Today is the day.

[Workingman]

I see that all of the media, from wherever it is based, is on message.

Europe did not so much lurch to the right, it leapt to the far right. Those miserable cretins who voted in such a way have become racists/Fascists/Nazis/neo-Nazis, pick your epithet, or always were closet racists/Fascists........Not much is being said about the far left parties - it's apparently OK to be a Marxist/Leninist/Maoist/Stalinist communist.

And the leap was not the fault of the political elites, though, they are blameless, but they will now listen.

The media and politicians conveniently forget that 3/5 could not be bothered to vote; and that those who voted for parties at the extremes only represent about10% of all voters. Europe did not lurch or leap anywhere.

Those who were motivated to vote, and that is important, took one of the few effective means left to them to protest without the tear-gas and water-cannons being deployed.

[Suff]

One point to note WM. Whilst Syriza was the largest single vote and whilst they are very left wing, Golden Dawn got 10% of the vote. That's massive. They are nothing short of rabid fascists and make no apologies for it or even try to tone it down. They like inflammatory words and actions. Consider the massive shock when Sweden voted 5.6% of their vote for the Fascist Sweden Democrats. Much soul searching, much agonising, much resolution to work closer together to keep the Fascists out.

Greece? Great, more mayhem, more power to your elbow, go for it, cause more havoc, shake them up!

Whilst the momentum of the EU is absolutely massive and is almost unshakable, it's not totally unshakable. It can, in fact, be brought down by small but powerful interest groups who simply won't play the game.

What I expect, in the next parliament, is a very serious push to get Turkey into the EU..... To dilute the whole impact of the right and to bring more lifeblood into the stagnating mess. I may be wrong, but I don't think so. Merkel will come under absolutely massive pressure to allow Turkey to begin the moves to join. Germany does not want Turkey and they are openly racist about it....

More fun and games....

On the other hand, France is pushing, again, to split the EU into a two speed system with France/Germany running the show and the lower forms of life doing what they are told or begging for crumbs. Note, that the UK, with a strong economy, already bigger than France before the crisis and with more citizens, is not even considered in this.

Nothing we can do will change this. Even the panic at the thought of losing the UK money.

It will be interesting to see the whole thing unfold. Sad, chaotic, not in the UK interest, but interesting.

[Suff]

For those who aren't aware of where Turkey stands in the EU, this wiki page explains it.

Note, France delayed it's decision on opening negotiations on some chapters till after the EU elections. Cyprus is in meltdown with nearly 6% GDP shrinkage and in receipt of significant bailout money.

Pressure can be brought to bear. Even on France with quid pro quo over the fiscal deficit being a tool.

New commission, new council, lots of fear about the existing members and their votes....

Lots to think about...

[cromwell]

Charles De Gaulle said that the EU would provide Europe with a coach and horses. The horses would be Germany but the drivers would be French.

One thing I find enormously interesting about Marine Le Pen is that she is against Globalism, and wants trade barriers to protect French industry and French jobs. That isn't reported much, is it?

Politicans will now listen, will they? I sincerely doubt that. All they want to do is to make "I feel your pain" faces whilst working out how to carry on exactly as they are now. British politicians see themselves as a "managerial" class. They are the mangers, we are the peasants. They should be our representatives, not our rulers; but their mind set will not change.
They say they must do more to "get their message accross". Well here's a thought; perhaps the message has been heard and rejected?

Finally my pet hate; BBC Look North. They said this dinnertime that "it was felt" that ex-BNP voters had switched to UKIP. What a dirty shower of sh1t they really are. No evidence, just an overt smear. They also reported as a fact that people would swich back to the traditional parties at the general election.

Their bias is off the scale, it's appalling.

[Suff]

One thing I find enormously interesting about Marine Le Pen is that she is against Globalism, and wants trade barriers to protect French industry and French jobs. That isn't reported much, is it?

Hardly ever touched in the UK press. However long discussed in the French press. It's why her support base is growing, year on year, from the wider voting population in France.

Finally my pet hate; BBC Look North. They said this dinnertime that "it was felt" that ex-BNP voters had switched to UKIP. What a dirty shower of sh1t they really are. No evidence, just an overt smear. They also reported as a fact that people would swich back to the traditional parties at the general election.

Their bias is off the scale, it's appalling.

It is probably true. But that very small and seat wise, virtually insignificant, support for BNP, was not what created this swing. Also something they might not want to discuss at all. People felt the BNP was a valid protest vote but could not stomach giving them power in Westminster. UKIP has totally destroyed that. Now people have a valid protest vote target which really isn't racist but really is "Nationalist".

Something I would think is striking fear into the hearts of a lot of Tories this week.

Hardly surprising that the Lib Dem vote was divided between Labour and the Greens. Lib's going to the Greens and Dems going to Labour.... Revert to type. Much more importantly to me was the "protest" vote which voted Lib Dem at the last election, giving them power they should never have had, has vanished overnight and moved to UKIP.

I doubt you will EVER see that on any analysis.