Twenty-First Century Populism: The Spectre of Western European ...

196 Twenty-First Century Populism
the evidence of the whistleblowers, has constantly sought to minimise
the figures. Nor has it ever consulted the British people about the number
of people from abroad that should be allowed to settle here. We have not
been asked if we are prepared to have the nature of our neighbourhoods
changed forever. We have not been asked if we are prepared to see our
schools in some areas overwhelmed by those who cannot speak English.
We were not asked if we were prepared to see our health and social services
put under strain. As the polls show, people feel that they are losing
their culture. (Kilroy-Silk, 2004)
Similar themes were picked up by Kilroy’s new Veritas party. Indeed, the
Veritas and UKIP election manifestos for the 2005 election were rather
similar. However, neither did as well as hoped. Veritas won an average of just
over 1.5 per cent in the 62 seats it fought, while Kilroy received only 5.8 per
cent of the vote in his constituency. UKIP did slightly better, winning 2.3
per cent nationally, and 2.8 per cent on average in the seats where it stood
(Webb, 2005: 773−774). Although this was an improvement on the 2001
result, it was seen as a disappointment given the expectations raised by the
spectacular success of 2004. The effect of the splits created by Kilroy were a
salutary reminder of what happens when new populist forces fail to unite
behind one leader and the limitations to progress when the party (in the
case of UKIP) does not possess an instantly recognizable and charismatic
leader with considerable media skills (its existing leader Nigel Farage does
not come across as a ‘man of the people’ and lacks a ‘common touch’).
Of course, in the case of Britain, the electoral system used for general elections
provides a particular obstacle that would have made life difficult for
Kilroy and UKIP even if they stayed together. While future European elections
may tell a different story, the future impact of UKIP on the British party
system will nonetheless remain contained if limited to such elections.
Conclusion
Populists on the Right have exploited the ‘Britain in decline’ thesis, feeding
on a perceived loss of national identity and self-esteem whilst also exploiting
a feeling that the Labour party has deserted the white working class.
Radical right populists draw strength from public concerns over the impact
of EU membership on national sovereignty, and the impact of migration
and multiculturalism on the ‘British way of life’. Although such issues have
been exploited by populists throughout Europe, Britain’s imperial past and
its history as a ‘great power’ allow national populists to present it as an
‘exceptional case’. The British tradition of liberal global free trading does
however mean that the Right has not followed the example of RRPs on the
continent in proposing protectionist solutions.