A Trump nomination could be a good thing for American democracy

Let’s be clear from the very outset I think a Trump presidency would be catastrophic for the US and the wider world that is ultimately dependent on US foreign and economic policy.

As a European, the statements emanating from the Trump campaign trail are beyond worrisome. Calls to build a wall with Mexico and to remove immigrants from the US remind many of us of Europe’s darker periods.

Seeing Trump talk of being able to murder someone and still not lose votes sends a chill down the spine and drive those of us on the other side of the Atlantic to question how we should all deal if the nightmare scenario of a Trump presidency becomes a reality.

The good news is that with unfavourable ratings of close to 60% (57.6% according to the latest HuffPost poll) Trump is unlikely to enter the White House.

The even better news is that his nomination could rejuvenate US politics by forcing the Republican party to split. Such a split would leave them in the wilderness until at least 2020, but it would allow for moderates to form a new party and for the fallacy of a ‘broad church’ Republican party to disappear.

The rise of any new Republican party could be rapid especially with a growing number of US voters proclaiming themselves as independents — 45% by the latest poll.

Ross Perot split the Republican vote back in the 1990s when he stood against Bush and Clinton. By winning 18.9% of the popular vote (19,741,065 votes) he proved that a third way is possible.

Whilst many of us fear the rise of Trump is may just provide the re-boot the US political environment needs.

Here’s hoping…