Timo Soini shows UKIP the way forward

Timo Soini: A true Finn

The value of voting for and electing UKIP councillors, MPs and MEPs is underlined today in news from Finland. The FT today reports that the whole EU financial package may founder on the rock that is Timo Soini. Timo is the leader of the True Finns, and is looking like the kingmaker in the upcoming Finish elections. He is also a good personal friend and damn fine chap. 

At issue is the eurozone’s €440bn bail-out fund. Although finance ministers on Monday agreed the structure of a new €500bn fund that will come into effect in two years, the current system cannot use its full financial firepower to rescue failing economies, a move seen as essential if large countries such as Spain and Italy are pushed into bail-outs.

The idea is that rich countries up their exposure to support poor countries, and Finland is one of them,

The easiest and, for many weeks, most likely outcome appeared to be leaning on the eurozone’s six triple A-rated countries, including Finland, to double their loan guarantees, a move reluctantly supported by even Germany, which would have to increase guarantees most.

But, and here's the rub. There is the general election in Finland and Mr Soini is causing electoral mayhem.

The issue is particularly acute for Mari Kiviniemi, the Finnish prime minister, whose Centre party fell to third place in a TNS Gallup poll released last week, behind the National Coalition and the surging, populist True Finns, led by Timo Soini, a charismatic Eurosceptic.

The point of al this is that Soini,

whose party is now just two points behind the front-running National Coalition – and who has vowed to block any increase in Finnish commitments. Without unanimity in the eurozone, the deal could fall apart.

What Timo and the True Finns are doing is showing the power of the growing tide of Euroscepticism across Europe. Picking up votes from acros the board as ever increasing numbers of people realise that the old establishment political elite neither speak for them, nor have any wish to do so.

If the decision on Friday is baulked, Mr Soini could well become one of the most important men across the continent.

And as a Millwall fan, he doesn't care if the elite doesn't like him. he is used to that.