To wish we had someone like Mamdani in UK politics?

[LostInManhattan]

Someone who’s passionate, young and willing to break the rules in politics, all while caring about his city and the people in it. I wish we had someone like that here.

Can you bring yourself to say that Hamas are terrorists?

We do don’t we? Why wouldn’t you include Polanski as similar op?

Personally, I’d prefer someone like Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Her stance on secularism and women’s rights resonate with me.

We have Zack Polanski. Hope, not hate.

He supports anti women legislation so no.

Mamdani supported Proposal 1, a 2024 amendment to the Constitution of New York that made it unconstitutional to engage in discrimination based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), pregnancy and pregnancy-related outcomes, or reproductive healthcare and autonomy.

Well he ain't white and he's Muslim. Can't allow HIM to be elected. Oh and he's a Communist also, I forgot that bit. Anything else?

He will make a great mayor. Shake 'em all up a bit. But Trump said he will scupper the city budget or something if he gets in, so that's that isn't it? Somebody is afraid of him.

I wish there were more centrist and fewer populist politicians everywhere. Somewhere between Trump and Mamdani.

The world is very complex and I have become deeply distrustful of simple solutions. I do realise that makes me a fence sitter.

There is an epidemic of depression in Western countries. People genuinely don't believe we deserve better, or that the generations long arc of progress can continue. And so they vote for 'realism' that will make their material conditions worse, every time.

So Jews don't count?

You don't believe that the Jewish people have a right to self determination? You don't believe Israel should exist?

I live in Florida and we're bracing for a huge influx of the wealthy out of NYC. Miami is already the US' #2 financial capital. A few years of "free" stuff in NYC and Wall St. will entirely relocate to here.

Socialists forget that money is fungible.

You didn't mention a single policy. A much higher minimum wage is laudible but will just drive away employers. He also wants a temporary rent freeze for certain residents. All the evidence suggests that will just lead to higher rents for everyone else. Free public transport is another great idea, but it still has to be paid for. It's more magic money tree nonsense.

What has he said thats anti-Semitic,I haven’t heard anything?

Mamdani is interesting & apparently radical. Let’s see what he actually does if & when he get elected. In particular, let’s see what happens when his idealistic policies collide with the realities of having to be paid fo4 by someone. That’s usually where radical leftist policies start to fall apart.

He refuses to condemn Hamas, so that should tell you something.

I haven’t seen anything about that at all? I can’t find anything online do you have a link?

What exactly is his plan to make New York better? Better for who?

He repeatedly refused to condemn the expression “globalise the intifada” (see YouTube for the interview). To many that expression simply means antisemitic terror attacks like the recent one in Manchester in which two Jews were killed at their synagogue on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

I don’t think someone like that is wonderful and wouldn’t want him here.

But surely you see why it’s bizarre to ask a city mayoral candidate about that?

It’s very sensible to ask someone exceedingly pro Palestine (it’s a major platform of his) to confirm that their support does not cross a red line.

I was just going to say that. So much on this thread about Hamas and Israel. He has repeatedly said he wants to focus on New York. He isn't looking to be the mayor of Israel or the mayor of Palestine.

I think in a pretty bleak world he is a breath of fresh air.

How? New York has the largest population of Jews outside Israel. Globalise the intifada is a direct threat to Jews everywhere in the diaspora. Its bizarre to think he wouldn't be asked to condemn it, especially when it is shouted on the streets of New York.

How on earth could you think it was not relevant?

New York Jews seem very happy with him

I know absolutely nothing about him other than his election would seriously piss Trump off. That’ll do for me.

Yes I am quite aware of the terrible attacks in Manchester, not that I understand what it has to do with a mayoral candidate from NYC?

I think the problem with the phrase is that some see it as anti-semitic and some don’t - I don’t think it should be used, I think another less charged phrase could be used.

I believed him to have said that he wouldn’t stop the freedom of speech, as some people believe it to mean non-violent solidarity with Palestinians, but said that he would not use it himself.

IMO Trump and Netenyahu/Israeli government have said and done worse.

I do truly believe a lot of hate for Mamdani because of his race and religion