to feel that after living here for twenty years that i am no longer really welcome

[xmasadsboohiss]

I am from another European country and have lived here virtually all my adult life. I have worked for all of that time apart from a couple of months on the dole and on maternity leave. I will never consider myself British although I broadly share the values of the majority of people in this country. Over the last few months as Nigel Farage has been getting more and more air time I am feeling increasingly alienated and almost unwelcome - presumably Mr Farage's solution would be that I should pack my bags and go. If only life in the real world were quite so straightforward.

[wishingchair]

Nigel Farage doesn't speak for me!

[fedupbutfine]

or me!

[Jesuisunepapillon]

Or me!! Or any of my friends.

[WilsonFrickett]

He doesn't speak for anyone I know! UKIP have just leafleted my town and there are a bunch of us ranting on fb about it as I speak. Vile little man with his vile views.

[badidea]

Farage is a nob - ignore him, focus on the people you meet and interact with on a daily basis, that should reassure you that you're still a welcome part of the community.

[Kendodd]

Have you been made to feel like this by people in real life though?

[AmberLeaf]

Farage is a nasty bit of work, those who share his views, are IMO the same or at best, easily manipulated fools.

I can understand you feeling the affects of his/UKIPS recent increased publicity, but rest assured, there are many, many people in the UK who don't share his views and who have no problem with people in your position.

From a different perspective [I have mixed race children and am in an inter racial relationship-not to mention having a disabled child] I too feel worried/concerned about the publicity surrounding him and his views.

[FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse]

Stay! He doesnt speak for me or anyone I know either.

Vile little man.

[feelinlucky]

No way does that cock speak for me or any other person I know. Please ignore the poor excuse for a decent human being.

[xmasadsboohiss]

Thank you all - it was worth posting for this lovely positive reaction alone! Badidea - here is the funny thing - I don't feel unwelcome in my own community at all - and it's a community of many nationalities. But I do feel that Farage's ability to steer the 'national conversation' in such a xenophobic direction changes the atmosphere - particularly for non British people.

[MooncupGoddess]

Please don't feel unwelcome!

Nigel Farage is a bigoted twat who doesn't speak for the vast majority of the population. Personally I'm delighted that there are so many people from other countries living and working in Britain.

[ASmidgeofMidge]

He doesn't speak for me or anyone I know

[mrknowitallagain]

Dont UKIP just want the same system as say Australia ?

[starlight1234]

I am afraid you get extremists in all groups of people farage is ours I am afraid but it doesn't mean we all buy into his nonsense

[badidea]

xmas in that case I'm so sorry that the media are giving him the airplay that makes you feel uncomfortable - just have faith in the people you meet in RL and know that his views are on the margins and any votes he gets are generally protest votes and not indicative of how the vast majority of people feel.

[IceBeing]

I don't know anyone who doesn't think Farage and his poxy party are scum of the earth....

[pointythings]

I feel the same way, OP. I'm from Holland originally, have been here nearly 17 years, paid taxes. I've never got a job by undercutting anyone else wage-wise, it's always been on merit. It makes me that the public perception of people like me is becoming so negative.

[LineRunner]

Farage and his cohort are fruit and nutters.

Stay.

[unintentionalthreadkiller]

What everyone else said but much more politely than I would.

[MakeMineAMartina]

whats the system in Australia?

[MistressDeeCee]

OP I often feel like that too. To the point Im thinking I will sooner rather than later return 'back home'. One thing, tho - as bad as I know racism and anti-immigration feeling is here, in day-to-day life its nowhere are bad as the picture the irresponsible media paint. You are always going to get both good and bad people in life. For every racist idiot Ive come across, there are quite probably 100 good people. & thats what I like about being here, thus far. Albeit I also find it worrying how Farage is given so much airtime and is able to get an audience for his xenophobic views...but then again Ive never met anyone like him in real life, or anyone who actually agrees with his views. Unless they do, and aren't telling me! But either way - they aren't bothering me with their views.

I think the slyness of institutionalised racism is far worse. As well as 'do-gooders' with a shit-stirring agenda.

[SelfRighteousPrissyPants]

Farage is disgusting. I read somewhere his wife is German and she works for him in the UK

[SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed]

He doesn't speak for me, or for anyone I know. Please don't feel unwelcome, UKIP appear to be a big deal because they get so much media coverage, but really their share of the vote isn't all that big.