The past 12 months haven’t been the most heartwarming, in terms of democratic process. The Brexit referendum was a muddle of ideological lies, jingoistic lies, and racist lies. Donald Trump is the embodiment of corporatism, literally profitising American politics for his own gain. Turkey has voted for Christmas by giving Erdogan another decade or so to cement his totalitarian Grand Viziership.

We’re about to add another item to that list: the total domination of British politics by the far right of the Conservative party.

There’s a number of reasons for the Prime Minister to call a General Election right now. I’ve covered some of them here and many more will be examined in detail by the media over the next 6 weeks. But don’t be fooled; there’s one truly fundamental motivation – the Tories see the chance to secure power for decades to come.

The political centre has already undergone a significant shift to the right. With Labour’s centrist elements left buggered beyond all rescue, there was no opposition to prevent it. The Lib Dems’ rapid inflation and collapse put them out of the picture while the move was made. Exiting the European Union has provided the greatest scapegoat in British political history. Conditions are perfect for a right-wing coup.

At least under Osborne’s austerity, cuts could only be excused while the economy tanked. With the new order, cuts and cuts and cuts will all be enforced with extra cuts on the side, the blame pinned firmly on the challenges of Brexit. It’ll be the divorce bill. Or the horrible trade deal we’ll get if we try to not pay the divorce bill. Or whichever of the brewing wars we get over-invested in as part of the new Cold War, now we’ve shot the European Union in the foot and emboldened Russia.

The point is that this is all going to be awful. With no credible opposition, the Conservatives can secure themselves an overwhelming parliamentary majority. Instead of 17 seats and a fractious back-bench, they’ll have carte blanche to advance whatever agenda they claim the election mandated.

It isn’t about negotiating positions with Europe, as the government has seen precious little in the way of opposition to their approach to that. It isn’t about strong leadership, as that doesn’t require a snap election. It certainly isn’t about representing the interests of non-majority views. You don’t try and build an unassailable political fortress if you have any intention of working across party lines.

No. What it’s about is selling off the NHS and forcing through grammar schools. It’s about bullying local government with the threat – and reality – of yet more cuts. It’s about pushing regressive taxation and banging the last few nails into the coffin of political accountability.

Calling a General Election now has all sorts of interesting implications. Whatever those may be, the primary reason for and the near-certain outcome of it is the same: a far-right wet dream of privatisation and trickle-down economics. For the next 20 years. It’s a completion of the Thatcherite project of Americanising the UK’s political and economic climate, in line with private interests.

So, while reading all the nuanced and insightful coverage, just remember all this. I fully intend to let myself lapse into politics junkie heaven and get involved in the details and developments. But I’ll be enjoying the ride in the despondent knowledge that the destination is going to be really very extremely not good.