BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 12 Oct 25 - 08:10 PM

Actually, 'nationalisation' was proposed by Joseph Chamberlain. Long before Corbyn was a twinkle in his father's eye.
Here

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Oct 25 - 03:45 AM

Well done, Dick. You have accepted that your first statement

Farage is very cunning, stealing a policy from Corbyn about water nabtionalisation.

Was wrong and changed it to

Corbyn started talking about water nationalisation, Farage is now talking about it.

However, you let yourself down a bit with my facts are right, water was privatised nearly a quarter of a century ago.

Water was privatised in 1989. 36 years ago so I'm afraid your "facts" are still wrong.

Details are still important

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Oct 25 - 08:48 AM

oh, and it was private before it was nationalised too :-D

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Oct 25 - 03:24 AM

I think murderers who are underage and cannot be sent to prison should be punished by being put in the stocks.
The same should also be used for Andrew and Fergie.
the uk prison system is full to capacity, so other forms of punishment for murderers and sexual offenders and underage murderers need to be considered.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Oct 25 - 04:40 AM

But not Capital Punishment

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 25 Oct 25 - 04:32 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6UKDwN-1JA David Icke interview

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Oct 25 - 11:47 AM

Well, that's 15 minutesof my life I'll never get back. Should have known better I suppose.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 26 Oct 25 - 12:09 PM

You will never get any 15 minutes back, once, ones life is gone its gone, I guess you watch Coronation Street

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 26 Oct 25 - 03:11 PM

What is the significance of an interview from around 2007 to UK politics in 2025?

DC

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 27 Oct 25 - 02:20 AM

Excellent thoughts from Michael Rosen regarding comments by the Reform UK MP, Sarah Pochin, about her perception of an over-representation of black and Asian people in TV advertising…

”Thoughts on Sarah Pochin and her comment on there being too many people of colour in ads and on TV:
the moment a politician or commentator complains in terms of the 'too many' label on a group, it's possible to see that it involves a a form of ring-fencing round a group according to the prejudices of the complainer.
At the root of it, is how and why we ring fence this group or that group.
Let's see where I can go with this,
Is there research on there being 'too many' or 'too few' dog-owners on our TV screens? Are there people checking to see if they are over- or under- represented on TV.
What about the possibility of there being 'too many' small people in the movie and TV business?
Are there too many people who wear glasses and contact lenses?
Are the people on TV a fair representation of the national average for Body Fat Index?
All legitimate questions, surely?
If they're not, why then the anxiety, expressed by Sarah Pochin about skin colour? It's only one feature out of thousands that we human beings possess.
Why does a non-white skin colour signify for her, 'not me'? Why isn't she equally worried about the colour of people's eyes (as Marcus Garvey and Bob Marley once put it)?
That question is of course entirely twisted up with the history of Empire, imperialism and a hierarchical view of humanity.
The deep irony of this is that it was of course absolutely fine for 100s of years for the non-representative white-skinned people to rule over people of colour but now, even the mere presence of people of colour in ads or on our screens (not even ruling over white people, I hasten to add, as was the case the other way round during the Empire), has Sarah Pochin deeply troubled.”

Very pertinent points made by Michael in his piece.

The original piece can be viewed here by the non-Facebook-phobic.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Fred
Date: 27 Oct 25 - 07:35 AM

I've said it before, the colour of your skin has got nothing to with what you're like as a person. My wife's best friend is black. Lovely woman, help anyone 'cos it's in her nature.

To be fair, It swings both ways, and what I mean by that is that some coloureds have an issue with whites. But it's what you're like as a person, that's what counts, and that's got nothing at to do with colour. Skin colour is only an issue if you want it to be. But that's not colour's fault, that's on you.

-F

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 27 Oct 25 - 05:28 PM

There does seem to be a trend in UK TV adverts where, in order to avoid the charge of gender stereotyping, only men are seen to be using kitchen and bathroom cleaning products. There was one, recently, where two teenagers, a boy and a girl, were shown enjoying cleaning up after their pet, but never girls on their own. It must restrict the work available to female actors considerably.

DC

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 27 Oct 25 - 08:41 PM

Backwoodsman:
"why then the anxiety, expressed by Sarah Pochin about skin colour? It's only one feature out of thousands that we human beings possess."

I know that you're quoting with this copy/paste, but I assume you're only doing so because it agrees with your view.

While I am totally against racism, I can understand the concern.

Going back a generation or two, when people were complaining that ethnic minorities were under-represented on tv was that racist?
If not, why are comments about over-representation seen as being so?

Keir Starmer has stuck his oar in, but then he's the leader of a party which insists that some constituencies must have women-only lists of electoral candidates. Surely time to call him out for his sexist views.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 28 Oct 25 - 02:18 AM

Please stop pretending to be thick, Nigel, we know you’re not, and it really doesn’t become you.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 30 Oct 25 - 09:27 AM

wall of shame - mps who voted in favour of fartarse's ten minute bill to pull out of ECHR:
Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice - North Antrim)
Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Stuart Andrew (Conservative - Daventry)
Edward Argar (Conservative - Melton and Syston)
Gareth Bacon (Conservative - Orpington)
Kemi Badenoch (Conservative - North West Essex)
Steve Barclay (Conservative - North East Cambridgeshire)
Peter Bedford (Conservative - Mid Leicestershire)
Saqib Bhatti (Conservative - Meriden and Solihull East)
Bob Blackman (Conservative - Harrow East)
Sarah Bool (Conservative - South Northamptonshire)
Andrew Bowie (Conservative - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)
Aphra Brandreth (Conservative - Chester South and Eddisbury)
Suella Braverman (Conservative - Fareham and Waterlooville)
Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - North Cotswolds)
Lewis Cocking (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Caroline Dinenage (Conservative - Gosport)
Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Nigel Farage (Reform UK - Clacton)
Peter Fortune (Conservative - Bromley and Biggin Hill)
Ashley Fox (Conservative - Bridgwater)
Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Louie French (Conservative - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Richard Fuller (Conservative - North Bedfordshire)
John Glen (Conservative - Salisbury)
Helen Grant (Conservative - Maidstone and Malling)
Andrew Griffith (Conservative - Arundel and South Downs)
Alison Griffiths (Conservative - Bognor Regis and Littlehampton)
Rebecca Harris (Conservative - Castle Point)
John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Nigel Huddleston (Conservative - Droitwich and Evesham)
Neil Hudson (Conservative - Epping Forest)
Bernard Jenkin (Conservative - Harwich and North Essex)
Robert Jenrick (Conservative - Newark)
Caroline Johnson (Conservative - Sleaford and North Hykeham)
Katie Lam (Conservative - Weald of Kent)
John Lamont (Conservative - Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk)
Edward Leigh (Conservative - Gainsborough)
Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East)
Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Alan Mak (Conservative - Havant)
Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
Esther McVey (Conservative - Tatton)
Gagan Mohindra (Conservative - South West Hertfordshire)
Robbie Moore (Conservative - Keighley and Ilkley)
Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Kieran Mullan (Conservative - Bexhill and Battle)
Andrew Murrison (Conservative - South West Wiltshire)
Jesse Norman (Conservative - Hereford and South Herefordshire)
Neil O'Brien (Conservative - Harborough, Oadby and Wigston)
Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Priti Patel (Conservative - Witham)
Rebecca Paul (Conservative - Reigate)
Chris Philp (Conservative - Croydon South)
Mark Pritchard (Conservative - The Wrekin)
Shivani Raja (Conservative - Leicester East) (Proxy vote cast by Gagan Mohindra)
Jack Rankin (Conservative - Windsor)
David Reed (Conservative - Exmouth and Exeter East)
Joe Robertson (Conservative - Isle of Wight East)
Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)
Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Patrick Spencer (Independent - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich) (Proxy vote cast by Gagan Mohindra)
Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Mel Stride (Conservative - Central Devon)
Graham Stuart (Conservative - Beverley and Holderness)
Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Bradley Thomas (Conservative - Bromsgrove)
Richard Tice (Reform UK - Boston and Skegness)
Nick Timothy (Conservative - West Suffolk)
Laura Trott (Conservative - Sevenoaks)
Martin Vickers (Conservative - Brigg and Immingham)
Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Helen Whately (Conservative - Faversham and Mid Kent)
James Wild (Conservative - North West Norfolk)
Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 Nov 25 - 09:11 AM

The right wing bots have been busy since the horrific train attack. Farage has been spouting his mouth off. Demanding that the attacker is named. Obviously hoping that it was an immigrant and now bitterly dissappointed that the attacker was British. I have even seen conspiracists claiming that Anthony Williams was not the real attacker and the true identity is being covered bythe government,

What is the matter with these people? Thousands posted that it was an illegal immigrant without the slightest concern for the truth. Or the victims!

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 03 Nov 25 - 12:39 PM

The most bizarre one was that Williams is his slave master given name so than makes him over 200 years old, not 32. Surely too old to stand trial!!!

If there is anything fortuitous arising, anything the racists say about the attacker cannot say it is about immigration or undermining British values (when I last looked morris dancers and shanty singers have not be rounded up en mass and prosecuted under Sharia Law) but have to now admit that for them it is all about skin colour.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Nov 25 - 01:51 PM

The whole thing has been sensationailised by the media, millions of people travel on trains and there are no stabbings.
white stabbers should be sent to the arctic.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 04 Nov 25 - 02:30 PM

"Not income tax, nor VAT:
Manifesto guarantee.
Rachel Reeves is just a joke.
She will leave our country broke!"

(With apologies to 'Only Fools & Horses')

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 Nov 25 - 05:22 PM

The United Kingdom's economy before Keir Starmer became Prime Minister. The UK economy was facing significant challenges prior to 2024, including the lingering effects of Brexit, high inflation, and a stagnant economic growth rate.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Nov 25 - 01:36 AM

Thousands posted that it was an illegal immigrant without the slightest concern for the truth. Or the victims! quote.
proves that those people are racists

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Nov 25 - 06:09 AM

Nice one, Nigel :-D

Oddly enough though. I think increasing tax is her only way forward now. It will be interesting to see how she does it - Corporation tax, higher rate income tax and VAT on 'luxury' goods would be my targets while removing or cutting VAT on energy bills would help those on lower incomes. Whatever she does will be wrong and, to be honest, I think the pledge to not increase tax was very foolish anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 05 Nov 25 - 08:09 AM

I can’t disagree Dave, although I think (at least, I hope!) that the pledge not to increase tax was made before the absolute nightmare of the shit-show the Tories had left - a deliberate booby-trap device IMHO - was fully understood.

Like you, I hope that she aims her increases towards corporations and the wealthy, and leaves those at the lower end alone.

I had to smile at the inept Helen Whateley on Politics Live today, twittering about the Labour government referring to the mess the Tories had left even though Labour have been in power for eighteen months, whilst conveniently ignoring the fact that her own Party made precisely the same complaints for the entire fourteen years they help power about the previous Labour government.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 05 Nov 25 - 08:11 AM

HELD power! #%*@&¥!!

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 05 Nov 25 - 03:06 PM

Jeremy Hunt as Chancellor left Labour a carefully-poisoned fiscal chalice. The Conservatives weren't thinking of improving their chances in the then-upcoming election, but in the one after that, when Labour could take the flak for them.

At least Rachel Reeves has now said the quiet bit out loud, and on the record: the 4% hit on the UK economy directly attributable to Brexit. It's unfortunate that she didn't mention that earlier, and get the Pavlovian baying in the English meeja out of the way, but tap-dancing in a minefield does tend to be distracting.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Nov 25 - 04:24 PM

the present state of the uk economy, has to be down to the conservatives who mishandled the economy for years, before the labour party recently inherited a mess, Nigel has buttered his own parsnips, with his doggerel

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 05 Nov 25 - 09:11 PM

"the present state of the uk economy, has to be down to the conservatives who mishandled the economy for years, " (Ignoring the one-off costs of Covid & Ukraine.)
And when Labour came in they claimed things were worse than they expected, but having seen all the figures they could sort it out with one large tax-raising budget (2024) which would not need to be repeated.
One year later . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Nov 25 - 03:36 AM

As I said, Nigel, I think that the only option is, as you say, a tax raising budget, even if it us unpopular.

Oh, and you missed the elephant in the room with your additional costs - Brexit. The 2.5% reduction in economy that it has cost so far would have gone a long way towards filling the Black hole. But every Tory government since Cameron has gone for the populist option rather than the sensible one. Let us hope that Reeves' budget, unpopular as it will be, will put the economy above self interest for a change.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Nov 25 - 02:24 AM

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y0z2q2g2ro link about starmer leadership

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Nov 25 - 08:57 AM

Who supports Reform and why

Interesting breakdown. It is noticeable that 3 out of the 5 groups are anti-immigrant. As I kave often said these people are not idiots, although only 1 in 5 have gone to degree level education. They are dissillusioned and Reform are offereng an 'easy answer'. Sadly, many do not see that the populist easy answer is doomed to failure. Deporting immigrants will hit poorer paid jobs, particularly in the NHS, which is also a concern. A regulated and balanced media, icluding social media, would also help but I am not going to hold my breath for that one.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Nov 25 - 09:47 AM

Anti immigrant populism, appeals to the worst in people, its a divisive tactic that has never yet solved any economic problem

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 14 Nov 25 - 04:38 AM

what is the opinion of others on the uk budget?
Reeves has done a U turn, Presumably not wanting to be unpopular. here is a link from RTE NEWS to a article from FT
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2025/1114/1

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Aethelric
Date: 14 Nov 25 - 05:11 AM

The budget is still over a week away. It's pathetic they way they are leaking stuff all over the place to gauge public opinion instead of just doing what needs to be done.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 15 Nov 25 - 05:07 AM

I agree

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 02:11 PM

ex Reform MP Sentenced for bribery link to Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/nov/21/nigel-farage-urged-to-root-out-reform-links-to-russia-after-jailing-of-nathan-g

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 02:40 PM

"ex Reform MP Sentenced for bribery link to Guardian"
I didn't realise that having a link to The Guardian was a problem.
The link given fails to find the story.
Despite the claim, Nathan Gill doesn't appear to have ever been an 'MP'.

Of course, some people will come here and post any 'crap' they think shows Reform (or even The Conservative Party) in a bad light.
Is it too much to ask for some facts?

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 02:45 PM

https://news.sky.com/video/pm-says-farage-needs-to-launch-an-investigation-after-reform-member-jailed-over-pro-russian-bribes-13
here is a link to sky news on the subject, some facts for you . I am not posting crap but fact, no one has mentioned the conservative arty other than you

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 02:47 PM

Nigel, here
sky news logo
21 Nov
sunny
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PM says Farage 'needs to launch an investigation' after Reform member jailed over pro-Russian bribes

The former leader of Reform UK in Wales has been sentenced to 10 and a half years after he admitted accepting tens of thousands of pounds in cash to make pro-Russian statements to the media and European Parliament.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 05:01 PM

He was a member of the european parliament, i have provided ypu with facts, unles you apoligize for your boorish rude post , it will look like you are an apologist for Gill and reform.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 21 Nov 25 - 07:55 PM

"He was a member of the european parliament, i have provided ypu with facts, unles you apoligize for your boorish rude post , it will look like you are an apologist for Gill and reform."?

You claimed that he was a 'reform MP'.

I will ignore the fact that you cannot spell either 'unless' or 'apologise'. Or understand that 'European' requires a capital letter.

Calling my post 'boorish and rude' is to totally misunderstand the use of the English language.

Please apologise for your comments, or else, 'go away' (Polite version of what I would prefer to say)

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Nov 25 - 03:07 AM

Gill was a member for the European parliament, that means he was a MEMBER OF A PARLIAMENT.
you said "Of course, some people will come here and post any 'crap' they think shows Reform (or even The Conservative Party) in a bad light." ,

in fact i posted the truth, i used the American spelling for apologise nobody other than you mentioned the conservatives
Nigel
Please apologise for your comments, or else, 'go away'

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 Nov 25 - 05:08 AM

In the UK the correct title for a member of the European Parliament is MEP. This is to distinguish them from members of our own parliament who are known as MPs. In addition, Gill sat in the European Parliament as a member of UKIP and then the Brexit party. To call him an "ex Reform MP" is wrong and very misleading.

Details do matter. Get the facts right and you are much more likely to win the argument.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 22 Nov 25 - 06:06 AM

‘Apoligize’ is not the American spelling of ‘apologise’.

Attention to detail - always.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Nov 25 - 09:36 AM

Nathan Lee Gill (born 6 July 1973) is a British former politician who served as the Leader of Reform UK Wales from March to May 2021 and UKIP in Wales from 2014 to 2016. He previously served as Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Wales from 2014 to January 2020[3] as well as a Member of the National Assembly for Wales from May 2016 to December 2017.

Gill served as a UK Independence Party (UKIP) MEP until his defection on 6 December 2018,[4] and from 2016 to 2017 also an independent Member of the National Assembly for Wales.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Nov 25 - 09:41 AM

NOBODY Other than nigel mentioned the conservative party.From the Guardian
Reform UK
Analysis
Farage’s views on Russia likely to be further tested after jailing of Nathan Gill
Rowena Mason
Whitehall editor

It would be expedient for Reform to take Labour’s advice and disavow ‘Putin talking points’

    Reform UK’s former Wales leader jailed for taking bribes for pro-Russia speeches

Fri 21 Nov 2025 18.02 CET

The discovery of a pro-Russian asset, Nathan Gill, at the heart of a British political party reads like the plot of a John Le Carré novel.

Russia was long known to have been trying to interfere in foreign politics with online bots and cyber-disinformation over the past decade.

However, the Nathan Gill case is now a concrete example of a pro-Russian agent enlisting and paying a Brexit-friendly party politician to spread the propaganda of Moscow and against Ukraine in Europe.

In the 1960s, it tended more to be Labour and far-left politicians who were largely the subject of Soviet attempts to plant agents in the west. In modern times, it is no surprise that the parties Gill represented were Ukip, the Brexit party, and briefly Reform UK.

When seeking a sympathetic vessel for pro-Russia views, the nationalist, anti-EU and anti-migrant parties of Europe have been obvious targets for Vladimir Putin’s Russia – which have a shared hostility towards the European bloc.

Farage, who led Ukip, the Brexit party and now Reform, and was a longstanding associate of Gill, has claimed the former MEP was a “bad apple” who betrayed his party and country.

But Farage’s own publicly expressed views on Russia and Putin appear to have created an environment in which those more sympathetic than most to Moscow have been drawn to his parties.

The court case shows that while Gill was the only MEP found to have taken payments for making pro-Russia statements, some of his colleagues had been making similar points in favour of Moscow’s narrative on the war in Ukraine without reward.

Farage himself, who has not been under scrutiny as part of the investigation or played in role in assisting it, has spoken of his admiration for Putin as a political operator and repeatedly warned the west against “poking the Russian bear with a stick”, in recent years accusing it of provoking the war in Ukraine.

Back in 2014, he cited Putin as the politician he most admired, “as an operator but not as a human being”. Asked whether he regretted making the comments at the time, Farage told a Chatham House audience: “I said I don’t like him, I wouldn’t trust him and I wouldn’t want to live in his country, but compared with the kids who run foreign policy in this country, I’ve more respect for him than our lot.”

He also made at least 17 appearances on state-owned Russia Today between 2010 and 2014, on which he made no criticisms of Russian democracy and claimed Europe was governed not by elected democracies but instead “by the worst people we have seen in Europe since 1945”.
Nigel Farage speaks into the microphone while sitting on a sofa at a bitcoin conference
Cryptocurrency backed by Farage donor is used for Russian war effort, investigators say
Read more

The issue of Russia is also felt by some Reform insiders to have harmed the party in last year’s election, when Farage repeated his views since the 1990s that “the ever-eastward expansion” of the Nato military alliance and the EU was giving Putin “a reason to [give to] his Russian people to say ‘they’re coming for us again’ and to go to war”. He added: “We provoked this war. Of course, it’s his fault.”

Reform UK as a party now appears to sense there is some political danger in appearing too generous towards Russia, given it is ahead in the polls and public opinion in the UK is firmly pro-Ukraine and anti-Moscow. The party said on Friday that Gill had acted in a “reprehensible, treasonous and unforgivable” way.

However, Farage’s own views on Russia and Ukraine are likely to be further tested – particularly on whether he still believes the west provoked the war.

Labour, no doubt, scents the possibility of undermining Reform UK’s poll lead by calling on Farage to root out pro-Russia views within his party and to disavow “Putin talking points” such as the idea that the west and Ukraine provoked Putin’s invasion.

Farage is not a politician known for letting go of long-held positions, even when it is politically expedient. But it would be good politics by Reform to take their rival party’s advice.
Explore more on these topics

    Reform UK
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    Vladimir Putin
    Nigel Farage
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Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Nov 25 - 09:51 AM

I will continue to criticise, reform, ukip, nathan gill.
apoligize was a typo.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Nov 25 - 09:55 AM

The brains of a pedant however full, are vacant.
Sir Fulke Greville

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 Nov 25 - 11:16 AM

It is not pedantary to point out that Nathan Gill was never a reform MP and therefore should not be referred to as an ex reform MP.

I shall also continue to fight against the policies of Reform PLC but as they rely on lies, deceit and misinformation we need to make sure that our own arguments stand up to scrutiny

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Nov 25 - 11:52 AM

the important thing that you seem to miss, is that he had been connected with reform and was...
    Reform UK’s former Wales leader, and was a member of the European parliament
what do you mean Reform PLC
Reform is not a Public Limited Company (PLC); it is a non-profit organization registered with Companies House with "no persons with significant control"
. As a political party, it operates under different legal structures than a commercial company.
You lecture me about correct descriptions, and then describe REFORM as a PLC

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit and other UK politics thread 4
From: Raggytash
Date: 22 Nov 25 - 12:22 PM

300