Compared to Johnson, Farage is a lightweight. As soon as Johnson re-enters the fray, the media will be fawning all over him. They will write that he was "ousted" from power by factions within his own party. Johnson will spout "One-Nation" Conservatism in an attempt to show that he can unite the country by highlighting the achivements of MacMillan and Churchill in his quest for the keys to Number 10 again. I believe he is still popular with Tory party members. So he will attract votes that would otherwise have gone to Reform thus enabling the Tories to regain seats like Portsmouth North and Southampton Itchen. Add to that, the adverse headlines Reform gets with councillors resigning within days after getting elected will help the electorate decide that Reform cannot be trusted with power. Meanwhile Johnson is spreading his message in the media and escaping the critical analysis that his Brexit deal served up.
Off Topic Politics Thread
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I’m very much against what the Israelis government are doing but I’m not anti-Semitic. Apparently because I don’t like what the Israelis government it means I’m anti-Semitic. I don’t get it.
Brainless morons. Why would you want to cut down a tree. What has that tree ever done to them?
I’m a parish councillor and I’ve witnessed at first hand councillors trying to do the right thing but wasting so much money. It’s not an efficient way to do things
Obviously, it's not about backing Reform but about the pompous attitude of the (mainly) left. Hence their reaction.
We've seen it all on here before, those who didn't vote for Corbyn were gullible, believing the gutter press smears. Those who voted for Brexit were thick, racists who were taken in by Farage and now those who vote Reform are racist (a particular favourite of one unimaginative poster
), morons and bellends (at least that's a new one).Where is the kind, inclusive and tolerant attitude we are told they epitomise?
There is no acceptance that some people whose lives (and opinions) are different to our own are neither thick nor racist. There is a self righteous snobbery that runs through this board where some posters think they the only ones who can have rational opinions.
That's not to say I am leftyphobic, obviously they're not all the same. Some of my best friends are socialists. Wouldn't want one as my next door neighbour though, stinking out the neighbourhood with the smell of lentils and patchouli oil.
And ****ing hell, are they boring? Within 5 minutes, you know they are vegetarian, socialist and we should be grateful that they are saving the planet for the benefit of mankind. After that nothing, except that they are hoping for a trans baby.
Yeah, I know what you mean Ashby. Apparently because I think we have an immigration problem, I'm an Islamophobic racist.
Yeah, this is a clever redefining that had gone on. All governments should be open to critique. To me Israel is a country and is where Israelis come from. Jews are a religion and come from all over.
It’s great you now have something to feel oppressed about after the epic battle of who goes in which toilet.
Obviously, it's not about backing Reform but about the pompous attitude of the (mainly) left. Hence their reaction.
We've seen it all on here before, those who didn't vote for Corbyn were gullible, believing the gutter press smears. Those who voted for Brexit were thick, racists who were taken in by Farage and now those who vote Reform are racist (a particular favourite of one unimaginative poster
Where is the kind, inclusive and tolerant attitude we are told they epitomise?
There is no acceptance that some people whose lives (and opinions) are different to our own are neither thick nor racist. There is a self righteous snobbery that runs through this board where some posters think they the only ones who can have rational opinions.
That's not to say I am leftyphobic, obviously they're not all the same. Some of my best friends are socialists. Wouldn't want one as my next door neighbour though, stinking out the neighbourhood with the smell of lentils and patchouli oil.
And ****ing hell, are they boring? Within 5 minutes, you know they are vegetarian, socialist and we should be grateful that they are saving the planet for the benefit of mankind. After that nothing, except that they are hoping for a trans baby.
A trains baby?? Interesting that one!!! I am not going to take issue with anything that you have written. For me, Farage and Reform are a distraction, and in the process are giving the architect of the awful Brexit deal imposed by the UK Government on its people, Johnson, an easy ride. For me, Johnson has never been taken to task for this despicable act and his other failings during his time in Number 10. And there he is smirking off-stage waiting for his big re-entry.!!
A few things there . Yes Boris is still popular with Tory members and if you look at vox pops or surveys he is actually popular with a lot of traditional Labour voters as well that voted for him in 2019 however...they also know the Tory party and its not the media that push the "ousted by the party" angle. That is exactly what happened from day 1 he got in. The No 10 "partygate" was just the avenue they succeeded with.
As for him challenging Farage. Yes he could pull back some Tories from voting reform however that is again not seeing that a lot of the reform vote is actually traditional Labour and not Tory members. The 2019 vote skewed things and the narrative of Reform being dangerous to the Tory vote while ignoring how dangerous they are to the Labour vote is just wanting not to see reality.
The adverse Reform headlines about resignations could actually be turned around by them because the vast majority had to refuse the council seat they won because of the rules of council workers not being allowed to sit on the council and in those red wall regions as much as a third of employment is state employment. In other words, a lot of poor folks restricted from being councillors because how can they give up their job? But hey ho, we can continue to trust those that can afford to give up their job or work in the private sector after all that sounds very left wing. lol
Johnson returning will make less difference this time round. The Tories are toast at this point.
Obviously, it's not about backing Reform but about the pompous attitude of the (mainly) left. Hence their reaction.
We've seen it all on here before, those who didn't vote for Corbyn were gullible, believing the gutter press smears. Those who voted for Brexit were thick, racists who were taken in by Farage and now those who vote Reform are racist (a particular favourite of one unimaginative poster
Where is the kind, inclusive and tolerant attitude we are told they epitomise?
There is no acceptance that some people whose lives (and opinions) are different to our own are neither thick nor racist. There is a self righteous snobbery that runs through this board where some posters think they the only ones who can have rational opinions.
That's not to say I am leftyphobic, obviously they're not all the same. Some of my best friends are socialists. Wouldn't want one as my next door neighbour though, stinking out the neighbourhood with the smell of lentils and patchouli oil.
And ****ing hell, are they boring? Within 5 minutes, you know they are vegetarian, socialist and we should be grateful that they are saving the planet for the benefit of mankind. After that nothing, except that they are hoping for a trans baby.
It isn't this board. There is a self righteous snobbery that runs through society mostly away from the areas of the people that they pretend to care about. Lots of talk about inequality, relative poverty, hardship but if the people in those groups don't toe the line on the narrative front it all comes out.
Like the article says, its the snobs that are just above the poor folks towards the middle income that the worst ones that sneer and tut. And those in that middle bracket seem to want to control the lives of those below dressed up as "caring" but its not. They want those below to live like them, think like them, be like them and aren't happy when their "help" and "advice" is not welcomed or adhered to.
The working class don't want to be like those above. They want to be like themselves, just a bit better off like the article says. I think it delivers reality well and the fact those in the bracket it is denouncing can't see it makes it even more real. Of course they can't see that the article is pointing the finger squarely at them and they immediately respond in exactly the way the article says they do. Hilarious.
On the "next door neighbour" comment, my next door neighbour was (he's in his 70s) is a full on trade unionist. Was shop steward for decades at Walkers. Only retired in his early 70s. Hasn;t voted Labour for 10 years and was a fan of Boris until what Boris' policies actually produced arose. He's not against immigration but obviously being shop steward of a low wage workplace he has seen firsthand what went on. Gets on very well with my wife. Not racist at all. Says he will voted reform the other night and will next GE so that would make him more right than me. lol. seeing as I didn't vote at all the other night (who is worth voting for atm) and probably will not vote in the GE either with the current options available.
But then of course he is old labour. uneducated, idiot, boomer. Must be denigrated at the alter of globalist centrism for his crimes. You say you're not leftyphobic but most of what people call the left now is not left at all. They support authoritarianism. They support constrains on any dissent. If that is left wing then let them go to Russia and enjoy the full product of what they wish for.
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Starmer's problem is he is reacting solely to the issue of the day, each day and flip flopping. Each wooden speech he delivers is just words that no-one believes nor considers at all sincere. Just empty promises like we have heard for years now from all governments but with Starmer you really know that nothing he says is true and solely aimed at optics.
Instead of focusing solely on illegal immigration as the distraction he should have on day 1 re-instated nurses bursaries.............like he promised to do if he won the election but has still not done anything at all about.
He did the whole talk about a 10 year plan, because they thought they were guaranteed 2 terms with the state of the Tories and they bang on about the link between the NHS and migrants but in 10 year's time the same argument will be there. Nearly 1 year lost that Nurses could have been training en-masse and it takes time for that kind of training so another empty promise that they choose not to pursue! Why?
Instead of focusing solely on illegal immigration as the distraction he should have on day 1 re-instated nurses bursaries.............like he promised to do if he won the election but has still not done anything at all about.
He did the whole talk about a 10 year plan, because they thought they were guaranteed 2 terms with the state of the Tories and they bang on about the link between the NHS and migrants but in 10 year's time the same argument will be there. Nearly 1 year lost that Nurses could have been training en-masse and it takes time for that kind of training so another empty promise that they choose not to pursue! Why?
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Starmer is really in a bit of a bind isn’t he.
Public ‘immigration is an issue’
Starmer *puts in place plans to reduce migration rate substantially*
Right wing:
‘Liar’/‘You are just doing this because (made up reason) so I don’t care’/‘How dare you haven’t fixed everything wrong with the country in 9 months (we didn’t even give you 30 days before deciding)’
Left wing:
‘Facist’
We really are a country full of gullible morons.
Public ‘immigration is an issue’
Starmer *puts in place plans to reduce migration rate substantially*
Right wing:
‘Liar’/‘You are just doing this because (made up reason) so I don’t care’/‘How dare you haven’t fixed everything wrong with the country in 9 months (we didn’t even give you 30 days before deciding)’
Left wing:
‘Facist’
We really are a country full of gullible morons.
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This is seriously boll***s on every level. I'm in my mid 70s. A shop steward in the early 70s. Have ALWAYS supported free speech and never supported authoritarianism, (Jeez, I can still spell it without prompt). The important 'values of equality' in their broadest sense remain central to my outlook. Know that I am a hedonist, a lover of the pleasures of life tempered by a well developed conscience. Lucky to have had parents who fostered those values. People who had 'difficult wars', but didn't claim they were owed. Understand, we need to move on in not only hope but in the search for harmony.
Rereading my rant it looks like a plea for nothing more basic than for love not hate. An old hippy with echos of youth. But, the meanings don't change.
That Nigel Farage doesn't mince his words when it comes to immigration does he? Thank goodness he's never going be in charge of the country, spouting racist hatred like this. Racist morons voted for this bellend and the lefties were right about him all along, disgusting.
"Without immigration controls, the UK risks becoming an "island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together".
And
"The damage this has done to our country is incalculable. Public services and housing access have been placed under too much pressure. Our economy has been distorted by perverse incentives to import workers rather than invest in our own skills."
Oh hang on a minute, it wasn't Nige at all. Let's move on, nothing to see here.
"Without immigration controls, the UK risks becoming an "island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together".
And
"The damage this has done to our country is incalculable. Public services and housing access have been placed under too much pressure. Our economy has been distorted by perverse incentives to import workers rather than invest in our own skills."
Oh hang on a minute, it wasn't Nige at all. Let's move on, nothing to see here.
"I'm not antisemitic" is a term commonly used by people about to lay into Israel and think saying that beforehand will excuse the hatred they are about to unleash.
The phrase antisemitic became more commonplace in public around the time Corbyn was leader of the Labour Party. A lot of people on here dismissed accusations of antisemitism within the party with the defence you've used above. Personally, I was unaware of why these claims were being made but once they are, you start to look at events more closely.
The Israeli war with Hamas has shown me that whatever you want to call this hatred for Israel, it exists almost exclusively (muslims excepted) from the left. Why is that? What is it that drives the left wing's hatred of Israel? There are currently more than 110 armed conflicts taking place in the world today but this war gets more attention from the left than any of the others. Is it a coincidence that this one war out of 110 is the only one that involves Jews?
Isn't it a bit strange that not one person from the left on here has expressed any awareness of Israel's difficulties of being surrounded by groups of terrorists intent on destroying them? In some cases quite the opposite. It's as if the 7th October never happened or Israel deserved it. Some of the comments on here straight after that massacre were beyond belief.
"It's not the Jews, it's Israel" as if swapping antisemitism for racism makes everything ok.
Whether it's Antisemitism, anti Zionist or just plain racism, its name really doesn't matter, but it is hatred.
https://www.spiked-online.com/2025/03/20/a-savage-rupturing-of-our-civilisation/
No, Mr Game, it is not a coincidence that this conflict which is central to so much of the world’s geopolitics is something people tend to put more emphasis on than other wars. Longevity, our role in creating the conflict, the global repercussions of the situation all tell you that this situation in Gaza is going to get more coverage than most other wars.
It is possible to hold a light up to a situation and find all the leading figures to be in the wrong. In this situation Hamas and Netanyahu are both wrong. The people of both sides are both victims. However, they are both victims interspersed with zealots. They are two sides with a thin line between politics and faith. An Israeli state Nationalist state which consistently breaks international law vs a terrorist state which uses innocent people as pawns in an international PR campaign.
But what most people cannot understand is that Israel, and our allies, are very clear: Israeli lives are worth more than Palestinian lives. They are quite content to kill thousands upon thousands, while cutting off food supplies to the rest. These people already live in poverty, in an apartheid regime. They very well may sympathise with Hamas, but did sympathising with the IRA mean the UK was justified in killing innocents in Ireland? The death toll is now staggeringly one-sided.
So, no, it is not antisemitism to state outrage at the actions of Israel. Being outraged at brutality is what makes us human. Antisemitism is, however, rife on X, and in MAGA, and in Reform. It is the beating heart of the WEF conspiracy, the George Soros nonsense, and the assertion that the banks - Farage himself named Goldman-Sachs (I wonder why?) - are part of a global cabal attempting to destroy Christian society.
That is antisemitism. Not criticism of a vindictive political regime.
Criticising Israel’s actions as a state doesn’t equal antisemitism, what they are doing in Gaza is very very wrong.
On the flip side there was definitely an amount of celebration from some on the initial attack from Hamas, which is also extremely wrong and many of those that did never apologised for it and yes that did come in a reasonable amount from people who would consider themselves to be from the left however I am not sure anyone in an official party capacity celebrated it? Also see Celtics green brigade for an example of someone who conveniently forgot they cheered on the massacre and went pretty much unpunished.
It’s a complex conflict with neither side being a ‘good guy’ and the vast majority of victims being civilians.
It is a few fringe extremists on either side, but celebrating Hamas does appear more on the left and celebrating the IDFs actions appears more on the right, either stance is a scummy take but it is a loud minority of people in either case.
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