband became Labour leader  Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps said: "We all know what payback they want from weak Ed Miliband: more wasteful spending, more taxes, and more debt than our children could ever hope to repay."

The figures will be an embarrassment to Mr Milliband as he continues to attempt to distance himself from claims that the party is in the pocket of the unions.

Meanwhile Labour Shadow cabinet office minister Jonathan Ashworth MP criticised the amount which the Conservatives have received from donors who have attended private dinners with Prime Minister David Cameron and other senior government figures.

"When millions are flowing in from hedge funds and exclusive groups of donors, is it any wonder David Cameron stands up for the privileged few?"

For now however if either UKIP or the Liberal Democrats want to be able to launch an effective campaign next year they have a long way to go. Based on the money it looks as though the Conservatives and Labour will be able to maintain their hold on the British political establishment for some time to come.

The EU may learn something from Glastonbury

A STORMY atmosphere hung in the air as loyalties were tested and alternate concepts battled for supremacy.

David Cameron may well have watched the coverage of the Glastonbury festival and seen a comparison with his recent chaotic defeat in the EU Parliament.

While the storm clouds broke over the muddy field in Somerset sunshine looks a far off option for Britain in the EU. 

A contentious headline act started off by garnering the critics ire before bringing them around and ending up with full throated support. Metallica and Jean Claude Juncker could have the makings of a breakout combination. 

If Mr Juncker is the Metallica of the European Union show then David Cameron must surely be the Prince type figure, throwing a tantrum because he hasn't got his own way and threatening consequences and retribution in the future. Unlike Prince though Mr Cameron knows that he needs the support of the other acts. His teeth grating congratulations to Mr Juncker has shown that for all his bluster he faces the humiliation of working with him in the future.

"I'm terrified," singer Hannah Reid told the BBC, two hours before showtime.

"You struggle to feel worthy for Glastonbury. I'm like 'oh no, I'm really a fraud. I can't sing at all and everyone at Glastonbury's going to know'."

It must not have been too far from the way Mr Cameron felt on Friday, realising that defeat, and with it a loss of credibility for the UK, was inevitable.

Ahead of the festival Metallica faced a boycott campaign, which they knew from the start would fail. Through personality and character they turned it to their favour though and won the crowds over. While Mr Juncker may not have done it with so much style his conciliatory tone and willingness to discuss compromise effectively swept the feet from under his critics. By the time of the show Mr Cameron was left with nowhere to go, relegated to the outlining stage to play to a crowd of one.

Glastonbury has an incredible ability to bring together thousands of people from different backgrounds, taste and style and create an electric atmosphere. The EU doesn't have quite the same effect. With so many competing interests and strongly held views the MEP's aren't going to be getting together in the beer tent to praise each other's music tastes. More likely the glasses will be thrown as they argue over whether they should have watched Jake Bugg or Metallica. 

Fortunately the strength of Angela Merkel has kept the crowd together for the most part, jumping from one side to the other and playing more than one stage, think Kaiser Chiefs and their three set triumph.

It hasn't all be pitch perfect for Glastonbury though, and here the real link with the EU comes in. Accused of being out of touch, controlled by the middle aged middle class and inaccessible to most people it may have more in common with the EU parliament than anyone had ever thought.