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To almost feel a shred of sympathy for Tommy Robinson

456 replies

lazyahzydaysofsummer · 02/08/2026 10:55

He did a debate against Oxford university students recently.

His entire argument was destroyed. Every single point. Even Jacob Rees Mogg had to comment on how stupid he was.

It’s exposed what he really is - an ignorant, uneducated man who is so gripped by fear caused by a misunderstanding of the world around him, and it’s almost made me feel sorry for him. People like him have been failed - by society, by the education system, and by the people around them.

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5
GeneralPeter · 03/08/2026 18:39

SnoopyPajamas · 03/08/2026 18:36

Yes, we know about that and stopped it as fast as we realised there was an issue. Anything else to add?

If by "we" you mean the authorities, then we very much did not "stop it as soon as we realised there was an issue".

Girls went to the police and were dismissed as working class slags not worth listening to. Teenagers were charged as madams and prostitutes, with no-one seeming to care that they were below the age of consent, and at the very least, statutory rape had been committed. Healthcare and community workers raised the alarm, only to have their reports buried for years. A 13 year old girl with special needs was referred for an abortion, and no-one cared to look too deeply into the married man three times her age who had impregnated her.

When journalists tried to break the story, they were accused of fueling racial tensions. Pretty much every mainstream media outlet which reported on the grooming gangs initially downplayed the extent of the scandal, and anyone who pushed for clarity on the fact that the perpetrators were majority Pakistani Muslim men, and the fact that this was relevant to their offending, was accused of being racist and faced heavy pressure to shut up about it.

Attempts were made to portray the gangs as a Rotherham-only problem, confined to a couple of years in the early 2000s. Victims in other towns and time periods had to fight to be acknowledged. Just look at footage of Sadiq Khan trying to fob off journalists who called for an inquiry into gangs in London. It'll make your blood boil how dismissive he is, even though at this point, the number of gangs uncovered in major towns and cities across the country, would tell you it's just common sense to look into the possibility of gangs operating in the capital. He knows he's going to find out this was happening under his watch, and doesn't want the bad PR, so he's spent years fobbing off calls for an investigation, and belittling the (usually female) journalists who confront him on the issue. He's not stopping anything as fast as he can. He's being deliberately obstructive - and he's doing so as the Muslim Mayor of London, with the eyes of the world upon him. If he's not feeling the pressure to do justice, imagine how the rest of the political class are acting. He won't be the only one trying to sweep it all under the rug.

Women and girls have been trying to get justice for this for decades. Their bereaved parents, and the children of their assaults, have been trying to get justice. For years and years and years.

Sorry, but it's absolutely unbelievable that anyone would frame the grooming gangs as something that was swiftly nipped in the bud, all sorted out now, nothing left to see. It's very much not the case.

Indeed.

"versus what actually happened"

(i.e. what you describe).

SnoopyPajamas · 03/08/2026 18:36

GeneralPeter · 02/08/2026 17:15

Yes. Just as importantly, though, concede the points on which he is right and address them (or at least seriously engage with them) so that the pathway is removed.

TR: "Pakistani Muslims are raping white and Sikh girls and it's disgusting."
Everyone else: "Yes, we know about that and stopped it as fast as we realised there was an issue. Anything else to add?
TR: "Deport all Muslims?"
Everyone else: "Don't be silly. That would be an absurd over-reaction".

versus what actually happened.

Yes, we know about that and stopped it as fast as we realised there was an issue. Anything else to add?

If by "we" you mean the authorities, then we very much did not "stop it as soon as we realised there was an issue".

Girls went to the police and were dismissed as working class slags not worth listening to. Teenagers were charged as madams and prostitutes, with no-one seeming to care that they were below the age of consent, and at the very least, statutory rape had been committed. Healthcare and community workers raised the alarm, only to have their reports buried for years. A 13 year old girl with special needs was referred for an abortion, and no-one cared to look too deeply into the married man three times her age who had impregnated her.

When journalists tried to break the story, they were accused of fueling racial tensions. Pretty much every mainstream media outlet which reported on the grooming gangs initially downplayed the extent of the scandal, and anyone who pushed for clarity on the fact that the perpetrators were majority Pakistani Muslim men, and the fact that this was relevant to their offending, was accused of being racist and faced heavy pressure to shut up about it.

Attempts were made to portray the gangs as a Rotherham-only problem, confined to a couple of years in the early 2000s. Victims in other towns and time periods had to fight to be acknowledged. Just look at footage of Sadiq Khan trying to fob off journalists who called for an inquiry into gangs in London. It'll make your blood boil how dismissive he is, even though at this point, the number of gangs uncovered in major towns and cities across the country, would tell you it's just common sense to look into the possibility of gangs operating in the capital. He knows he's going to find out this was happening under his watch, and doesn't want the bad PR, so he's spent years fobbing off calls for an investigation, and belittling the (usually female) journalists who confront him on the issue. He's not stopping anything as fast as he can. He's being deliberately obstructive - and he's doing so as the Muslim Mayor of London, with the eyes of the world upon him. If he's not feeling the pressure to do justice, imagine how the rest of the political class are acting. He won't be the only one trying to sweep it all under the rug.

Women and girls have been trying to get justice for this for decades. Their bereaved parents, and the children of their assaults, have been trying to get justice. For years and years and years.

Sorry, but it's absolutely unbelievable that anyone would frame the grooming gangs as something that was swiftly nipped in the bud, all sorted out now, nothing left to see. It's very much not the case.

TicklishReader · 03/08/2026 17:57

BIossomtoes · 03/08/2026 17:44

I have lived in other countries without ever being accused of being racist. Congratulations on being the very first person in more than 70 years to do it. And congratulations too on still failing to concede that the nuns didn’t manage to teach you the difference between race and nationality.

You haven't said anything remotely racist.

BIossomtoes · 03/08/2026 17:44

I have lived in other countries without ever being accused of being racist. Congratulations on being the very first person in more than 70 years to do it. And congratulations too on still failing to concede that the nuns didn’t manage to teach you the difference between race and nationality.

5128gap · 03/08/2026 17:37

JesseDavisGonnaHangOnInThereNSoul · 03/08/2026 17:19

@5128gap on the boogie front I did suggest ten names mobile disco a bit further back to shed mistress.

"...Just blame it on the migrants, just blame it on the lefties, Don't blame it on the racists. Don't blame it on the boogie..."

Shedmistress · 03/08/2026 17:32

BIossomtoes · 03/08/2026 17:10

As the person who said it I can assure you that you’re massively over thinking it and turning a molehill into Everest. I have never knowingly said anything remotely racist in my life and it’s a real stretch to turn a reference to “this country” into something abhorrent.

I think maybe if you've never lived in different countries you would not know just how bad it is. Especially for a mere spelling error.

No matter, I once had a nun stand behind me for a meal holding very firmly the knife in one hand and the fork in another forcing the food into my mouth because I didn't hold my cutlery 'properly'. In front of the whole school, what larks!

JesseDavisGonnaHangOnInThereNSoul · 03/08/2026 17:19

@5128gap on the boogie front I did suggest ten names mobile disco a bit further back to shed mistress.

Limecar · 03/08/2026 17:16

Downthedrainwithme · 03/08/2026 16:32

Thanks for the clarification I'll not delete my previous message as I'm all for owning my own mistakes but I accept in this instance I got it wrong.

I don't think you made a mistake, it certainly is perjorative in how it affects people but it's considered perfectly acceptable to say.

It begs a all sorts of questions like how many colours standards are necessary now Britain has converted to a global population. How will that work, or not as all evidence shows is actually the case.

BIossomtoes · 03/08/2026 17:10

Shedmistress · 03/08/2026 17:06

I didn't even spot the auto correct error as I was lying on my back after a 36°c day cooling from a shower and the discussion had moved on.

Did whoever it was say 'actually it is spelt whatever whatever' or did they invoke 'in this country we do x' for a reason?

As the person who said it I can assure you that you’re massively over thinking it and turning a molehill into Everest. I have never knowingly said anything remotely racist in my life and it’s a real stretch to turn a reference to “this country” into something abhorrent.

Princejoffyjaffur · 03/08/2026 17:08

I worry that future history students will see figures like Tommy Robinson in a very different light than they are viewed today.

Shedmistress · 03/08/2026 17:06

5128gap · 03/08/2026 16:57

If I'd made an auto correct error I'd say so. If I'd made the error because of lack of knowledge I'd say "Oh, really? I didn't know that".
What I wouldn't do is pretend to be a victim of racism.

I didn't even spot the auto correct error as I was lying on my back after a 36°c day cooling from a shower and the discussion had moved on.

Did whoever it was say 'actually it is spelt whatever whatever' or did they invoke 'in this country we do x' for a reason?

5128gap · 03/08/2026 16:57

Shedmistress · 03/08/2026 16:52

Why did I respond to 'in this country we do x' you mean?

Pretty bloody obvious id have thought. Bearing in mind the whole conversation on this thread.

If someone 'corrected' you saying 'in this country we do x' what would your response be?

If I'd made an auto correct error I'd say so. If I'd made the error because of lack of knowledge I'd say "Oh, really? I didn't know that".
What I wouldn't do is pretend to be a victim of racism.

Shedmistress · 03/08/2026 16:52

5128gap · 03/08/2026 16:36

That when a person corrects you, the easiest thing is to explain it was an auto correct error rather than starting a barney by pretending to be the victim of racism.

Why did I respond to 'in this country we do x' you mean?

Pretty bloody obvious id have thought. Bearing in mind the whole conversation on this thread.

If someone 'corrected' you saying 'in this country we do x' what would your response be?

MrsKeats · 03/08/2026 16:50

0% sympathy here.

5128gap · 03/08/2026 16:36

Shedmistress · 03/08/2026 16:34

Oh all those terms I didnt and never use. Right.

And the term in the UK I originally typed was bogey. Not boogie, not bogie.

What insights do you have about that?

That when a person corrects you, the easiest thing is to explain it was an auto correct error rather than starting a barney by pretending to be the victim of racism.

Shedmistress · 03/08/2026 16:34

5128gap · 03/08/2026 16:26

There are certain tells when people have been influenced by US right wing rhetoric. Thinking 'positive discrimination' is legal, referencing CRT (very fringe in the UK), using terms like 'diversity hire' and so on. Obviously some of those influenced are in the UK, but PP wasn't to know that, and as boogie and bogie mean very different things here, I don't see the harm in her pointing that out.

Oh all those terms I didnt and never use. Right.

And the term in the UK I originally typed was bogey. Not boogie, not bogie.

What insights do you have about that?

Downthedrainwithme · 03/08/2026 16:32

Limecar · 03/08/2026 16:30

It wasn't used as a pejorative. It was used as an explanation of how this job evaluation system was intrinsically discriminatory.

Thanks for the clarification I'll not delete my previous message as I'm all for owning my own mistakes but I accept in this instance I got it wrong.

Limecar · 03/08/2026 16:30

Downthedrainwithme · 03/08/2026 16:21

Kinda bizarre then that over the last decade or so girls have succeeded in higher education more than boys under those "white man standards".

I'm also unsure how using the term "white man standards" as a pejorative puts folk above Robinson and some of his use of language.

You're welcome to your opinion and to expand on it for me and I'm sorry if I've misinterpreted you.

It wasn't used as a pejorative. It was used as an explanation of how this job evaluation system was intrinsically discriminatory.

5128gap · 03/08/2026 16:26

Shedmistress · 03/08/2026 16:13

If it was in response to someone not from 'this country' or thinking they are 'not from this country' campaigning to drive on the left then yes, absolutely. Of course they would.

Although in my case of course what with being of valley stock back generations, that poster got their facts wrong as it was just a autocorrect. Out of all the countries I have lived in, America is not one. No idea what the point is they were trying to make.

There are certain tells when people have been influenced by US right wing rhetoric. Thinking 'positive discrimination' is legal, referencing CRT (very fringe in the UK), using terms like 'diversity hire' and so on. Obviously some of those influenced are in the UK, but PP wasn't to know that, and as boogie and bogie mean very different things here, I don't see the harm in her pointing that out.

Downthedrainwithme · 03/08/2026 16:21

Limecar · 03/08/2026 16:11

Core Evaluation Factors
Know-How: The total sum of every kind of knowledge, skill, and experience needed for standard job performance.
Problem Solving: The original, analytical thinking required to identify, define, and solve challenges within the role.
Accountability: The measured impact, freedom to act, and direct answerability for the final actions and results.

Why do people live in white man standards countries if they dislike white man standards?

https://hyring.com/free-hr-toolkit/hr-glossary/hay-method

Edited

Kinda bizarre then that over the last decade or so girls have succeeded in higher education more than boys under those "white man standards".

I'm also unsure how using the term "white man standards" as a pejorative puts folk above Robinson and some of his use of language.

You're welcome to your opinion and to expand on it for me and I'm sorry if I've misinterpreted you.

Shedmistress · 03/08/2026 16:14

Limecar · 03/08/2026 16:11

Core Evaluation Factors
Know-How: The total sum of every kind of knowledge, skill, and experience needed for standard job performance.
Problem Solving: The original, analytical thinking required to identify, define, and solve challenges within the role.
Accountability: The measured impact, freedom to act, and direct answerability for the final actions and results.

Why do people live in white man standards countries if they dislike white man standards?

https://hyring.com/free-hr-toolkit/hr-glossary/hay-method

Edited

Why do people think non white men cant have standards?

Shedmistress · 03/08/2026 16:13

chocoluv · 03/08/2026 14:50

So you’re saying if someone from the right said that “in this country we drive on the left” - they would automatically be labelled a racist??

Driving instructors must get called racist all of the time then.

The only one accusing someone of being racist is you - yet you’re triggered if someone else calls someone racist???

If it was in response to someone not from 'this country' or thinking they are 'not from this country' campaigning to drive on the left then yes, absolutely. Of course they would.

Although in my case of course what with being of valley stock back generations, that poster got their facts wrong as it was just a autocorrect. Out of all the countries I have lived in, America is not one. No idea what the point is they were trying to make.

Limecar · 03/08/2026 16:11

Core Evaluation Factors
Know-How: The total sum of every kind of knowledge, skill, and experience needed for standard job performance.
Problem Solving: The original, analytical thinking required to identify, define, and solve challenges within the role.
Accountability: The measured impact, freedom to act, and direct answerability for the final actions and results.

Why do people live in white man standards countries if they dislike white man standards?

https://hyring.com/free-hr-toolkit/hr-glossary/hay-method

chocoluv · 03/08/2026 16:05

Limecar · 03/08/2026 15:24

You would think it was far fetched, but I ran a job evaluation project in a RG university not long ago and while presenting the process and outcomes I was told it was unfair because it was white man standards. These standards are accountability, problem solving and communication.

So on that basis, as our driving standards are also white man standards, therefore they are racist too.

Edited

But did they have a point?

Most standards, IQ tests, health advice etc were always based on white Western males (which is why women have such poor health care even in 2026 and are still seen as less intelligent as men).

Someone with dyslexia who is not given the proper reasonable adjustments is going to score poorer on these tests than someone who does not have dyslexia.

Judging a fish on how well it can climb a tree is very similar to many of these ‘standards’.

Driving on a certain side is in no way racist and like the person who called the other poster racist, is simply saying it to get a reaction.

Limecar · 03/08/2026 15:24

chocoluv · 03/08/2026 14:50

So you’re saying if someone from the right said that “in this country we drive on the left” - they would automatically be labelled a racist??

Driving instructors must get called racist all of the time then.

The only one accusing someone of being racist is you - yet you’re triggered if someone else calls someone racist???

You would think it was far fetched, but I ran a job evaluation project in a RG university not long ago and while presenting the process and outcomes I was told it was unfair because it was white man standards. These standards are accountability, problem solving and communication.

So on that basis, as our driving standards are also white man standards, therefore they are racist too.

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