The Politics of Migration and the Rise of Farage: A Reflection on Trust and Deceit

[Social Media]

 

Nigel Farage, often a polarizing figure in British politics, is sometimes likened to a vaudevillian act, complete with his theatrical grins and pantomime gestures. Recently, he announced his intention to run for parliament again, a move met with enthusiasm from his supporters and curiosity from the media. This event in Clacton, a seaside town with a history of theatrical performances, highlighted Farage’s unique ability to draw attention and stir emotions.

 

Journalists, camera crews, and podcasters, including well-known figures like Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel, gathered to witness and dissect Farage's appeal. For many centrists, the explanation for his success is straightforward: he taps into the bigotry, racism, and gullibility of certain segments of society. Alastair Campbell has labeled him a “dangerous demagogue,” and a former adviser to David Cameron criticized Farage’s superficiality in contrast to his former boss’s statesmanship. The Times’ Daniel Finkelstein noted that Farage promises chaos, unlike the pragmatic Sunak.

 

However, this analysis might be overly simplistic. Farage’s influence, despite never winning a seat, is undeniable. He has been a key figure in British politics for two decades and is poised to play a significant role in the future of the Tory party. His power stems not primarily from racism or gullibility, but from deceit—the deceit of those who have held power and now denounce him. This deceit is evident in the promises made about immigration by successive governments, from Tony Blair to David Cameron.

 

Blair, for instance, pledged in 1997 to ensure “firm control” over immigration, yet presided over a significant increase in immigrant numbers. He later promised to restrict long-term settlement to skilled workers and end chain migration, but net migration continued to rise, partly due to movement from new EU member states. The government’s projection of 13,000 new migrants annually was exceeded by 1,500 percent.

 

The deceit did not stop with Blair. The Conservative Party, in its 2010, 2015, and 2017 manifestos, promised to reduce immigration to the tens of thousands. Instead, immigration rose to an average of 300,000 a year, totaling over 1.4 million for 2022-23. This period included the end of free movement, yet saw high numbers of low-wage workers from non-European nations.

 

This discrepancy between promises and reality has significantly eroded public trust. Trust, a cornerstone of a healthy and prosperous society, has plummeted to unprecedented lows. This decline in trust is not a minor issue; it is crucial to the functioning of democracy and the health of society. Social scientists argue that trust was a key factor in the rise of the West, and its erosion poses a serious threat.

 

Farage’s rise is a symptom of this erosion of trust. Like populists before him, he draws power from the failures of the political establishment. The duplicity surrounding immigration policy has debased the political discourse, creating a fertile ground for figures like Farage and Donald Trump. These leaders thrive on the distrust created by broken promises and political deceit.

 

Critics of Farage, such as Campbell and former Tory advisers, often fail to acknowledge their role in creating the conditions for his rise. The lies about immigration were not minor political evasions but premeditated falsehoods about a central issue of our time. This lack of self-awareness among the political elite is a profound dereliction of responsibility.

 

The ongoing crisis of honesty in politics ensures that populist figures will continue to emerge. This dynamic pushes centre-right parties to the fringes and fuels polarization, which benefits authoritarian regimes like China’s. The failure to control borders is central to the appeal of populists across the Western world, from Marine Le Pen in France to Geert Wilders in the Netherlands and Trump in the United States. This issue will also challenge Keir Starmer if he comes to power.

 

A rational immigration policy, as suggested by Tory backbencher Neil O’Brien and left-leaning academic Michael Muthukrishna, would involve ending the reliance on low-wage labor. This strategy would entail short-term pain for long-term gain, focusing on high-skilled immigrants who integrate well and contribute significantly to the economy and society. Such a policy would not only boost GDP but also help restore trust in the political system.

 

As I left Clacton, the dominant thought was that Farage, while dangerous, is a product of the failures of the so-called “liberal” consensus. The greater menace lies with those who created the conditions for his rise and continue to lack self-awareness. Future historians may view them not as liberals but as arsonists who destroyed the trust essential for a functioning democracy and never acknowledged their role in the resulting chaos.

 

Sunday Times Opinion

 

Credit: The Times 2024-06-10

 

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[RuamRudy]

An interesting article in the byline times - Farage's former chief of staff and now advisor is a convicted fraudster with connections to the royal family.

 

Reform UK - a true party of the masses...

 

Who is ‘Posh George’? Meet the Aristocrat and Convicted Fraudster Close to Nigel Farage

Edited June 9 by RuamRudy

[newbee2022]

5 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Nigel Farage, often a polarizing figure in British politics, is sometimes likened to a vaudevillian act, complete with his theatrical grins and pantomime gestures. Recently, he announced his intention to run for parliament again, a move met with enthusiasm from his supporters and curiosity from the media. This event in Clacton, a seaside town with a history of theatrical performances, highlighted Farage’s unique ability to draw attention and stir emotions.

 

Journalists, camera crews, and podcasters, including well-known figures like Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel, gathered to witness and dissect Farage's appeal. For many centrists, the explanation for his success is straightforward: he taps into the bigotry, racism, and gullibility of certain segments of society. Alastair Campbell has labeled him a “dangerous demagogue,” and a former adviser to David Cameron criticized Farage’s superficiality in contrast to his former boss’s statesmanship. The Times’ Daniel Finkelstein noted that Farage promises chaos, unlike the pragmatic Sunak.

 

However, this analysis might be overly simplistic. Farage’s influence, despite never winning a seat, is undeniable. He has been a key figure in British politics for two decades and is poised to play a significant role in the future of the Tory party. His power stems not primarily from racism or gullibility, but from deceit—the deceit of those who have held power and now denounce him. This deceit is evident in the promises made about immigration by successive governments, from Tony Blair to David Cameron.

 

Blair, for instance, pledged in 1997 to ensure “firm control” over immigration, yet presided over a significant increase in immigrant numbers. He later promised to restrict long-term settlement to skilled workers and end chain migration, but net migration continued to rise, partly due to movement from new EU member states. The government’s projection of 13,000 new migrants annually was exceeded by 1,500 percent.

 

The deceit did not stop with Blair. The Conservative Party, in its 2010, 2015, and 2017 manifestos, promised to reduce immigration to the tens of thousands. Instead, immigration rose to an average of 300,000 a year, totaling over 1.4 million for 2022-23. This period included the end of free movement, yet saw high numbers of low-wage workers from non-European nations.

 

This discrepancy between promises and reality has significantly eroded public trust. Trust, a cornerstone of a healthy and prosperous society, has plummeted to unprecedented lows. This decline in trust is not a minor issue; it is crucial to the functioning of democracy and the health of society. Social scientists argue that trust was a key factor in the rise of the West, and its erosion poses a serious threat.

 

Farage’s rise is a symptom of this erosion of trust. Like populists before him, he draws power from the failures of the political establishment. The duplicity surrounding immigration policy has debased the political discourse, creating a fertile ground for figures like Farage and Donald Trump. These leaders thrive on the distrust created by broken promises and political deceit.

 

Critics of Farage, such as Campbell and former Tory advisers, often fail to acknowledge their role in creating the conditions for his rise. The lies about immigration were not minor political evasions but premeditated falsehoods about a central issue of our time. This lack of self-awareness among the political elite is a profound dereliction of responsibility.

 

The ongoing crisis of honesty in politics ensures that populist figures will continue to emerge. This dynamic pushes centre-right parties to the fringes and fuels polarization, which benefits authoritarian regimes like China’s. The failure to control borders is central to the appeal of populists across the Western world, from Marine Le Pen in France to Geert Wilders in the Netherlands and Trump in the United States. This issue will also challenge Keir Starmer if he comes to power.

 

A rational immigration policy, as suggested by Tory backbencher Neil O’Brien and left-leaning academic Michael Muthukrishna, would involve ending the reliance on low-wage labor. This strategy would entail short-term pain for long-term gain, focusing on high-skilled immigrants who integrate well and contribute significantly to the economy and society. Such a policy would not only boost GDP but also help restore trust in the political system.

 

As I left Clacton, the dominant thought was that Farage, while dangerous, is a product of the failures of the so-called “liberal” consensus. The greater menace lies with those who created the conditions for his rise and continue to lack self-awareness. Future historians may view them not as liberals but as arsonists who destroyed the trust essential for a functioning democracy and never acknowledged their role in the resulting chaos.

 

Sunday Times Opinion

 

Credit: The Times 2024-06-10

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Boris and Nigel....the outstanding liars of this century. 

Not worth to mention, not worth to pay any attention to.🙏

[riclag]

Viva Monsieur Nigel!

Globalist beware, a world wind of nationalism ,is coming!

Love those populist.

Edited June 10 by riclag

[Peterphuket]

2 hours ago, RuamRudy said:

An interesting article in the byline times - Farage's former chief of staff and now advisor is a convicted fraudster with connections to the royal family.

 

Reform UK - a true party of the masses...

 

Who is ‘Posh George’? Meet the Aristocrat and Convicted Fraudster Close to Nigel Farage

Oh, I see well here we also have trolls to discredit someone.
Well done, keep up the good work.

 

[rocketboy2]

Come on Mr. Farage. we like you.

Not the spineless, weak snowflake cowards, that have run the uk for so long on both sides.

 

 

[roquefort]

19 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Boris and Nigel....the outstanding liars of this century. 

Not worth to mention, not worth to pay any attention to.🙏

Neither of them compare to Bliar. In a class of his own. Did you read the article?

[rocketboy2]

1 minute ago, roquefort said:

Neither of them compare to Bliar. In a class of his own. Did you read the article?

 

Many have forgot Blair and Bush with the WMD. 

The guy should be in jail for that.

 

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

7 hours ago, Social Media said:

a former adviser to David Cameron criticized Farage’s superficiality in contrast to his former boss’s statesmanship.

If Cameron is a statesman I'm a billionaire.

[thaibeachlovers]

7 hours ago, Social Media said:

As I left Clacton, the dominant thought was that Farage, while dangerous, is a product of the failures of the so-called “liberal” consensus. The greater menace lies with those who created the conditions for his rise and continue to lack self-awareness. Future historians may view them not as liberals but as arsonists who destroyed the trust essential for a functioning democracy and never acknowledged their role in the resulting chaos.

I can agree with that. IMO a bunch of charlatans that put their political survival above the interests of their country's citizens.

[ujayujay]

Nigel the Clown🤡

[RuamRudy]

3 hours ago, Peterphuket said:

Oh, I see well here we also have trolls to discredit someone.
Well done, keep up the good work.

 

 

Troll? Maybe you need to educate yourself on what a troll is.

Someone (i.e. me) pointing out that Farage is relying heavily upon a man who recently served time for drug money laundering is not trolling. 

Someone (i.e. you) suggesting I am a troll for doing so shows how fragile his campaign is, and how his snowflake supporters don't like fact.

[transam]

3 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Boris and Nigel....the outstanding liars of this century. 

Not worth to mention, not worth to pay any attention to.🙏

You could make up a threesome......

[RuamRudy]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

If Cameron is a statesman I'm a billionaire.

 

As Barack Obama said of him, he had "the easy confidence of someone who’d never been pressed too hard by life."

 

And that is one of the fundamental problems in the UK that has dogged us for, well, ever - it is mostly led by a succession of mediocre, moneyed individuals who are bred to believe that they are capable of, in fact destined for leadership, when they clearly are not fit for the task. But it is not all their fault, we proles still vote for them. 

[transam]

5 hours ago, RuamRudy said:

An interesting article in the byline times - Farage's former chief of staff and now advisor is a convicted fraudster with connections to the royal family.

 

Reform UK - a true party of the masses...

 

Who is ‘Posh George’? Meet the Aristocrat and Convicted Fraudster Close to Nigel Farage

Your SNP were similar.........🤭

[RuamRudy]

1 minute ago, transam said:

Your SNP were similar.........🤭

 

But (again...) this thread is not about me or the SNP. Please read the OP if you are confused.

[transam]

I think Farage is a wide boy, gift of the gab "car" salesman, same as Trump, NOT to be trusted.........

Makes his money by spouting stuff folk want to hear, but in any direction....🥴

[transam]

1 minute ago, RuamRudy said:

 

But (again...) this thread is not about me or the SNP. Please read the OP if you are confused.

The SNP were/are similar.......🤔

[James105]

16 minutes ago, transam said:

I think Farage is a wide boy, gift of the gab "car" salesman, same as Trump, NOT to be trusted.........

Makes his money by spouting stuff folk want to hear, but in any direction....🥴

 

Both Labour and the Tories have proven they cannot be trusted and are self serving globalist elitists who care not a jot for the people they pretend to represent.   The Tories in particular have promised to reduce immigration in every single manifesto and was (in part) the reason they were elected 3 times on the trot only to then preside over the largest mass importation of cheap labour and illegal immigration in history.  History suggests had Labour been in power it would have been the same or worse, with Blair straight up lying about the expected impact of the accession states in the EU being granted freedom of movement to the UK.

 

Out of curiosity on immigration for example, who would you trust more to deliver on their promises when given a choice of Sunak, Starmer or Farage if given a majority government based on what we know from recent history?  

[RayC]

An interesting, well written piece. I don't share many of Farage's views, but it would be churlish not to acknowledge that he had been a very important and successful voice on the right for 20 years.

 

However, he does have one major advantage compared to the likes of Starmer and Sunak: It is extremely unlikely that he will be held accountable for his words and actions, as he will probably never be in government.

[blazes]

15 hours ago, RuamRudy said:

 

As Barack Obama said of him, he had "the easy confidence of someone who’d never been pressed too hard by life."

 

And that is one of the fundamental problems in the UK that has dogged us for, well, ever - it is mostly led by a succession of mediocre, moneyed individuals who are bred to believe that they are capable of, in fact destined for leadership, when they clearly are not fit for the task. But it is not all their fault, we proles still vote for them. 

 

Come to think of it, Obama did not exactly emerge from a deprived background. 

[Danderman123]

Farage is very well spoken on TV.

 

But his stock in trade is to use anecdotes to convince low information voters that reality isn't real. It's a common tactic of demagogues.