I've been sickened by politics this year. In the USA Donald Trump has been abusive, dismissive - and downright rude about anyone who dares to challenge him. He's exploited fear and prejudice to promote his own rise to the top of the republican Party. Zac Goldsmith's campaign has also been ugly. As a political scientist, I know why the 'public discourse' is getting uglier - research (and experience) shows that such tactics work.
The only way we are going to stop it getting worse (and if you want to see how it progresses - then review American politics. Nixon's campaign operatives engaged in a number of bad practices. Nixon was toppled, but they remained active - and successful. Newt Gingrich turned himself from an obscure history professor into a 'bomb-thrower' in Congress - and eventually became Speaker. John Boehner was pretty extreme himself - but was overtaken by those who moved downwards faster. Eric Cantor was a hardliner - but was beaten in a primary but someone who was even harder. Mitch McConnell declared that his primary objective as republican leader in the Senate was to stop Obama becoming a two-term President - and used every device available to pursue that - yet he too was challenged for being too soft.)
Progressives should be challenging the assertions and behaviour of Donald Trump - and they have been. But they shouldn't allow their Republican opponents who opposed Trump during the primaries, who are now falling in line behind him, to get away with their cowardice. Call them out!
The same applies in Britain. Zac Goldsmith was the official standard bearer of the Conservative Party. If his tactics aren't soundly denounced by Cameron and other conservatives - we should be pointing this out to the electorate.
