Apathy and Protest - Who really Wins?

Be careful what you ask for.



Apathy and protest have won in Europe this weekend. Apathy
in that only 43.1% voted throughout Europe- even less in the UK at 33.8%. And
protest, with many fringe parties winning big majorities.



But here’s the problem. Today’s protest vote is tomorrow’s policy.
Is it really wise to have the right-wing and reactionary UKIP as the overall
winners? Are we so naïve as to think they are going to have answers to our nation’s
problems? Who are we punishing? Ourselves of course.



It may be we’re unhappy with the government and with a weak
opposition leader – but UKIP?!



And what goes for the UK goes for France too. In spades. Are
our neighbours so short sighted and racist as to vote for their National Front
party? It seems they are. There may be racial tensions in France. And it may be
that the main parties are not responding well. But the French have just put the
fox in the hen coop. Perhaps that should be spelled ‘coup’. It’s not the first
coup in France of course. They have a history of revolution. Not sure it turns
out too well though.



As peaceful democracies we need to guard our ability to
vote. By voting.



And as intelligent citizens, let’s be careful who we punish
with our protests. This time around, I fear we’re hurting ourselves.