What is it that attracts racists, Islamaphobes, homophobes and general bigots to Nigel Farage?

Oh i don’t mean you

Or

Some of my best friends are black

How many times have we heard it?

I agree it’s mainly about colour. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve challenged a bigot (not just someone who wants managed immigration) only to be told, like Greta that s/he doesn’t mean people like my husband. People even think it’s fine to rant about immigrants in front of him, and are taken aback when he points out that he is one, mumbling nonsense like ‘well, you’re not really…’

I would caveat that by saying I know a lot of Eastern Europeans are subject to strong anti-immigrant abuse and xenophobia.

Foxie48, I agree with you. In my experience it is about colour. As a Scandinavian I don't stand out and I've be been told on numerous occasions that "we don't mind people like you/you look like one of us".

I just wish everyone would challenge the opinion though and not the person posting

Agreed. I also prefer a new "opinion" based on an allegation to be backed by a source, within reason, it gives room for better discussion.

It's possible to be a really friendly decent person and still vote for Reform. It was UKIP at the time. I used to be friends with a retired GP who , when he saw an Asian woman walk past in her ethnic apparel would call me to the window to look at "the foreigner". This old man had all his wits about him but was bigoted in that particular way .

maddyone

^He’s entitled to his opinion ^

Quite right. Although you wouldn’t think everyone was entitled to their opinion sometimes when reading GN.

Yes, but some will present their opinion as facts when they are not and if you put an opinion on a forum, I think it's fair to expect it might be challenged. I just wish everyone would challenge the opinion though and not the person posting.

Freya5

Whitewavemark2

I’m unclear why British values in Reforms terms should include getting ride of human rights.

Seems a total contradiction in terms to me.

This is what they will get ride of

You do realise our human rights preceded Blair and his wife.

Sorry?

He’s entitled to his opinion

Quite right. Although you wouldn’t think everyone was entitled to their opinion sometimes when reading GN.

Primrose53 Zia Yusef is just one man. Surely the fact that he is very wealthy prevents him being subjected to the casual racism that many people of colour suffer. Your comment with regard to "wealthy Asians " tends to prove this. Not everyone has the ability to make lots of money. Zia's partial scholarship to Hampton School might have given him a "leg up" but he's clearly an extremely hard working and talented man. He's entitled to his opinion but his wealth does not confer him with anymore right to be considered British than the third generation man in Leeds. They are both British, both have the vote and can both have different or the same political views but I can't help thinking that someone who has been privately educated, worked at Goldman Sachs and is worth millions will have had a somewhat different life experience to the man in Leeds.

Agree, Foxie.

I follow the I player roll out election coverage everyday on and off on the BBC and it does indeed question all political POV, and I like it because it verifies claims by politicians on stats and sources.

I think there are many who assume "immigrant" in terms of colour of skin or faith despite being 3rd generation. If you are famous then your background is known as you say Primrose and therefore less likely to have the label attached.

zakouma66

*As usual he is playing the race card too*

What does that mean please?

You know full well what it means.

foxie48

I think the idea of "British values" is a complete myth, if you asked a 100 people to write down a list I think you'd find a lot of difference and if you asked the same of a group of people from different countries you'd probably get the same level of agreement/disagreement. The only time I see our British values being discussed is in relation to immigration. It's just another way of "othering" people ie they don't share our values, they're not like us, they don't integrate into our society, etc etc. What we should be recognising is that these are humans like us with the same needs for shelter, food and safety, that they want the same for their children ie a future and they are doing what man has done for the whole of our existence, ie migrating to have a better future. That said, of course we should have sensible immigration laws with some control but we don't need to de-humanise people as part of that process. We should also stop pretending that they are changing our society in a negative way, they enrich our society both culturally and economically if they are given a chance. I heard a third generation Pakistani man being interviewed in Leeds, he's never been to Pakistan, he doesn't speak Urdu fluently, he had a broad Leeds accent and despite that he says he's still seen as as an immigrant. He's a British citizen, paying his taxes, however, if he were white and his grandparents had come from Ireland he'd be seen as British. It is all about colour.

That’s a very considered post Foxie48 however you are recounting the opinion of just one man eho says he is still seen as an immigrant.

If you are ever in the Leicester area take a drive around the Stoneygate, Evington, Uppingham Road area. You will see huge houses with electric gates, several top of the range vehicles in the drive etc. They are now mainly occupied by very wealthy Asians whose parents came here with nothing from Uganda and have, through sheer hard work, made their millions. They are not seen as immigrants and are very well respected.

Also the Muslim man who spoke from the heart at the Reform rally yesterday is someone who has been born here and made millions or even billions and I don’t think anyone would dare to address him as an immigrant.

Whitewavemark2

I’m unclear why British values in Reforms terms should include getting ride of human rights.

Seems a total contradiction in terms to me.

This is what they will get ride of

You do realise our human rights preceded Blair and his wife.

MaizieD

^I’ve just seen that that black journalist Femi Oluwole who had a ticket and press pass was barred from entering (and therefore reporting) on the Reform rally in Birmingham. No reason given. Heavies just escorted him from the building.^

Femi will be very well known to Reform leaders. I don't think they like his values...

He's a horrible divisive person. His job is hard Left wing Agitation. He doesn't go to listen he goes to deliberately cause trouble. Doesn't talk He shouts. Im so surprised anyone brothers with him. You should listen to him sometimes, I have, much to my detriment, of course he's making it all about him. He seems not to agree with any Government,

As usual he is playing the race card too

What does that mean please?

I think the idea of "British values" is a complete myth, if you asked a 100 people to write down a list I think you'd find a lot of difference and if you asked the same of a group of people from different countries you'd probably get the same level of agreement/disagreement. The only time I see our British values being discussed is in relation to immigration. It's just another way of "othering" people ie they don't share our values, they're not like us, they don't integrate into our society, etc etc. What we should be recognising is that these are humans like us with the same needs for shelter, food and safety, that they want the same for their children ie a future and they are doing what man has done for the whole of our existence, ie migrating to have a better future. That said, of course we should have sensible immigration laws with some control but we don't need to de-humanise people as part of that process. We should also stop pretending that they are changing our society in a negative way, they enrich our society both culturally and economically if they are given a chance. I heard a third generation Pakistani man being interviewed in Leeds, he's never been to Pakistan, he doesn't speak Urdu fluently, he had a broad Leeds accent and despite that he says he's still seen as as an immigrant. He's a British citizen, paying his taxes, however, if he were white and his grandparents had come from Ireland he'd be seen as British. It is all about colour.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

It's interesting that Farage will only engage with media that don't challenge him and he stops people who might not report favourably on attending his rallies. This is typical of authoritarian leaders and we see it happening in so many countries. I've heard the BBC challenge the manifestos of every party but it's only Reform that's saying it's biased.

I assume that people understand that HR are for everyone not just asylum seekers?

I’m unclear why British values in Reforms terms should include getting ride of human rights.

Seems a total contradiction in terms to me.

This is what they will get ride of

Oreo

Dickens
I think that Urmstongran has left the forum for a while.

Thanks Oreo.

MaizieD

^I’ve just seen that that black journalist Femi Oluwole who had a ticket and press pass was barred from entering (and therefore reporting) on the Reform rally in Birmingham. No reason given. Heavies just escorted him from the building.^

Femi will be very well known to Reform leaders. I don't think they like his values...

So much for three of the British values: Democracy, Mutual Respect & Tolerance and Individual Liberty.

Free speech but only if you agree with Farage. And so it begins. Zia Yusuf should be ashamed.

Oops, my post at 22.07 has landed on the wrong thread

Please ignore.

The issue of record numbers not working is not one to be ignored, it's an issue that needs to be looked into as those peoples lives will be ruined. The over 50's were the first to fall into this category following covid but it is now other age groups as well. It is a terrible idea to write people off in that way.

I’ve just seen that that black journalist Femi Oluwole who had a ticket and press pass was barred from entering (and therefore reporting) on the Reform rally in Birmingham. No reason given. Heavies just escorted him from the building.

Femi will be very well known to Reform leaders. I don't think they like his values...