The surge in popularity of the Reform Party is a sign of a general disillusionment with the mainstream parties.
Reform triumphed in the recent local and regional elections, as well as taking the constituency of Runcorn and Helsby from Labour.
They look set to eclipse the Conservative Party.
Worryingly, the two main parties seem to have decided the way to confront Reform is to become more like them; for example, both parties seem keen to vilify migrants.
It must be hoped that now Reform has to run some councils, they will be exposed.
Reform will learn that negative rhetoric about Low Emission Neighbourhoods and diversity officers in authorities that don't have either cuts little ice in government.
The huge costs of providing child and adult social care, as well as housing the homeless, on the other hand, while working with reduced budgets, offer a far greater challenge.
These are statutory requirements for local authorities, so not even Nigel Farage's disciples can dodge dealing with them.
It is hoped that the British electorate does not swallow the reactionary rhetoric of Reform in the same way that the Americans have the mantra of Donald Trump.
However, the disillusionment of the electorate that is causing the surge in support for Reform, needs to be addressed.
The seeds of the present crisis were sown in the 2010s by David Cameron's Conservatives, assisted by their Liberal Democrat coalition partners, who brought in austerity policies.
As a result, millions of people have hardly seen their wages rise in real terms for over a decade, while public services like the NHS, education, transport and the police have been starved of resources
Some clever media and political manipulation managed to convince many that Europe and migrants were to blame - enter Brexit.
We are all now poorer, and the problems are worse. Yet, still we don't seem to learn, the architects of Brexit, were the forerunners of Reform.
The economy needs to grow sustainably, ensuring that the fruits of people's labour flow to everyone, not just a few.
The creation of a more just, equal, functioning society is the way to address Reform, not becoming more like them.
- Paul Donovan is Labour councillor for Wanstead Village ward, Redbridge Council and a blogger (paulfdonovan.blogspot.com).
