Farage is leader of the opposition

[Aladdinzane]

https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/general-election-live-updates-reform-labour-tories-3110227

Farage is claiming he is the de facto leader of the opposition and that he should get a head to head debate with Starmer. His party currently holds no seats.

What do you think?

Is someone positioning himself for something after the election?

You need the voice and the mannerisms.

On the debate, there was a question about whether people who come here on work visas should be allowed to bring their dependants - that didn't really get explored and Farage was keen to dismiss that. He said that "You shouldn't bring your mum over" - which you can't do anyway - but he exaggerated something for effect.

He should have been asked what effect it would have if people who we need to work here can't bring a spouse / children over? But these are rushed debates with soundbites - little time for detailed exploration.

Shining light on his views can expose the issues with them. When you just can't come up with soundbites but have to actually understand the issue.

I have scraped better things than that man off of the sole of my boot.

@cakeorwine But these are rushed debates with soundbites - little time for detailed exploration.

Yes, exactly. I think the media do the public a disservice.

I'd like to see Beth Rigby (or someone else) have a full hour buttonholing Farage. She's brighter than him, and an hour might be long enough to wear him down.

Sadly, the media are probably right in thinking that the modern TV viewer wouldn't be able to engage with a 1-1 interview in prime time.

Farage vs Hislop.

This is the ideal situation

He's a fascist, that's plain. It's inexpedient for him to voice that but it's what he is. The generations that remembered the 1930s and subsequent developments have all died off, only a few are left. Everyone should acquaint themselves with what that could mean for this country. We won't like it if we find ourselves there through sheer laziness and ignorance.

Good !!

@Trinity65

You think it's good Farage claims he is leader of the opposition?

Oh yes, if anyone from the media is reading this, please make this happen

if You mean a vote of no confidence, we have no written constitution so while there is the convention that a pm losing would resign, it’s not written in the rules.

there’s a chance a theoretical pm farage (god help us) could ignore it. Play by the letter of the law rather than the spirit, and since there is no letter, the 5 year term could be it

It's my long held belief that a posh voice and a penis will get you anywhere in this country.

It's not record high funding in real terms - it's reduced funds since the last labour government - when things were quite good in the NHS.

Plus an ageing population more obesity more poverty (the latter 2 worsened by Tory policy). Plus the effects of waiting lists and lack of GP appointments making problems more advanced and therefore expensive to treat. Therefore more money is needed

It wasn't pr it was av?

Reform - which is not a registered political party - is 1% ahead of the Conservatives in one recent poll but they are likely to win at best one constituency seat - Farage's. That does not make them a significant political force in Government. It makes them Farage's ego machine.

Nevertheless they shouldn't be ignored. 1) because they are a dog whistle populist right ring group with most of their candidates having links to nationalist/racist groups 2) their resurgence could cause a disastrous lurch up the right in the Conservative Party leaving us without the balancing effect of a centrist party on the right in opposition to Labour. And by the looks of things we could have a long term Labour government which, without economic growth caused by Brexit will have very few solutions at their disposal to address the deep set problems we face with underfunded public services. Which will give space and oxygen to far right extremists.

We need to remind everyone why the allies fought the Second World War - against fascism.

I didn’t say they did. But that’s the joy of social media, I can right what I like 👍

My favourite colour is green and I’m a huge fan of pasta. See, no one asked and I’m sure no one cares, but I get to write it anyway!

Only that it’s a daft idea and that I already have more than enough pupils in my classes. Additionally, my school is going to require more than half a teacher extra to provide the education our children deserve.

I described my job and age because many people seem to think only 50-odd year old white men vote for Nigel Farage, but actually compared to the two main parties, his appeal is a bit more far reaching these days.

A bit like Labours Vaughan Gethin in Wales, who has done just that.

*Write

Too much gin this afternoon.

The opposition, in Parliament, are those with the second biggest number of seats.

Farage, and whatever party, haven’t got any seats.

He’s just an empty vessel making a lot of noise.🙄

The way you spelt boarder/border was the point of my mail.

Wtf are you talking about, I know how an election works.

I think this too.

It's why long form interviews on platforms like Youtube have become so popular. People want to dig into what people are saying. You don't get that at all really in mainstream media sources.

I like Nigel Farage and I’m glad there’s someone keeping the country from going too far left.

Yes because that's obviously what's been the main problem over the last decade.

Farage is a self obsessed idiot who is a racist misogynist. He's failed to become an MP seven times, though Clacton is probably going to fall for his 'charms' as the residents seem poor, white, working class right wingers. The media fawn over him to demonstrate that they are not Labour luvvies, so he gets on Question Time, god knows why. The Reform Party is actually a company not a political party, and is partly owned by Farage.

What a stupid comment.
Farage has never called for the extermination of an entire race of people, unlike your pro Palestinian Hammas supporting friends who march every weekend calling for the destruction of the only Jewish state.

Demonising “poor, working class people’s” opinions is snobbish and elitist.
I guess they are good enough to clean your toilet but not good enough to vote.
Couldn’t you at least try not to sound like a privileged, middle class elitist twat.
I’m definitely going to have to vote Reform now in protest at your comment 🤪