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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU that our PM is disgraceful comparing….

79 replies

Blogblogblogblog · 19/03/2022 23:14

…the Ukraine resistance against Russian troups to the British voting to leave the EU.

From the BBC: he said Britons, like Ukrainians, had the instinct "to choose freedom", citing the 2016 vote to leave the EU as a "famous recent example".

Seeing the death and destruction on t.v. and thinking it’s a good analogy? I don’t get what could possibly be going through his mind to even think this.

OP posts:
Lurkerlot · 20/03/2022 10:05

A throwaway phrase used to remind the party faithful the reason why Boris is their chosen one, and will remain the one.

PierresPotato · 20/03/2022 10:06

Yes Ken but we can focus on our own stuff rather than picking over this guy's latest idiocy.

ThreeFeetTall · 20/03/2022 10:07

@cakeorwine exactly.

It's a silly comparison anyway but given the context it is very very odd. Ukrainians are dying in part because of their country's desire to be closer to the EU. And Johnson compares it to leaving the EU. Confused

x2boys · 20/03/2022 10:13

And yet most threads on here over the past few weeks about the awful situation in Ukraine ,have somehow managed to make it all about Brexit 🤔

Kendodd · 20/03/2022 10:13

Then, a speech to the faithful and he just can't resist blowing his own trumpet, patting himself on the back, in a naked attempt to capitalise on the Ukrainian tragedy and boost his own

Yes I think that might be it. He's trying to compare himself to Zelensky. Infuriating really because at the same time he's been rolling around and performing tricks like a trained poodle for Russian money.
Who's that Kermlin connected Tory donor who called his dog Boris?

Kendodd · 20/03/2022 10:14

Oh but of course Johnson will get away with this, just like everything else.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 20/03/2022 10:14

Sunak on the media this morning saying he wasn't comparing the war in Ukraine and choosing freedom with Brexit.

Of course. BJ just used the words 'This', 'Country', 'Like', 'Ukraine', 'Choose', 'Freedom', and 'Brexit'. These are common words that all of us have used at one time or another. Yet when BJ uses these words, in close succession and in a particular order, the haters assign some kind of meaning to them. It's so unfair.

It's exactly like all those times he just happened to wander into a room or garden during lockdown. We've all done that. He wasn't to know there would be lots of people there, and alcohol, and crisps, and music, and tinsel.

cakeorwine · 20/03/2022 10:19

@Lurkerlot

A throwaway phrase used to remind the party faithful the reason why Boris is their chosen one, and will remain the one.
I wonder how many people who were at the conference and heard that comment thought "What the fuck" but were too frightened to speak truth to power?

It's scary to speak up when you are surrounded by people who agree with the things the leader is saying and will defend him no matter what he says or does.

EthelTheAardvark · 20/03/2022 10:22

@Hawkins001

Anyways I defended the head of mi6 and I'm guessing I'll get similar responses here. So to all that read this, why name call and character assassinate ? Does it make those that do feel better ? Why would you spend time gutter talking when you can debate and constructive analysis different perspectives ?
How much debate can you actually have about the crassness of Johnson's statement, though? What is the opposing viewpoint? That he was absolutely right? If so, by all means tell us why.
PierresPotato · 20/03/2022 10:23

He's presumably trying to get everyone to forget about his prior partying with the Russian guy.
Oh I just googled and seen his Lebedev friendship has been reported on this week.

He's such an embarrassment as PM.

LizDoingTheCanCan · 20/03/2022 10:24

@x2boys

And yet most threads on here over the past few weeks about the awful situation in Ukraine ,have somehow managed to make it all about Brexit 🤔
That's not true though, is it? All these threads are still available if you want to check again. Many people have pointed out that EU countries have been far more welcoming of refugees, but that's not related to Brexit, but rather, compassion.
Kendodd · 20/03/2022 10:31

Many people have pointed out that EU countries have been far more welcoming of refugees, but that's not related to Brexit, but rather, compassion.

Actually I think that is Brexit related. Immigration was a massive driver for Brexit, Brexit voters are very powerful within the Tory party and carried them to government. They can't be seen to be open to immigration, they know this will lose them the support of their faithful.

EthelTheAardvark · 20/03/2022 10:34

They can't be seen to be open to immigration, they know this will lose them the support of their faithful.

I'm sure that is what they're thinking, but I'm not sure they're right. They will be keeping the ultra-right wing and bigoted happy, but the reaction to the crisis has shown that that is really a small minority; the majority of the population really don't think that way about Ukrainian refugees.

LizDoingTheCanCan · 20/03/2022 10:38

@Kendodd

Many people have pointed out that EU countries have been far more welcoming of refugees, but that's not related to Brexit, but rather, compassion.

Actually I think that is Brexit related. Immigration was a massive driver for Brexit, Brexit voters are very powerful within the Tory party and carried them to government. They can't be seen to be open to immigration, they know this will lose them the support of their faithful.

That's a fair point, albeit a very depressing one.

How did the majority become so horribly lacking in empathy?

balalake · 20/03/2022 10:40

Mr Johnson is the worst Prime Minister this country has ever had.

If someone like him was now Ukranian President, think how much worse the horrors the people of Ukraine would now be suffering.

There is no comparison in the UK, it is over 200 years since a foreign army came onto mainland soil, and then only one small battle.

Blossomtoes · 20/03/2022 10:58

@TheKeatingFive

Who are the 8%? Jesus Confused
I know. It really makes you wonder. 🙄
motherofgodhaudyerwheesht · 20/03/2022 11:03

I am actively restricting news watching now as I am in utter despair at the role and rhetoric of our country as expressed by the current government in these desperate times. Boris is not fit for office in any meaningful way, and he is a dangerous liability in the shadow of war.

Suspecting his latest 'gaffe' was probably a meticulously planned, carefully chosen distraction from the litany of unresolved corruptions and misdemeanours makes it even worse. Do his speeches have no oversight at all? Did others in the party think that comparison was OK?

Someone here said that they feel just like a consumer unit, generating income for the government to pursue their shameless self-aggrandising agenda, and I absolutely get that feeling of unimportance and powerlessness. Dont think I have ever felt like that before. This must be what it feels like when there is no trust in a government which has normalised lying and obfuscation and gaslighting on a gargantuan level

This is a feeling of utter shame.

EthelTheAardvark · 20/03/2022 11:08

Who are the 8%? Jesus
I know. It really makes you wonder

There's usually a few Tory fangirls who turn up on these threads for whom Johnson can do no wrong. They are probably checking out the Central Office official line on this as I write, or frantically searching to try to find some report of an instance when an obscure Labour politician said something crass at some point in the last 25 years.

MushroomCow99 · 20/03/2022 11:16

Why are people surprised? Party gate was only 3 months ago!
Time to get him out for GOOD.

Blossomtoes · 20/03/2022 11:19

@EthelTheAardvark

Who are the 8%? Jesus I know. It really makes you wonder

There's usually a few Tory fangirls who turn up on these threads for whom Johnson can do no wrong. They are probably checking out the Central Office official line on this as I write, or frantically searching to try to find some report of an instance when an obscure Labour politician said something crass at some point in the last 25 years.

I think Clavinova must have the day off today. Normally she’d be copying and pasting all sorts of nonsense on this thread.
DaggerIsle · 20/03/2022 11:20

It's not even a good analogy- since they were invaded and have to defend their land, the Ukrainians have increased efforts to join the EU as soon as possible.
The opposite to what Johnson is suggesting.

MythicalBiologicalFennel · 20/03/2022 11:26

@ChimneyPot

I somehow don’t think Zelensky wrote 2 speeches, one against the Russian invasion and the other welcoming as liberators before deciding which side he was on.
Well said.
AlexaShutUp · 20/03/2022 11:28

@DaggerIsle

It's not even a good analogy- since they were invaded and have to defend their land, the Ukrainians have increased efforts to join the EU as soon as possible. The opposite to what Johnson is suggesting.
Well, quite. Most of us in this country have really admired the tremendous courage and tenacity that the Ukrainian people have shown in fighting for their country in recent weeks. These are people who are clearly willing to sacrifice a great deal for their freedom. And yet they actively want to join the EU and don't view EU membership as posing any risks to their sovereignty.

The comparison is a stupid one, on so many different levels. But Boris will get away with it, as he always does. It seems that nothing can touch him, no matter how low he stoops.

HRTQueen · 20/03/2022 11:28

Disappointing that anyone would make such comparisons but not at all shocked that he did

Now is another chance for Starmer to prove is the better person to lead the country

cakeorwine · 20/03/2022 11:29

@DaggerIsle

It's not even a good analogy- since they were invaded and have to defend their land, the Ukrainians have increased efforts to join the EU as soon as possible. The opposite to what Johnson is suggesting.
Johnson should be asked if he thinks Ukraine is giving up freedoms by wanting to join the EU.