whitewave, thanks for your post. I read this news yesterday and felt angry, frustrated and worried about the future.
To some extent, it's understandable that distrust and dislike of the 3 main political parties is leading to apathy, to fewer people joining or supporting political parties or even bothering to vote. It's unacceptable though, given how hard won the vote was for working class men, and even later for women. All of europe seems to be lurching to the right, as often happens when recession hits. It's easy to be cynical and superior about the 3 main political parties, I've done my share of moaning, but we need to become more, not less, politically active.
I'm with Granny23 - change must come from grassroots level. I went to my first political party meeting in years on Saturday. It was good to see the audience telling it like it is, an not allowing the powers that be to get away with positively re-framing unacceptable moves in our local council. Small steps, but the notion of Ukip gaining ground in my area makes my heart sink.