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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Nigel Farage is the most damaging political figure we have had for decades?

101 replies

Zadig · 12/10/2017 15:32

This man made it his entire life's ambition to exit the UK from the EU. He has campaigned on this issue for decades and achieved his goal by becoming the "pied piper" to the disaffected and tapping into the insidious racism that lurks beneath our society. Ugly stuff.
Then, on achieving his life's ambition, what does he do? He resigns.
Yes we were all glad to see the back of him obviously, but AIBU to feel he should have been forced to head up and deal with the shit show that is Brexit, rather than running away from the train wreck he set in motion? Of all politicians, I find his hypocrisy totally staggering.

OP posts:
Ttbb · 12/10/2017 16:21

But why? He wasn't solely responsible for brexit and he is in no way responsible for running the country. I definitely don't want him having any part in running the country during brexit or after brexit. I don't think that you could really call him the worst st all, just the only one who has managed to have any sway over politics despite never being in government/opposition

PinkBuffalo · 12/10/2017 16:22

IDS and the Cameron government are some of the most damaging. Due to their welfare reforms thousands are left suffering and many have died. I think that's far more serious but for some reason people starving in 21st century Britain isn't classed as important in some circles.

Trueheart1 · 12/10/2017 16:22

To my mind, he should not be free to walk the streets.

So you want those you disagree with politically jailed. And you think this is a normal acceptable way to think.

And this is why I think the most dangerous political thinking of the last 50 years has come from the left wing and their sheep who may well sleepwalk us into a totalitarian state.

Bravo. Could not agree more

Original poster
Zadig · 12/10/2017 17:12

Well obviously I don't literally think he should be jailed (though I wouldn't pay his bail). Nor am I left-wing or in favour of a totalitarian state Confused.

Despite never having been anywhere near govt, I do believe NF managed

OP posts:
Original poster
Zadig · 12/10/2017 17:13

Sorry posted to soon ...

Managed to incite the kind of xenophobia the UK should be ashamed of.

OP posts:
scaryteacher · 12/10/2017 17:18

Why is it xenophobic to profoundly disagree with the EU and vote accordingly?

Original poster
Zadig · 12/10/2017 17:21

I think Brexit may never have happened if it wasn't for the Syrian refugee crises and the fact our TV screens were showing hoards of dispossessed people heading across Europe.

NF exploited this tragedy and capitalised on people's fear and paranoia. He tapped into the unpleasant racism and xenophobia of huge swathes in our society and gave them an "acceptable voice".

OP posts:
Terfing · 12/10/2017 17:22

I'm no fan of Farage and his gang, but they are entitled to their opinions just as much as you, I, and everyone else is.

Hillingdon · 12/10/2017 17:22

Have to say its Corbyn for me. A frightening prospect for this country

WhollyFather · 12/10/2017 17:24

Damaging? I'd make him a Lord. Most effective politician since Thatcher. Achieved exactly what he set out to do. You don't like it? Tough.

And don't spray mindless PC abuse on 17.4 million of your fellow citizens.

MargaretTwatyer · 12/10/2017 17:25

But you don't think he should be 'walking the streets'. Maybe you meant a nice kind of house arrest like Aung Sang Su Kyi?

Regardless of the specifics you were proposing sanctions against people you disagree with politically. Which, yes, is a characteristic of a totalitarian state.

It's amazing how many people think totalitarian states aren't totalitarian as long as they agree with it's politics.

FlossNightingale · 12/10/2017 17:27

Brexit was a slow train but it was always going to arrive eventually.

Heratnumber7 · 12/10/2017 17:28

Farage is still an MEP. He is fighting for the UK from within the EU.

MargaretTwatyer · 12/10/2017 17:30

I think Brexit may never have happened if it wasn't for the Syrian refugee crises and the fact our TV screens were showing hoards of dispossessed people heading across Europe.

NF exploited this tragedy and capitalised on people's fear and paranoia. He tapped into the unpleasant racism and xenophobia of huge swathes in our society and gave them an "acceptable voice".

Yes, so basically you're saying everybody should have had the same view on these events as you and if they didn't we should actively seek to silence them.

And you are not in favour of totalitarianism. Right.

Hillingdon · 12/10/2017 17:34

I have to agree with Wholly. MN's is largely left wing and JC is treated often like - well Jesus Christ.

Nigel was/is a very effective politican whether you believe in what he is saying or not!

FlossNightingale · 12/10/2017 17:35

Why do the left ignore the fact Corbyn is a Eurosceptic, anyway?

CaoNiMartacus · 12/10/2017 17:36

He's the modern-day Oswald Mosley.

PoppyPopcorn · 12/10/2017 17:37

I feel the same about Alex Salmond and Nicole Sturgeon who are also hellbent on pulling the UK apart at any cost.

MrsTerryPratchett · 12/10/2017 17:41

He's the modern-day Oswald Mosley.

Some on here would think he was entitled to his racist opinion as well.

Original poster
Zadig · 12/10/2017 17:48

We no, Margaret, this is AIBU.

Fortunately I live in a London Remain borough. However, I have family in another area of the country, mainly pensioners now, who were strong UKIP supporters and these are the actual reasons they give for having voted Brexit -

  • To give the Germans a "good hiding".. "Two world wars, one World Cup and Brexit" (yes really. They were chanting this in the pub for weeks). Shock
  • To shut the door in the face of "everyone coming to take our jobs" and "the terrorists queuing at Calais". These are people who have claimed benefits for most of their adult life and have barely clapped eyes on a refugee.
  • To stop "them" making "all our laws", even though nobody could actually name a single EU piece of legislation.

I'm sure some people voted Brexit for less spurious reasons, but I do think the above mentality is what Farage encouraged and exploited.

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FlossNightingale · 12/10/2017 17:52

I think Farage wanted to leave the E.U. and was happy to use anything promoting that view. Likewise, Cameron wanted to stay.

It largely came down to economy vs immigration though, I agree.

But concerns re freedom of movement aren't the same as racism.

Elendon · 12/10/2017 17:57

I blame the Romans. How far back are we going with this?

Farage and the other kippers are still banking their £80,000 per year salary.

Cameron is currently writing in a hut - a very nice hut.

Meanwhile Johnson, who wants to leave the cabinet so, so, badly, as does Gove, have to sit there and sweat it out!

Johnson and Gove should be the one's to take us forward.

MargaretTwatyer · 12/10/2017 18:03

Ah. You've extrapolated the views of 17.4 million people from a handful of people you claim you know.

How scientific and indisputable. Have you thought about submitting it to a sociology or politics journal for peer review.

Original poster
Zadig · 12/10/2017 18:08

No Margaret. I am not saying 17.4 million people think like that (though alarmingly it seems many do). I am saying that is the mentality Farage shamelessly exploited and gave an "acceptable face" to.

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Elendon · 12/10/2017 18:11

Ah but Margaret you claim to KNOW the reason why the 17.4 million people who voted Brexit.

please do not say sovereignty

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