To timidly suggest that Nigel Farage is not a racist

[Millyonthefloss]

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?

But I have seen people on here vociferously claim that to object to unlabelled halal meat (other religious groups can't eat it) is racist.

On this thread people have said that posters talking about the behaviour they've observed from Roma is racist.

So it's not just the right wing press is it?

"But I have seen people on here vociferously claim that to object to unlabelled halal meat (other religious groups can't eat it) is racist"

Have you? How odd. It isn't, by the way.

Saying that Roma people throw their rubbish out of the window instead of using bins is, though.

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.

This, I kind of agree with.
In fact it's getting annoying now and I think the word is overused and abused, to the extent that people aren't buying it anymore.
People know a smear campaign when they see one.

But as for the 'geezer' label. I think you're a bit delusional for thinking that any politician is one of us.

I like him. He says it like it is.

much nanny and PC over the top, no one can say anything these days without it being rascist/xenophobic or islamaphobic.

I know someone who is completely and utterly disablist though -but that's not deemed a crime cos of who he is.

prime minister, is it?

I know who Im voting for come referendum AND the next election.

I really can't stand the man but I don't think he's a racist (I'm mixed race, not that I speak on behalf of all non-White people). I do think he's a xenophobe and that many of his supporters are racist.

Boris Johnson, on the otherhand has said racist things. He's a very dangerous person. Matthew Paris was bang on the money about him too. I can't believe people are listening to him when he achieved nothing as Mayor of London just finishing off started by his predecessor and towards the end he couldn't even be bothered to pretend to be arsed and took on other jobs. He's been fired for lying in the past too.

Who says that most people on mumsnet think NF is a racist?
Of course it's not funding cuts that are causing problems in schools and in the NHS. It is the huge increase in the number of people that are using these services, and their additional language needs.
I do not understand why people think this is ok. Why do people think it is ok for all of these people from the EU, and elsewhere to come here and use theses services free of charge.
Can someone explain why this is ok, and why they think it is a good idea.

Why do people think it is ok for all of these people from the EU, and elsewhere to come here and use theses services free of charge.

I don't use these services free of charge; I'm a higher rate tax payer

Nigel Farage has a view, it is not a racist view. It is too easy to throw allegations such as this when people disagree with a view point.

Thank you, BertrandRussell*. I wish people who want to follow the culture of FGM and forcing girls to cover themselves from head to toe would go and practice that culture elsewhere.

Well said, OP How Farage takes this personal abuse day-in and day-out is beyond me, it would break most people. I think there are some pretty nasty and intolerant liberals out there. They are all for political tolerance - as long as you agree with them! If you don't happen to agree you're likely to get a mouthful of personal abuse and accusations.

I don't dislike Nagel Farage at all and I am Eastern European.

I absolutely agree with you, Tryingtosaveup. Yes, some people will be paying taxes but some clearly are not paying a penny and they and their seven kids are being paid for by someone else who is paying tax.

If they are not contributing they shouldn't be taking anything out.

The income from taxpayers doesn't cover the welfare bill anyway. Why is the Government allowing this to continue?

Then we borrow money to give away. If I went down to my local bank, took out £5,000 knowing I would be paying X% interest for five years and gave it to the first person I saw, everyone here would be saying I was completely mad. But clearly some people here think that is the thing to do.

Yes, some people will be paying taxes but some clearly are not paying a penny and they and their seven kids are being paid for by someone else who is paying tax.

If they are not contributing they shouldn't be taking anything out.

Does that apply to British people too?

Immigration does not equal xenophobic or racist

I love the way The BBC managed to make Farage look like a real pro on QT last night. I thought that was impossible, but in trying to be biased, it back fired, and they managed it.

I see they have lots about their rival ITV'S debate on their news networks, but nothing about their own. Curious that..... It goes to show how badly it went!

"Of course it's not funding cuts that are causing problems in schools and in the NHS. It is the huge increase in the number of people that are using these services, and their additional language needs.
I do not understand why people think this is ok. Why do people think it is ok for all of these people from the EU, and elsewhere to come here and use theses services free of charge."

Last time I visited a hospital the highest proportion of foreigners was among the nurses and doctors. How bloody dare they come over here and cure the ailments of British taxpayers?

Controlled imigration would still allow Doctors and nurses to come here. It would stop the millions of unskilled workers that are a drain on our schools/hospitals/housing from coming though. Our services cannot cope with three million in ten years. We must vote brexit!

This story came out this week; www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/shameless-mum-12-cheryl-prudham-8093753

I think there are enough Brits causing trouble for our welfare system, but of course let's blame the immigrants!

Op: yanbu. But too many hysterical people around to ever debate this properly.

#voteleave.