Imagine a world where every crisis you hear about is actually a secret invitation for a new class of profit‑making politicians.
The Real Money Behind Brexit
The Biggest Donor
Peter Hargreaves, the founder of Hargreaves Lansdown, poured £3.2 million into the leave campaign. He summed up his motive with a startling line: “We will get out there and we will become incredibly successful because we will be insecure again. And insecurity is fantastic.”
The Advertising Spin
The current television spot for his firm sells the platform as a safe harbour when everything else is shaking. Brexit is shown as just another storm that the company can help you survive.
History Repeats Itself – Insecurity as a Political Weapon
Mussolini’s War Rhetoric (1915)
A newspaper owner named Benito Mussolini stirred riots, demanding Italy join the first world war. The nation entered unprepared, suffered a humiliating defeat and later opened the door for fascism.
Britain’s Norway Disaster (1940)
Chaotic planning by the first lord of the admiralty allowed Nazi forces to occupy Norway. The failure forced Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain out and brought Winston Churchill to power.
Nigel Farage – The Modern Parallel
Farage’s crusade for leaving the EU mirrors Mussolini’s promise of miracles that delivered only retreat and misery. Yet the electorate has not punished him. Austerity, Brexit anger and a climate of decline have fed his new party Reform UK and keep his base energized.
Why Voters Do Not Punish Bad Politics
The Myth of Retrospective Voting
Political scientists Christopher Achen and Larry Bartels argue that the idea of voters judging leaders by past performance is a fairy tale. People often blame incumbents for forces beyond anyone’s control. Their research shows that millions voted against Al Gore in 2000 because of weather conditions they could not influence.
The “We Don’t Have Time for Receipts” Problem
Citizens are bombarded with crisis after crisis. Their attention is constantly pulled away, leaving no mental space to keep track of who caused what. The more turmoil we face, the weaker accountability becomes.
Crisis as a Distraction Tool
Figures like Boris Johnson and Donald Trump have repeatedly created fresh scandals to pull focus from earlier failures. The chaos makes it easier for them to present themselves as the nation’s saviour, much like a rescuer who jumps into a pond he just created.
The Failure of the Current Political Playbook
Labour’s Counterproductive Strategy
Keir Starmer’s government tries to win over “hero voters” by attacking the left, cutting benefits, weakening environmental rules and launching performative anti immigrant campaigns. This approach alienates its own base and fuels the same sense of hopelessness that the opposition exploits.
The Real Winning Formula
Instead of listing achievements or demonising opponents, successful leaders sell hope. They invest heavily in public services, show tangible improvements in everyday life and tell a compelling story of transformation.
The Danger of Continuing the Cycle
If the pattern persists, a future Farage premiership could become a reality, turning the Brexit disaster into a permanent political brand.
What Should Politicians Do Differently?
Invest in Public Services – Demonstrate improvement through action, not just rhetoric.
Focus on Wellbeing – Build policies that raise the everyday quality of life for the majority.
Tell a Positive Narrative – Offer a clear vision of progress rather than a constant warning of decline.
Avoid Scapegoating – Stop using immigrants, minorities or “woke elites” as convenient targets.
Create Real Accountability – Provide transparent records that citizens can easily verify.
Bottom Line
Insecurity is a powerful magnet for political profit. The more we allow crises to dominate the news cycle, the easier it is for opportunists to thrive while real accountability fades. The antidote is simple: invest in public good, tell hopeful stories and give voters clear evidence they can check.
