Author | Lightnews

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 6h

The self-styled, so-called patriots use support for veterans as their rallying cry, so perhaps the way to turn Faragists is continued reminders about Churchill, and the Allies united against Facism. Churchill's vision was, after all, for a charter and court to oppose and prevent totalitarianism.

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 15h

More like 'party before, well anything else, really'

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 17h

Completely understand the situation. EHCP funding never covers the cost of employing another TA and the more high-need EHCPs the more TAs needed and ever more taken from the school's budget.

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 17h

I think there's a future PhD for psychology / economics / politics graduates around how Farage can criticise and run down the UK whilst maintaining unfettered and staunch support from particular demographics.

1 1

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 17h

I think your last sentence is the point, or at last, it doesn't have to have any real economic plausibility: it simply needs vague references to tax cuts / pseudo-doge-type unrealistic savings / what the last Government/s have done wrong and disingenuous references to 'working / ordinary' people.

1 1

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 17h

"reptile" 🤣 so apt👏

1

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 17h

I don't think any of his speeches are intended to have real substance (and we know they don't, of course) and are simply a method of maintaining a media presence, with perhaps a bit of a nod to his wealthy backers.

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 17h

Absolutely. Unfortunately, Farage has managed to reinforce so completely his supporters' confirmation bias: it's an old tactic, but the persistent repetition via all available channels has turned his lies and rhetoric into their "truth."

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 17h

I just saw those. I read them as irony in reference to Farage's house and the Reform football shirts. Could be wrong, though.

1

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 1d

It would be great to have one in each Reform Ltd constituency, local council and county council on the same day.

1 7

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 1d

I think a much tighter grip on MPs' use of social media and their language as well as more oversight and accountability is needed. At the moment, someone like Pochin makes the comments she did, apologises and that's it. But the impact continues to be felt, and exploited by those who agree with her.

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 2d

🤣 I was thinking of an alternative to a MAGA hat

1 1

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 2d

I firmly believe MPs should be disallowed from the use of Twitter as their official social-media platform. It can't be that difficult to find an alternative, even if it's a simple website.

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 2d

To be fair, he works very long hours and does his best to support local businesses. I mean, just look at the effort he puts in to champion the likes of Direct Bullion and Nomad Capital! Say what you like but you can't deny his commitment to free enterprise profitability and return.

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 2d

That would make a good slogan / sticker!

1 1

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 2d

Yep, he stokes their anxieties / emotions and targets their confirmation bias thus confirming their anxieties / emotions. It's an effective cycle.

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 2d

Exactly

7

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 2d

Doesn't mean it'll happen, though: Trump may *uncover* a *threat to national security* and invoke emergency measures and an executive order to spend it on a wellness programme for ICE officers feeling overwhelmed by their workload!

1

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 2d

👏👏👏😂

1

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 2d

Does he mean things like politicians taking bribes on behalf of Russia, and EU UK residents being investigated for fraud and "serious irregularities" in the spending of EU funds?

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 2d

Outrageous if true, but to clarify, being "on the left" doesn't mean being unpatriotic.

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 3d

I think you're right; confirmation-bias blindness.

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 3d

Absolutely, but I really don't think they see it. It seems those of us who think he should be held to account for poor attendance in the HoC are in a minority: not enough people care.

1 1

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 3d

Yep, exactly. And he puts earnings into a corporation so he pays 25% income tax and not 40%, works for Nomad Capital which advises clients on loopholes to avoid paying tax and he voted against the Employment Rights bill, yet his supporters still think he supports the working class!🤦‍♂️

3

nell21214.bsky.social @nell21214.bsky.social · 3d

Perhaps if he and others paid their actual income tax at 40% instead of diverting money into a corporation and paying 25% instead, it would improve life for residents in his constituency. Or, at the very least, actually represent his constituents' interests instead of Trump's.

24