“@Bedmo

Yes, I'm deeply disturbed by this phenomenon.

I think your diagnosis is basically right - the current resurgence of political extremism is indeed a product of the economic crisis.

However, I don't find your proposed solution very promising, as I would have thought that a new centre party would achieve nothing beyond splitting the 'reasonable' vote.

This is the time for the established centre parties to step up to the plate, be strong, and get their message across. Hopefully, in time, the crisis will abate and the tide of extremism will recede.

But I do agree. Political extremism leads to the gulag and the gas chamber. I just don't understand why people don't get this.”

“Very acute, hadn't really taken into account weakening the mainstream really only helps extremists. Still, it's a shame as we're turning into a two party system with extreme fringe groups on the grow.

Seems like Germany has a lot of parties, christian democrats and youth parties etc.

What about further devolution? Bristol the capital of wessex? Replicate some italian city state situation - have a renaissance based on local competition?”

“IMHO it occurs for a number of the reasons you've mentioned, but principally when the party (or parties) in power fail to listen to the voting public. The ConDems seem adamant - even arrogant - about refusing to re-evaluate their golden path. Everything is seemingly done for the benefit of the city, the rest of us should just take that as gospel and make the best of it. But the "sticking to your guns" approach tends to look very similar to the "putting your head in the sand" one when people can clearly see that policies are not working, while politicians refuse to backtrack and/or work together for the greater good.

Sarkozy paid dearly for this, Merkel will be lucky to come out unscathed. Yet Cameron, Osborne and co continually fail to see the direction the wind is blowing. Miliband is hardly blameless either, he must be one of the most ineffectual leaders of the opposition we've had for many years, continually failing to shine a spotlight on the governments most serious and costly errors.”

“So we condemn the mainstream but accept it as the only option? I'm pretty concerned democracy has failed and no one noticed...”

“Yes! and in Bristol Comments on this is Bristol News blogs have confirmed a hell of a lot of sick Racist views out there, the Armchair Racists are quite numerous in and around Bristol”

“Whenever there's crisis in the world,racism rears its ugly head time and time again, its the dumbest most laziest thing to do.

I wouldn't vote for any mainstream party, its all about education awareness and self respect..

S.B..”