The political opportunity space has widened since David Cameron set out to ‘detoxify’ the Tories, aiding the rise of UKIP

Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Renee Buhr (1)A theoretical model formulated by Renee Buhr examines the opportunity space provided to extremist parties in gaining votes. In 2005, The Conservative Party’s decision to back away from a stridently anti-integration and right-wing position may have opened a space for UKIP to exploit, and the party has done so successfully. Does this mean that the Conservative Party needs to move rightward to stem UKIP’s rise? It is a question with no simple answer, but at least the UK’s electoral system prevents parties on the far end of the political spectrum from gaining national-level legislative office.