A huge march against the Far Right

Iam64, I do actually see Pakistani, Iranian or Israeli flags in the UK as quite intimidating. It makes me aware that there are people in the UK who are passionate about their countries - I have no idea how far they would go to defend their countries, but I doubt if it's more than a handful who would do something extremist.

The difference is with flying Union Jacks and St George's flags is that most people know who's behind hanging them on lamp posts and painting mini roundabouts. I've seen the messages on social media, as I expect many others have. I know what kind of values these people have. I am British and the don't speak for me. They don't represent the country I love. It's intimidating because it seems that my own country is being stolen from me by people who claim to be acting as they do in my name (and many other people like me).

Cumbrianmale56

Meandrogrog

Cumbrianmale56

The problem is anyone who is concerned about immigration is automatically labelled as far Right or a bigot. Same as the whole trans thing: you criticise someone who is bioligically male for wanting to use a female toilet and you're branded a bigot. A lot of the people who go on about how diverse and inclusive they are tend to want to shut down any opinion they dislike.
Obviously 50,000 people want to ptotest in London peacefully about things that concern them that's fine, it's their choice. However, people who are worried about an asylum hotel next to them have an equal right to protest.

Well said. I wonder whether any of the posters on here who are so dismissive actually live near an asylum hotel?

There does need to be a meaningful debate about immigration. We do need a certain level of immigration as the NHS wouldn't function and many immigrants contribute well to this country. Also someone wanting to set up a business, bring in a spouse from overseas, or people like the Ukrainians from 4 years ago, should be allowed into the country. However, we can't keep allowing 700,000 a year into the country, BUT this has been reduced significantly in the last 2 years.
A sensible debate that avoids the right wing racist/middle class woke language that is bandied about is what is needed. No one would seriously want to deport people just because they don't like their skin colour, or think open borders are the best way to combat racism. There needs to be something in between these extremes.

I agree, Cumbrianmale, and have posted on here more than once about the disconnect between those with bad experiences of multiculturalism and those for whom it is a theory.

But where on Gransnet is the middle class/woke language you are talking about? And who on here 'automatically' labels anyone concerned about immigration as Far Right or a bigot?

I am not saying those things don't happen, but I think it is much more prevalent for people who are not fans of Farage et al to be sneered at and called 'woke', and I really don't think I've seen accusations of bigotry or Far Rightness on here. I don't read every thread so I know I may have missed something, but if you could point to at least a couple of examples that would be great, please.

Meandrogrog

sixandahalf

Meandrogrog

Cumbrianmale56

The problem is anyone who is concerned about immigration is automatically labelled as far Right or a bigot. Same as the whole trans thing: you criticise someone who is bioligically male for wanting to use a female toilet and you're branded a bigot. A lot of the people who go on about how diverse and inclusive they are tend to want to shut down any opinion they dislike.
Obviously 50,000 people want to ptotest in London peacefully about things that concern them that's fine, it's their choice. However, people who are worried about an asylum hotel next to them have an equal right to protest.

Well said. I wonder whether any of the posters on here who are so dismissive actually live near an asylum hotel?

I live very close indeed to a former Hotel which has now been repurposed to house people seeking asylum, if that is of any help to you.

What have your experiences been?

I did have to take one little girl back there as she had wandered off. Safeguarding wasn't great.There is a huge risk attached to some of these places for the people who live there.

Flags - I live in one of three non deprived, comfortable villages three miles from our deprived and desperate town centre. Empty spaces where once successful shops and businesses stood. Beggars everywhere.

Union flags fly in several outlying areas where it’s majority white with our post offices, corner shops run by Muslim /hindu families of Pakistani or Indian heritage. The head of our best high school is British born Pakistani heritage, our local dentists, doctors, nurses the same. Yet, the union flags fly flies and intimidates some.

I’m not against flag flying. In many countries, their flag flies without the dissent ours does. It is associated with empire ….

If some white British people feel threatened by our flag, I wonder why they seem unable to see flying Iranian or Palestinian flags could be seen as intimidating

sixandahalf

Meandrogrog

Cumbrianmale56

The problem is anyone who is concerned about immigration is automatically labelled as far Right or a bigot. Same as the whole trans thing: you criticise someone who is bioligically male for wanting to use a female toilet and you're branded a bigot. A lot of the people who go on about how diverse and inclusive they are tend to want to shut down any opinion they dislike.
Obviously 50,000 people want to ptotest in London peacefully about things that concern them that's fine, it's their choice. However, people who are worried about an asylum hotel next to them have an equal right to protest.

Well said. I wonder whether any of the posters on here who are so dismissive actually live near an asylum hotel?

I live very close indeed to a former Hotel which has now been repurposed to house people seeking asylum, if that is of any help to you.

What have your experiences been?

GrannyGravy13

Doodledog you are preaching to the converted on here.

Unfortunately those who wish harm on Westerners and carry out acts of terrorism are not interested in live and let live …

I know. There are always going to be people in all societies who won't live and let live. I don't live in an actual bubble .

But we were talking about flags and what they represent, and I would prefer (however unlikely it is to happen) to have flags that showed what people thought and how they felt, rather than where they were born. Then if people want to march in support of, or to protest against something it is clear why they are there, and what they hope to achieve.

As we can see on this thread alone, not everyone who has the Union Flag as their symbol feels the same, and that will be true of people who are represented by flags of any and all nations. I love the UK, but would not want to be in any way allied to the likes of Yaxley Lennon or Farage, so for as long as the England and/or Union flags have been co-opted by them, I am not keen to see them as part of who I am. That's what I meant.

Spot on!

Tolerance, empathy, understanding, compassion, respect, love.

It’s really not that hard to understand thanks
No, thank you. I'm pleased someone understood.

Cumbrianmale Thank you for a very balanced post, one which I think you’ll find is echoed by the majority of folk, on and off social media.

Not even once, despite being called woke lefties, have I ever seen anyone on Gransnet advocating mass uncontrolled immigration nor have I ever seen anyone stating that anyone coming across here in a small boat should automatically be granted asylum nor have I seen any support whatsoever for those very few who arrive here and commit crimes.

It’s simply a narrative spread by some people and it’s without any substance.

middle class woke nonsense that is banded about

I’m afraid you lost me there cumbrianmale. I’m keen on ‘a sensible debate’ about immigration but that feels impossible when one debater sets the angry, dismissive tone as a starting point

MaizieD

DaisyAnneReturns

Replying to Allira Sun 29-Mar-26 15:30:42

It’s interesting that “confusion” is being blamed on reporting, rather than on assumptions about what the march was meant to be. From what I’ve seen, the coverage was fairly specific; it just didn’t support a single, neat narrative.

Linking it to US “No Kings” protests feels more like speculation than something based on what organisers or participants actually said.

Not speculation, it was actually timed to link to the 'No Kings' marches, as were others across Europe.

But as we do have a King (who isn't desperate to enforce fascism and world domination) it would hardly have been polite to badge it as such.

Of course!!
Especially as he is Head of the Armed Forces.

I did think if that, it seems a rather unfortunate title to choose although other countries with monarch as Head of State joined the protests.

Meandrogrog

Cumbrianmale56

The problem is anyone who is concerned about immigration is automatically labelled as far Right or a bigot. Same as the whole trans thing: you criticise someone who is bioligically male for wanting to use a female toilet and you're branded a bigot. A lot of the people who go on about how diverse and inclusive they are tend to want to shut down any opinion they dislike.
Obviously 50,000 people want to ptotest in London peacefully about things that concern them that's fine, it's their choice. However, people who are worried about an asylum hotel next to them have an equal right to protest.

Well said. I wonder whether any of the posters on here who are so dismissive actually live near an asylum hotel?

There does need to be a meaningful debate about immigration. We do need a certain level of immigration as the NHS wouldn't function and many immigrants contribute well to this country. Also someone wanting to set up a business, bring in a spouse from overseas, or people like the Ukrainians from 4 years ago, should be allowed into the country. However, we can't keep allowing 700,000 a year into the country, BUT this has been reduced significantly in the last 2 years.
A sensible debate that avoids the right wing racist/middle class woke language that is bandied about is what is needed. No one would seriously want to deport people just because they don't like their skin colour, or think open borders are the best way to combat racism. There needs to be something in between these extremes.

Meandrogrog

Cumbrianmale56

The problem is anyone who is concerned about immigration is automatically labelled as far Right or a bigot. Same as the whole trans thing: you criticise someone who is bioligically male for wanting to use a female toilet and you're branded a bigot. A lot of the people who go on about how diverse and inclusive they are tend to want to shut down any opinion they dislike.
Obviously 50,000 people want to ptotest in London peacefully about things that concern them that's fine, it's their choice. However, people who are worried about an asylum hotel next to them have an equal right to protest.

Well said. I wonder whether any of the posters on here who are so dismissive actually live near an asylum hotel?

I live very close indeed to a former Hotel which has now been repurposed to house people seeking asylum, if that is of any help to you.

Maremia

So many 'invisible ' posts. I can't find the one that claims that terrorists have empathy.

👍👍

sixandahalf

*They could be dangerous*

Could be? I think Yaxley was dangerous when he kicked a man at an airport. I think suggesting people burn families in hotel rooms is dangerous.

👍👏👏

Cumbrianmale56

The problem is anyone who is concerned about immigration is automatically labelled as far Right or a bigot. Same as the whole trans thing: you criticise someone who is bioligically male for wanting to use a female toilet and you're branded a bigot. A lot of the people who go on about how diverse and inclusive they are tend to want to shut down any opinion they dislike.
Obviously 50,000 people want to ptotest in London peacefully about things that concern them that's fine, it's their choice. However, people who are worried about an asylum hotel next to them have an equal right to protest.

You have a valid point, however, marching in a group such as the one recently is a little different to physically gathering right outside a migrant hotel, looking and sounding aggressive.

Surely a better way of “protesting” about living next to a hotel housing migrants is to lobby the council or government?

If you had an issue with your neighbour would you get yourself and your mates to march up to his home with a big banner outlining your grievances?

No, people’s concerns around migrants are not automatically labelled as racism, our entire immigration system needs an overhaul, however an awful lot of misinformation about refugees is spread and that’s what can lead to discrimination.

Cumbrianmale56

The problem is anyone who is concerned about immigration is automatically labelled as far Right or a bigot. Same as the whole trans thing: you criticise someone who is bioligically male for wanting to use a female toilet and you're branded a bigot. A lot of the people who go on about how diverse and inclusive they are tend to want to shut down any opinion they dislike.
Obviously 50,000 people want to ptotest in London peacefully about things that concern them that's fine, it's their choice. However, people who are worried about an asylum hotel next to them have an equal right to protest.

Well said. I wonder whether any of the posters on here who are so dismissive actually live near an asylum hotel?

They could be dangerous

Could be? I think Yaxley was dangerous when he kicked a man at an airport. I think suggesting people burn families in hotel rooms is dangerous.

*Oreo

Cossy
Oreo I wouldn’t describe Farage, Yaxley etc as terrorists, yet in their own way they are just as dangerous and yet they have no indoctrinated ideology, just a desire to be divisive and power hungry and full of bitterness and hatred.

They need to take some time by out and take one of my magic pills 🤣🤣🤣 🧙
What are you on?😂
They could be dangerous but haven’t seen evidence of it so far thankfully, and I haven’t seen that they’ve blown anything up, attacked anyone just going about their own business and so on*

Very happily living in my own little world Oreo, or perhaps finally lost the last of my marbles

The problem is anyone who is concerned about immigration is automatically labelled as far Right or a bigot. Same as the whole trans thing: you criticise someone who is bioligically male for wanting to use a female toilet and you're branded a bigot. A lot of the people who go on about how diverse and inclusive they are tend to want to shut down any opinion they dislike.
Obviously 50,000 people want to ptotest in London peacefully about things that concern them that's fine, it's their choice. However, people who are worried about an asylum hotel next to them have an equal right to protest.

So many 'invisible ' posts. I can't find the one that claims that terrorists have empathy.

twaddle

Allira

Oreo

Or is it ok for everyone else but not the UK?

I don't understand why some don't understand.

Shame?
Being ashamed of one's national flag?

🤬 Robinson. Tell him it doesn't belong to him.

I'm not ashamed of the Union Jack. I just don't understand the need to wave it and I don't understand why people don't understand that. Can't they just accept that many are happy to be British - even proud if the country does something well - but don't feel the need to fly a piece of cloth to remind people where they are.

I agree with you, twaddle. Indeed, I'm rather sick of being told that as a not rightwing person, that I'm 'ashamed of the UJ'.

I have absolutely no objection to it at the right time and in the right place.

And the right place certainly isn't hanging in tatters from random lampposts as the people who made such a hoo ha about putting them up really don't care how awful they look.

I also don't feel I have to 'reclaim' something that I've never lost...

twaddle

Meandrogrog

sixandahalf

Oreo

Cossy

Doodledog

Spot on!

Tolerance, empathy, understanding, compassion, respect, love.

It’s really not that hard to understand

It is by terrorists.

Ah, what a day. You just will not let go will you?

Sad really.

Why should Oreo ‘let go’ when she is simply pointing out truths?

She's not pointing out truths. She's expressing opinions (which you evidently share).

So you think that terrorists show the above quoted qualities of empathy, compassion etc? That is laughable 😂😂😂😂😂

DaisyAnneReturns

Replying to Allira Sun 29-Mar-26 15:30:42

It’s interesting that “confusion” is being blamed on reporting, rather than on assumptions about what the march was meant to be. From what I’ve seen, the coverage was fairly specific; it just didn’t support a single, neat narrative.

Linking it to US “No Kings” protests feels more like speculation than something based on what organisers or participants actually said.

Not speculation, it was actually timed to link to the 'No Kings' marches, as were others across Europe.

But as we do have a King (who isn't desperate to enforce fascism and world domination) it would hardly have been polite to badge it as such.

Cossy

Oreo I wouldn’t describe Farage, Yaxley etc as terrorists, yet in their own way they are just as dangerous and yet they have no indoctrinated ideology, just a desire to be divisive and power hungry and full of bitterness and hatred.

They need to take some time by out and take one of my magic pills 🤣🤣🤣 🧙

What are you on?😂
They could be dangerous but haven’t seen evidence of it so far thankfully, and I haven’t seen that they’ve blown anything up, attacked anyone just going about their own business and so on.

Meandrogrog

sixandahalf

Oreo

Cossy

Doodledog

Spot on!

Tolerance, empathy, understanding, compassion, respect, love.

It’s really not that hard to understand

It is by terrorists.

Ah, what a day. You just will not let go will you?

Sad really.

Why should Oreo ‘let go’ when she is simply pointing out truths?

She's not pointing out truths. She's expressing opinions (which you evidently share).

sixandahalf

Oreo

Cossy

Doodledog

Spot on!

Tolerance, empathy, understanding, compassion, respect, love.

It’s really not that hard to understand

It is by terrorists.

Ah, what a day. You just will not let go will you?

Sad really.

IMO it's beyond sadness. Unfortunately, people with negative views are gaining traction. I spent my whole life trying to be tolerant of people with different views, but I've now come to the conclusion that there are circumstances when it's not right to be tolerant of intolerance.