America's tea break is over

DESPITE many commentators predicting that the Tea Party Movement had run its course yesterday's victory has reinvigorated the right wing group. 

Tea Party supporter Dave Brat's surprise victory over Washington power house Eric Cantor has provided a much needed boost for the flagging grass roots movement. 

Brat was quick to dismiss claims that he was actually a member of the Tea Party, claiming instead to believe in Republican values. 

He told America's Fox News: "I'm not holding anyone's feet to the fire but it wasn't a contest between the tea party and the Republicans and all this," he said. "Although I have tremendous tea party support and just wonderful people in the tea party and grassroots helping me out, and they're clearly responsible for the win... I ran on the Republican principles."

The defeat of Republican Majority Leader Cantor, who had been widely tipped to succeed John Boehner, has created uncertainty in beltway politics as officials on both sides of the divide fear it could harm the smooth running of government.

The Tea Party's proven track record of holding the nation to "hostage" on issues such as raising the debt ceiling has in the past led to concern that America could have been plunged into a further economic crisis. 

Unlike more moderate Republicans, such as Cantor, the Tea Party's unwillingness to compromise on key issues could make cross party agreement on key policies unlikely.

Speaking from the Richmond Hotel following news of his defeat Mr Cantor told supporters: "I know there's a lot of long faces here tonight. It's disappointing sure but I believe in this country. I believe there's opportunity around the next corner."

What that "opportunity" may be for the future of American politics is a question which many may now be asking. 

Brat's win against such a respected and powerful character as Cantor in a Republican safe seat despite being vastly outspent is being seen as a worrying sign that core Republicans are moving further towards the right wing of the party.

"The good news is dollars don't vote, people do," announced Mr Brat. "I've been a conservative my whole life," he added. "There's nothing hard right or far right about anything. I just believe in the ideas and that ideas matter in history."

Whatever the future holds for compromise on the hill one thing seems certain the tea break is over for the Republicans.