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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To almost feel a shred of sympathy for Tommy Robinson

451 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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DaisyMayBojangles · 02/08/2026 10:58

My heart bleeds 🎻

Lomonald · 02/08/2026 11:00

You think he is racist,bigoted and violent because he was "failed" somewhere? I mean Lawrence fox has the same views and he is privately educated and privileged! No i think your sympathy should be directed elsewhere.

MyDarlingRose · 02/08/2026 11:00

He isn’t just an ignorant, uneducated fearful man. He’s made money off spreading that fear far and wide. He’s doing it for the money and fame so don’t feel to sorry for him. He’s cycled through millions of pounds of donations and media salaries.

Spidey66 · 02/08/2026 11:02

I have no sympathies for Tommy Robinson whatsoever. Vile man.

StormGazing · 02/08/2026 11:03

The man is just a scumbag, education has nothing to do with it, there are plenty of educated people who are very similar …. They’re all scumbags

missmollygreen · 02/08/2026 11:08

I pity him. His world must be a horrible place to live. Even if he has made it the way it is.

whenallthesconesaregone · 02/08/2026 11:09

Don’t worry! He’s either got skin as thick as a rhino or an inner monologue capable of spinning anything in his favour. Whilst the Oxford debate was high profile and very entertaining, it won’t be his first time.. From day dot I’m sure people have been pointing out the steaming great flaws in his logic and serving his arse on a plate to him. He doesn’t care & clearly doesn’t take feedback

Shloopie · 02/08/2026 11:09

YABU

Fuck him

Crikeyalmighty · 02/08/2026 11:10

Smart enough though to have made money spreading bigotry and hate to the gullible and the idea that ‘I’m
One of you’ - I wouldn’t worry too much about him

Nousernameideaaga · 02/08/2026 11:10

YABU

He’s a racist violent thug

12345onceIcaughta · 02/08/2026 11:11

Why is he always so red faced?
Is it alcohol abuse or embarrassment?

Lomonald · 02/08/2026 11:12

Apparently he almost qualified as an Engineer but that was scuppered when he punched someone and ended up in jail, any "failure" is of his own making,

Lomonald · 02/08/2026 11:13

12345onceIcaughta · 02/08/2026 11:11

Why is he always so red faced?
Is it alcohol abuse or embarrassment?

I imagine it is substance induced mixed with his hatred simmering away.

soddingspiderseason · 02/08/2026 11:14

He’s an adult. He makes his own choices and has free will to reflect on any “challenges” in his background and change his behaviour accordingly. He chooses instead to peddle hatred and fear. No sympathy for him whatsoever; he got destroyed because his views are abhorrent.

DeterminedRat · 02/08/2026 11:15

MyDarlingRose · 02/08/2026 11:00

He isn’t just an ignorant, uneducated fearful man. He’s made money off spreading that fear far and wide. He’s doing it for the money and fame so don’t feel to sorry for him. He’s cycled through millions of pounds of donations and media salaries.

This. He isn't powered by fear he is a grifter doing it all for the money. There is a lot of that about these days.

Shloopie · 02/08/2026 11:16

It's a tad infantilizing to suggest that poor Stephen/Tommy has been failed by society and the people around him. He's made millions by weaponising hate. Why would you feel sorry for that toe-rag?

Couldyounot · 02/08/2026 11:18

12345onceIcaughta · 02/08/2026 11:11

Why is he always so red faced?
Is it alcohol abuse or embarrassment?

Cocaine, mainly, or at least as I understand it

Couldyounot · 02/08/2026 11:19

Shloopie · 02/08/2026 11:16

It's a tad infantilizing to suggest that poor Stephen/Tommy has been failed by society and the people around him. He's made millions by weaponising hate. Why would you feel sorry for that toe-rag?

Exactly this. No-one is making any of these people say these things. It is a choice, and by the looks of it a quite lucrative one.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 02/08/2026 11:21

He's a manipulative, evil, racist little shit who has monitised his toxic beliefs.
Comtempt is the only thing I think about him.

likelysuspect · 02/08/2026 11:22

He's too stupid to realise isnt he, so he probably doesnt feel destroyed or embarrased or any of the normal feelings others would have. Ignorance is bliss as they say. Im not sure he has any insight.

LakieLady · 02/08/2026 11:24

Lomonald · 02/08/2026 11:13

I imagine it is substance induced mixed with his hatred simmering away.

Could be that, but living in Spain may be harsh on his Anglo-Irish skin.

He's probably too thick to use sunscreen.

SerendipityJane · 02/08/2026 11:34

Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, and Fox were speaking in favour of the motion “This House believes the West is right to be suspicious of Islam”.

In the end, Robinson’s motion was defeated by 57 votes to 41.

Rather than crocodile tears for Yaxley Lennon, I would invest my energies into thinking about those 41 people who sided with the motion. There may be some complex nuanced thinking in their stance. Or not.

FredBares · 02/08/2026 11:38

Lots of people don’t know how to debate, it’s very very common.

SerendipityJane · 02/08/2026 11:45

FredBares · 02/08/2026 11:38

Lots of people don’t know how to debate, it’s very very common.

Does that suggest he could have won were he more silver tongued ?