Just a reminder that this wasn’t a dark web operation: when it was launched it was framed as just another “free speech” conservative platform like Quillette or Unherd or The Spectator : Twitter for c****, basically. It’s re-framing now by mainstream outlets as intrinsically transgressive is really weird, given that they’re still mainstreaming equivalent outfits like Guido and defending The Spectator’s god-given right to celebrate Nazism. I really don’t get it.
The Guardian has a more complete list of Tories using this far-right-friendly platform.
It is the choice to use and effectively endorse/legitimise such a platform as much as what is written. No way in hell would I go and talk about vintage Tannoys, idler decks or whatever on a Britain First, EDL, UKIP or KKK site. I’d just not want to be there or be seen to be there.
Ted Heath had a full Quad set up inc 57sI often wonder what these political and radical people use for their sound systems.
John Major uses a B&O music centre.
Stephen Fry uses a Quad 33/303 combo, dunno what speakers he has.
It is the choice to use and effectively endorse/legitimise such a platform as much as what is written. No way in hell would I go and talk about vintage Tannoys, idler decks or whatever on a Britain First, EDL, UKIP or KKK site. I’d just not want to be there or be seen to be there.
Ted Heath had a full Quad set up inc 57s
Gerard Batten put the word out last year to his Twitter followers: “ I’m over on Parler now along with Tommy Robinson and Katie Hopkins, why don’t you join us there.” Well, it looks like the call was answered,
If Gerard Batten achieved one thing it is to remove all doubt that UKIP is a racist/fascist entity. It is exactly the same festering pile of shit as the National Front, the Ku Klux Klan, The BNP, EDL, Britain First and all the rest of them. Farage always attempted (and failed) to keep a thin smokescreen of establishment respectability and plausibility on what was clearly a xenophobic far-right party. I guess the Tories stole that particular circus with Johnson’s similarly Bannon-influenced strategy.
Fascism and racism are non-interchangable. Fascism is also a street movement and that is why it needs to be defeated on the streets. UKIP is a nasty racist organisation but they haven't organised like NF, BNP EDL etc, and are not (yet) a fascist movement in my view. Some of the 'America First' crowd were fascists for sure, but many were old fashioned racists. It's important to be able to distinguish because that's key to defeating them. Business doesn't need to turn to fascism to protect its investments just now but they may do again in the future...
If UKIP aren’t fascist then this is unquestionably how fascism starts. All of the signs from history are there.
Gerard Batten put the word out last year to his Twitter followers: “ I’m over on Parler now along with Tommy Robinson and Katie Hopkins, why don’t you join us there.” Well, it looks like the call was answered,
In the 70s there were plenty of people around who had gone through WW2 or were at least very familiar with themOne of the keys to defeating the NF in the 70s was to call them out as Nazis - I don't think that label would stick to ukip, it has to be credible.
Like Trump, UKIP leaders have been very careful to avoid implicating themselves as they preach. The evidence comes more from UKIP members who are less inhibited and if you look at the general discourse among their followers on social media or the comments sections of their favoured newspapers, it’s riddled with outright racism and sectarianism - like calling for the elected Mayor of London to be ‘taken out and executed for treason’.Unquestionably - the Nazi core could grow and attempt to take over the nationalist popular element. That’s the current tactic of the fascists in the US. They will often attempt to present a moderate veneer and stand in elections etc but ultimately fascists are about controling through violence and terror. One of the keys to defeating the NF in the 70s was to call them out as Nazis - I don't think that label would stick to ukip, it has to be credible.
Like Trump, UKIP leaders have been very careful to avoid implicating themselves as they preach. The evidence comes more from UKIP members who are less inhibited and if you look at the general discourse among their followers on social media or the comments sections of their favoured newspapers, it’s riddled with outright racism and sectarianism - like calling for the elected Mayor of London to be ‘taken out and executed for treason’.
Like Trump, UKIP leaders have been very careful to avoid implicating themselves as they preach. The evidence comes more from UKIP members who are less inhibited and if you look at the general discourse among their followers on social media or the comments sections of their favoured newspapers, it’s riddled with outright racism and sectarianism - like calling for the elected Mayor of London to be ‘taken out and executed for treason’.