THE 2017 GENERAL ELECTION

The May Government's failure to even maintain an overall majority in the House of Commons, let alone to increase that majority as they took for granted they would, once again signals the sheer uselessness of the Tory Party. They began the unnecessary general election, that they called, with a 21-point lead over Labour. In a disastrous and complacent campaign, in which little evidence of Conservativism was evident, that 21-point lead was almost completely eliminated.

One year on from the vote Leave in the EU referendum, the May Government has done nothing. The monies still flow out, the immigrants still flow in – including the jihadists – and the EU continues to impose its rule upon us. The best that the Tories have to offer is more talk and Brexit proposals which they have no intention of implementing until many years into the future. The May Government has been consistent with its promises of opt outs, interim periods, exemptions, transitional arrangements etc. Ultimately, all that the May Government has to offer is 'a new deep and special partnership' with the EU after many years of very, very complex negotiations; so complex, we are told, that they cannot be rushed.

The May Government's Brexit Postponed strategy (possibly, Drama Queen Brexit might be a better term) has been fully and enthusiastically endorsed by all wings of UKIP, apart from the odd resolute dissenting voice. UKIP's own election effort was spirited but doomed. The UKIP vote collapsed. They were unable to contest as many seats as in the 2015 general election, and although there were moves to improve their manifesto, that manifesto fell short of what was needed – even regarding Brexit, which UKIP took for granted was already in the bag. It most definitely is not.

The English Rights Campaign has already advocated Turbo Brexit, which apart from establishing the broad direction of policy needed, also emphasized the need for speed. We need to get on with it! Brexit should be history by now. We should, with a competent government, be in a post-Brexit Britain. Instead we face a ponderous, pompous set of drawn-out negotiations. Those negotiations are due to start within days and the EU has already declared that they will refuse to discuss the future relationship with Britain until Britain has agreed to their terms for giving Britain permission to leave. Those terms include a payment of around £80billion (a figure that is being continuously revised upwards), an open border between the Ireland and Ulster, and the EU's conditions as to its authority over those EU citizens presently living in Britain or who might wish to return to Britain (thus making them a Trojan Horse). The May Government is desperate for a free trade agreement with the EU.

The EU negotiators are officials who have been given instructions. They do not have the leeway to compromise. If the EU sticks to its demands, then Britain will very quickly be faced with a hard choice. Either Britain backs down to this blackmail, or else it doubles down and walks away at once, thus delivering what the voters voted for in June 2016: Britain will leave.

There are already those Tories who wish to delay the negotiations, or to downgrade them to preliminary chit chats. The EU is naturally pleased with the Tory incompetence, and have every incentive to take an even tougher line. If the talks proceed then the May Government is highly likely to face a rebellion whichever option it takes. Remainer May is inclined to sell out. That has been her approach from the start.

The chances of a second general election in 2017 are high. Meanwhile, UKIP is about to embark on yet another leadership contest following Paul Nuttall's announcement that he is standing down.

The right wing of British politics is a shambles.