During the latest expenses furore, those attacking UKIP have had very little choice in how to attack the party. The criticism has almost exclusively been aimed at the party’s dealings with former UKIP MEPs Robert Kilroy-Silk, Ashley Mote and Tom Wise.

  • Kilroy-Silk tried a leadership coup and was wisely brickwalled by both the leadership and membership.
  • Ashley Mote never even took up his seat as a UKIP MEP and patently lied outright to the party about a court case against him.
  • Tom Wise was dealt with so severely by leader Nigel Farage – the UKIP whip was immediatly withdrawn from him – that Farage was even criticised by some fellow UKIP MEPs.

Far from perfect. But it is a completely different situation from the current scandal that is going on with MPs in Westminster. Perspective is always important at such times.