I predicted this would happen back in June. I called out Nigel Farage who, at an ‘emergency election announcement’ said: ‘What I intend to lead is a political revolt. Yes, a revolt. A turning of our backs against the political status quo’.
I compared this to Donald Trump inciting the violent Capitol riots on 6 January 2021, when thousands stormed Congress in a self-destructive attack led by the people on their own democracy.
This comparison was lambasted at the time. Well, to use Farage’s own words: you all laughed at me – but you’re not laughing now, are you? Because since three young girls were stabbed at a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport last Tuesday, vehicles have been set alight, fights have broken out between police and protestors, and over 400 people have been arrested. The UK has fallen.
And make no mistake, Prime Minister Keir Starmer quite rightly declared this violence ‘far-right thuggery’. As soon as the English Defence League (EDL) got a whiff that the Southport murderer could be a Muslim refugee who arrived on one of the infamous small boats last year, they ran wild.
This is why the blame lies at Farage’s door. The racist hatred and division that Reform UK have actively promoted has been bubbling away beneath the surface for some time. A BBC article claims the ‘UK is not at boiling point’ – but if this is not boiling point, what is? This has not been a one-off incident. There have been riots in Southport, London, Sunderland, Bristol, Belfast, Hull, Manchester, Rotherham, Bolton, Middlesbrough, Tamworth, Birmingham, Plymouth and Weymouth. This has been nationwide disorder.
Farage’s words are finally bearing fruit. Perhaps Farage didn’t realise the power of his own words or the magnitude of the tectonic rift he has triggered in British politics. What was previously just some clever political spin has now become a harsh reality as Britain is – quite literally – burning to the ground.
But I refuse to believe Farage didn’t intend to create such disruption. He has repeatedly stirred the pot, brewing up a racist anti-immigrant undercurrent. He called for a political revolt – and this is what he’s got. But even that wasn’t enough. Farage looked more like Trump than ever when, in all of this chaos, death and sadness, he said: ‘I wonder whether the truth is being held from us, I don’t know.’ Talk about kicking a man – or a nation – while he’s down.
As if you haven’t caused enough damage already. Have some sympathy for all the families who have lost – don’t just exploit a national tragedy to score cheap political points. Questioning the legitimacy and honesty of the establishment and the police stinks of the Capitol riots. Farage is not only forever clouded by the smell of tobacco and beer, he is also infused with the stench of Trump the divider.
Farage has denied allegations that he is to blame for these riots. I accept that Farage has not been out calling for people to riot – that gauntlet has been taken on by EDL leader Tommy Robinson, who has been fanning the flames from behind the digital safety of social media. But how blind – or dishonest – of Farage to fail to recognise that these rioters are his chickens coming home to roost. These people have bought into his narrative of a collapsing anti-English establishment and are orchestrating the very ‘political revolt’ he called for.
I feel extremely sorry for everyone who was conned into voting for Reform UK at the General Election just gone. You were promised a contract which now lies in tatters amongst the mountains of rubble erupting onto your streets. You were promised meaningful change to tackle illegal immigration which remains a significant problem – and I am allowed to say this whilst condemning these riots, by the way. Essentially, you were scammed by a political fraudster who won’t go away until he’s stolen all the votes he can get.
Chaos and anger on this scale doesn’t will itself into existence. It is always rooted in something. And yes, I have laid significant blame on Nigel Farage for egging on a ‘political revolt’. But do you not think another reason why people feel angry is precisely because the focus is not on Britain’s communities, but external matters?
For the past decade, all politicians have cared about is immigration, the EU, and sending aid to areas of conflict a million miles away. Brexit took five years and was supposed to solve our immigration problem. It hasn’t. Brexit was supposed to give us £350 million a week for our NHS. It didn’t. We’ve sent billions of pounds to Ukraine and, while it is important we support Ukraine, how can we stump up money for a war effort when our NHS, schools and roads have been crumbling before our very eyes? Essential community services are at breaking point. Do you not think this neglect across the political spectrum is why the floodgates have finally burst open?
Of course, this can also be signed, sealed and delivered to Farage because he has done a remarkable job in setting an immigration-based political agenda. But the mistake other political parties have made is listening to him, whilst ignoring the faltering heart of our crucial services.
So I hope you’re happy, Mr Farage. You called for a political revolt – and you’ve got it. You’ve been cooking up a storm for decades, so don’t be surprised if lightning bolts continue to rain down on Britain’s crumbling streets.
Image: Radarsmum67/Flickr
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