Nigel Farage - do you agree with him?

Oh dear. I find the rise of the far right, not just in England, but across Europe, very worrying. This is always the case following a recession (think 1930s) when some people are convinced by the rhetoric of dubious politicians who curry favour by putting the blame for failed policies on minority groups such as immigrants, or those of different faiths.

Trouble is they are cunning and latch on to people's prejudices and fears by including a small element of truth. I always pass their policies through a bullshit reality filter, but sadly most people don't see these people for what they really are. Or if they do, then that is perhaps even sadder.

Good post Aka and PapaOscar. Scapegoating is always with us but at times of economic hardship it's tragic to see so many groups - mainly the poor and disadvantaged, being blamed for any and everything wrong with the country.

As for Farage, the man is risible, but what is worrying is that many of those who go into politics come from the very similar backgrounds. A degree from a Russell Group in PPE, followed by a stint as parliamentary researcher or consultant or a few years at the bar. Then a perhaps a local Councillor in a safe ward swiftly followed by becoming PPC.

There are precious few MPs with a background in ordinary occupations such as perhaps nursing, secretarial work, retail, social work, bus driving and so on.

The political classes are far removed from the everyday experience of the population and they have become so remote that a weary disillusionment is everywhere.

If I had my way I would organise our representation so that it is representative. 50% women, 50% men. No one allowed to be an MP until they have worked at a normal job for ten years, lawyers only allowed a percentage of their numbers in the general population and so on.

Then the rough populism of Farage would not seem quite as attractive to those who feel disenfranchised or disillusioned.

I thought Farage was a monster raving loonie, Ariadne. Unfortunately someone else had nicked his preferred party name.
I would like someone from the National Health Action Party to stand in my area.
Ninny, why does that not surprise me?

MiceElf, Alan Johnson worked at Tescos as a shelf stacker, then became a postman. Dennis Skinner worked down the pits.
Apparently Osborne worked for his dad, but I do not count that as an ordinary job.
Any more examples?

True, Jen, but they're a dying breed. Our new PPC was a public policy consultant. Whatever that means. Tipped for the top. Certain to be elected.

How was he selected? Well, 80% of the Labour Party membership in this constituency has gone since 1997. Including me. I departed after Iraq. Those who remain, or who have since joined are are the wealthy middle class and local council employees in whose interest it is to remain. And they got the man they wanted, a man in their own image and likeness. I think this is not untypical of the situation in the rest of the country.

I'm looking forward to you expanding on your reasons ninny because most of us don't understand the advantages that would result from leaving the EU, which is at the core of UKIP policy.

Yes, John Major was the only British Prime Minister to earn his pocket money by being a bookies runner under the arches at Brixham, name of the bookie was Alf? a dubious and shady character. J.M. helped for a while in his elderly father's gnome business until this business went into liquidation, necessitating the family to sell up their home to pay debts and make the move to a modest flat in Brixham. After school, primary and grammar, J.M worked for an insurance Co while studying at night school for further O'levels , having left school with only three, History, Eng Lit and Language,. He apparently heard Harold Macmillan speak, also Clem Atleee, both of whom inspired him into politics - again the hard way, no money, no influence except what and who he met on the way.
When asked by a smart a### reporter if, as a child of elderly parents with a much older brother and sister, he was an 'after thought', he replied that he didn't know about 'thought' but imagined that he must have been 'an after shock'!! reporter I think looked a bit shame faced!

Jess whilst I may think ninny to be misguided I wouldn't advise her to post her reasons for her choice out on this thread. In doing so she would only lay herself open to the sort of remarks that have led to so much unpleasantness just recently. Sadly.

Unless of course the debate could be carried out in a civilised manner.

Aka, if Ninny wanted privacy she need not have said she was going to vote for Farage. She has opened the questioning up herself.

It's up to ninny of course, but in the interest of fair play she ought to be warned if she is about to step into the arena!!

I don't think it's ninny's PRIVACY I was worried about anyway Jen

Well said, Aka and others. At least these discussions are dealing with some of our fundamental political problems and highlighting the weakness of adopting simplistic Farage-like attitudes to their solution. I suppose another achievement is that many people have seen through the smoke and mirrors of modern politics and are indeed asking searching questions.

Where we go from here, I'm not sure except that history confirms that it is never good to throw the baby out with the bathwater. There are many, many, good aspects of our own and wider European society, and most of these have only been learnt following the sadnesses and suffering of war and other struggles. For the sake of my family and the wider world I really do not want to see all that repeated, and in that respect the recent scenes from Ukraine are very disturbing.

I used to think that the mixed economy which applied in the UK was best for all, but that has now mostly been dismantled and replaced by a grab-it-all society where winning is the only objective. I really cannot justify the obscene salaries, bonuses and dollops of cash now being paid to some media people, sports personalities, politicians, bankers and others for example, or the disgusting and profligate lifestyles exhibited by some them.

Time to get off my soap box, I think, before I fall off it. Ah, good, the rugby is on again. Now there's a kind, generous and fair sport...

Ninny started the thread about diverting foreign aid. I think she knows what to expect, Aka.

Well it would be a very boring GN if everyone was too timorous to enter into debate aka - or are you suggesting that some people are more fragile than others?

On the contrary Jess merely suggesting she gets all her ducks in a line first!

You will very rarely see me debate politics, but, on this occasion I will.
NF is IMO a nasty, dangerous man. He seems to be fostering racial intolerance.

My (usually sensible ) lady next door, sings his praises because of his racial goals.

I think you mean Brixton niggly.

Surely the whole meaning of democracy is that we can vote for whom we please, and debate what we believe in an atmosphere of intellect. Informed debate and curiosity as to why people feel the way they do is absolutely fine, but making people feel that unless they go with crowd, they are to be shouted down and made to feel that their opinions are somehow outrageous and not worth consideration is ridiculous. Everyone is entitled to voice their opinion whether it be a right wing one or left. I for one wouldn't dream of joining in any controversial conversation as I've no desire to put myself in the firing line!

One of the great things about out political system is, or was, the heckler at a public meeting. I remember, a long time ago, being at a public meeting addressed by Sir Anthony Hurd, MP, a senior Tory worthy who was droning on when a very loud agricultural voice cut through from the back of he hall and shouted "Hurd, they should have named you never Hurd, 'cos the last time you spoke in Parliament was two years ago!" Uproar followed and a political ballon was well and truly pricked. Magic moment!

Of course we can vote for whom we please, just as we can debate or not as we please, but true democracy is based on the idea that we can discuss and compare our views with those of others, so that we can be sure that that to which we adhere is satisfactorily sound for us.

If we don't do this, we are stuck with our own pet views and particular prejudices without having given ourselves the option to change. But of course all this is challenging, and there are no rules or laws which say you have to join in any discussion.

Of course not, but when there are so many stridently left-wing views expressed on any vaguely political thread (probably because of the large number of former or current public sector workers on here), those of a more moderate persuasion must feel reluctant to post.

There used to be a joke going around that the population of Australia was 38 million - 19 million Australians and 19 million backpackers. DD1 employs backpackers and locals in Australia and says that the British are hard workers; she tends to only have problems with young local Australians. So perhaps the reason for our hardworking immigrants is that it is mostly those with the get up and go to travel who are the hardest working? I don't know.

I am sure that what the Syrian refugees want is their country back, but in the meantime we have to do what we can for them, whether they would want to come here or stay nearer Syria. I know countries such as Turkey are struggling with the vast numbers who need help.

Why does the adjective 'strident' almost always accompany 'left-wing views'? I have left-of-centre views but I'd prefer to call the forthright.

OK then, 'forthright'. The same could be said for right-wing views, but those are usually referred to as 'rabid'! You can't win.