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AIBU?

To timidly suggest that Nigel Farage is not a racist

545 replies

Millyonthefloss · 10/06/2016 10:30

Can I just start by saying that I am not a racist. Thanks.

This is my AIBU.

Lots of people on mumsnet say Farage is a racist.

But this is what I think.

He is a geezer. He is a city boy. He smokes. He wears dodgy coats. He looks weird. He says non PC things, like my FIL does. He doesn't like overcrowding and change.

But I am beginning to think that he is not a racist.

What he is in fact is a man with an absolute obsession with British parliamentary democracy and an absolute hatred of EU waste, extravagance and unaccountability. He is totally obsessed with getting the UK out of the EU and independent again.

He is enraged and infuriated by the wasteful things the EU does like moving the EU Parliament from Strasbourg to Brussels all the time and wasting millions and millions of British taxpayers money that could be spent in his beloved UK.

I don't even think he is that interested in immigration.

But he is so obsessed with his aim of UK independence that he will work with anyone. So when free movement of labour became the big issue - years after he started his campaigns - he was willing to embrace it. And there have therefore been racists in UKIP. He is not choosy.

But I don't think Farage himself is a racist.

He seems to be genuinely delighted now that he can stand on a platform with Kwasi Kwateng or Frank Field.

He does his weird grin when he is with people like them.

All he wants is UK independence.

What do you think? AIBU?

OP posts:
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BertrandRussell · 10/06/2016 10:32

"He is a geezer."

As I said before. Insofar as a privately educated ex commodities broker can be described as a geezer.

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PaulAnkaTheDog · 10/06/2016 10:32

He's a racist. And a massive bellend.

Yabu.

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sonlypuppyfat · 10/06/2016 10:34

I think he speaks the truth people don't like it so call him a racist

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Savemefromwine · 10/06/2016 10:34

But thankfully he, like everyone on here, can express their opinions within the law.

God we are so lucky to live in a liberal democracy.

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Sallygoroundthemoon · 10/06/2016 10:36

I agree Smile

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Kelandry · 10/06/2016 10:38

Ugh, this thread will soon be full of the usual nasty statements about racist cunts bellends etc, with lots of passive aggressive gurning grins. No, he's not racist. Not many people really are these days, but by not buying into the lefty socialist dream they are hissed at and called racist.

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Oysterbabe · 10/06/2016 10:39

I think he's a racist and a sexist and... oh lots of things.

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DelphiBlue · 10/06/2016 10:40

Sorry but I snorted at 'he's a geezer' Hmm

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DelphiBlue · 10/06/2016 10:41

Kelandry not many people are racist these days? I'm going to hazard a guess that you are white.

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ilovesooty · 10/06/2016 10:42

You're not his wife are you?
I think the man is utterly putrid and gets far more publicity than he deserves.
He's not just a racist in my view - he's even worse.

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JeanGenie23 · 10/06/2016 10:43

I think he is a dickhead and I think he is a prat. Racist, I am not so sure. But I would never vote for him and I want nothing to do with his party. That being said I do like my dickheads where I can see them. I know to avoid and not listen to his bullshit

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Mummyto2bubs · 10/06/2016 10:43

No, I don't think he's a racist at all. I totally agree with you OP.

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SagaNorensLeatherTrousers · 10/06/2016 10:44

Not many people really are these days.

Not many people are racist these days??

You do live on Planet Earth, right? Confused

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Just5minswithDacre · 10/06/2016 10:44

So you're saying he's an unreconstructed male?

But as part of that, he's pretty flagrantly xenophobic and an unapologetic little englander, so the fine fine distinction between xenophobia and racism is a technicality.

He's vile and a liability to the out campaign and I wish he'd feck off TBH.

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IrishDad79 · 10/06/2016 10:45

"You try livin' next door to 'em"

UKIP and Brexit's official slogan.

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SemiNormal · 10/06/2016 10:45

I don't think he's racist and I think that people using the term to describe him are just attempting to discredit him politically - it is, in my opinion, a very low blow and makes a mockery of the real issues of racism.

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littlemonkey5 · 10/06/2016 10:46

Please explain WHY you believe he is racist........

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ilovesooty · 10/06/2016 10:47

Xenophobic, sexist and hypocritical for starters.

And of course lots of people are racist.

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Kelandry · 10/06/2016 10:47

Well, if you stick to the actual definition of racist, then no. But if you use the leftie definition of ukip voters, conservatives, those who don't want open boarders then maybe so. But people who actually believe in white supremacy? No.

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SoupDragon · 10/06/2016 10:49

I suspect you might be right insofar as I don't think he has a problem with ethnic minorities who are English if that makes sense. He just doesn't want any more immigrants of any race or ethnicity. So, it's not your usual sort of racism.

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CatThiefKeith · 10/06/2016 10:49

I'm not sure he's xenophopbic - isn't his wife German?

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QueefRichards · 10/06/2016 10:50

I think he's a xenophobe whose ideas appeal to, and validate, racists.

I also think that anyone who falls for his 'ordinary geezer/man of the people' schtick needs their bumps felt.

I think you can say a lot about a man by the type of people who admire him. Say no more.

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littlemonkey5 · 10/06/2016 10:51

So, calling him racist is like calling someone neglectful for having a child with a face covered in food after a good meal then.........

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Goldenhandshake · 10/06/2016 10:51

I do not believe he is a racist either, I agree with much of the OP but also think he has prejudices and buys into some racial stereotypes, that he chops and changes to suit his own ends.

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QueefRichards · 10/06/2016 10:51

Cat yes she is. But he doesn't like immigrants. Go figure.

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