For in conspiracy theory terms, this is small beer compared with the claims that the anti-Vietnam movement was infiltrated by the CIA, who promoted the drug culture as an alternative to political protest. In the Yorkshire Dales, where I live, theories about the origins of foot and mouth are more colourful and easier to believe than Lord Tebbit's accusations. We all have our pet conspiracy theories, after all. I believe that Peter Tatchell receives generous donations from the religious right to discredit homosexuality. Baroness Young, in turn, is doubtless sponsored by Stonewall as an ideal opponent.
Most newsworthy conspiracies require a grain of truth.
Conservatives, especially Eurosceptics, are rattled by UKIP's uncompromising stance on British self-government. Yet beneath the accusations, there are a series of more interesting sub-plots. These revolve around UKIP's relationship with the Conservatives and the kind of party UKIP wants to be. For UKIP's worst troubles have come from a minority of activists whose true loyalty is to the Tory party and who see UKIP as a ginger group to influence Conservative policy. These single issue fanatics and plotters resemble in some ways the Communists and Trotskyists who sought to capture the Labour party.