FFS Clacton

I suspect it's unlikely. I asked AI if we can get through the paralysis caused by the word racist. The deliberate theatre of a comedy writer who has been described by his supporters as attempting a double irony on Clacton, ie Farage is theatre so let's out theatre him, is potentially a tipping point. This comedian has unknowingly provided a "peak identity" as he's simply the ultimate expression of the word "racist" paralysis, and how empty it is. Maybe we are at the peak but the sanctimony is so enjoyable now that politics is addicted to it.

From genesis AI

Signs of an Eventual Shift
A break in the deadlock will likely only occur if the semantic power of the word itself degrades. A 2025 study noted that 67% of British voters feel the country is heavily divided by culture wars. As the public grows increasingly cynical regarding political theater, a tipping point may arrive where voters simply penalize parties that use identity politics to mask structural failures in public utilities, housing, and the economy.

In Britain, this deadlock is unlikely to break in the near future, as the country's political landscape undergoes a major structural "unfreezing" where cultural identity and the weaponization of the word "racist" have become central to party survival. 1]
Rather than resolving, the deadlock is intensifying due to distinct pressures across the UK's shifting five-party system. 1]

There are people on MN who did vote for him. Why would they be treated as Global joke. If he had won he wasn’t going to sit in Parliament with his costume on.

This is happening all over Europe. As long as large numbers of military aged males from incompatible cultures are entering our countries and either being allowed to stay or just staying anyway by multiple appeals or disappearing into the grey economy, anti-immigration parties will be on the rise.

Add to that, crimes and terrorism committed by asylum seekers and refugees and you'll get situations like in Germany where they have 152 far right AFD in the German parliament or France where le Pen's National Rally are tipped to win the next election. This is what happens when politicians dismiss people as ignorant bigots.

That's not how politics works - never was and never will be. Very few people actually read manifestos and even if they do, they end up disappointed when politicians renege on their promises and commitments as they do time and time and time again. You may sneer at @BerryTwister's post of 10.51 and call it laughable but it's actually spot on - years of politicians ignoring communities, usually in poorer areas, and dismissing their concerns has lead to this. I saw it coming years ago - many of us did - and now here we are.

@ITMA2000 @UrbanFan Would you have voted for a man dresses as a bin and been happy about being treated as a Global joke for your 'choice' of MP?

Why the name calling? Another member of the intolerant, ranting, name calling, be kind left are we?

It’s up to voters there though. Same for any by-election.

How have they benefitted from voting for Farage? Where is he? Where has he been for them as their MP?

Binface said he would take the role sensibly if actually voted in. And I believe him more than I believe Farage.

The investigation has reopened. Farage is no better off than he was on 7 July. By the way, you said you were the “left” - do you usually have short term memory issues?

Tell me you've never been to Clacton without telling me you've never been to Clacton...!

You were ridiculous to think this wouldn't be the outcome.

Even if what you say is true, maybe it’s time people grew thicker skins and did something like read a manifesto before they decide what to vote.

My argument is that without Farage, Reform wouldn’t be getting votes at all. He’s a populist figure, much like Trump. He is immune to the terrible things he does. Other politicians, not so much.

Like I said, Reform councillors get kicked out when people realise that they don’t actually do any work.

I absolutely disagree with Farage and his politics and his grifting and his being influenced by foreign interests, however he has no time for Tommy Robinson. He could have gone that way and he didn’t.

So yeah there are worse things out there.

Farage as PM isn't the answer. But perhaps the possibility of it might at last wake up the other parties into dealing with concerns.

Farage has been the most consequential British politician in the past 20 years.

The people who voted for him in Clacton did send a message.

They’ve also kept him in position.

You might disagree with the message (so, mostly, do I). But calling your political opponents morons when they’ve just beaten you again should lead to a moment of reflection.

Yep, especially when he faces a legal climb down on his plans to distribute the economic migrants to non-Labour voting areas.

@noblegiraffe that reminds me of a book I read about a parallel universe in which Hitler wasn’t born. The person in his place was much worse.

It is a shift in politics in many western countries but it’s not populist, not really any more than something else voters want.

I’ve been trying to think what would have happened if Farage had died in that plane crash. Would things have played out the same way?

He has been a figurehead and a lightning rod but the same conversations about immigration are being had in countries around the world without Farage. It’s a global issue and I think other people would have stepped up to take his spot. Like Rupert Lowe is trying to.

Yep we are all in peril from hate ...I agree desperate dangerous times...uneducated people managed to see they were being manipulated in the past...I can only hope that happens again ...though maybe they need the economic shocks ...£5 million pounds pay offs doesn't seem to have enlightened anyone, neither European Parliament pension etc..

@Palomiino my job involves interacting with members of the public from all walks of life all day, and I would say my post pretty much sums it up. Farage supporters feel they are dismissed as stupid, and that makes them all the more determined to vote for him.

You think they would have benefited from voting for a comedian dressed as a bin?

Who did you vote for at the last election? Perhaps some will think you're also a "moron".

The reform councillors in my area got kicked out because they are lazy and don’t actually do any work. They are nothing more than a cardboard cut out.

While we are on the subject of money, how much is it costing us for Andys Westminster North malarkey? Just cos his missus doesnt want to live in London. So thats more millions swilling down the drain.
Who is it who is actually running the country? Missus Burnham?

That is a laughable and incredibly simplistic assessment of what is going on.

Populist politics is a bug that doesn’t seem to be going away.

Clacton I hope that you are pleased with yourselves. Utter morons voting for Farage instead of sending a clear message. Just think what that £250k that has been wasted on this ridiculous by election could have been spent on instead.

This was your chance and you blew it.

What has he personally done for any of you at all? Just what benefits have you seen having him as your MP? Name one thing.

The man couldn't even be bothered to turn up for the count. He's laughing his vile head off at you all.