Controversial

[RogueHanger]

Rogue , won't be happy until Madam Merkel is President , living at No10. He'll not rest until we're all driving on the right..

I already drive on the right....most of the time.
Oh and my visits to Germany have been most enjoyable. I wouldn't hestitate to settle in Germany, but alas my linguistic skills don't stretch that far. And I admit that climate was a major factor in my consideration to move. Germany, of course, Bavaria especially, which would be most preferable place to relocate, enjoys hot summers but colder and slightly longer winters.

I am also worried about the rise of popularity of Marie le Pen which has mirrored the similar rise in Farage's popularity.
Marie le Pen also represents a significant shift of support to the right, although she's slightly left of her father who wanted to abolish immigration completely. Marie le Pen wants to reduce immigration in France. But there's no hint of withdrawal from EU.

So for years thee's been a contest between the major parties about who can gain and hold the centre ground (in both UK and France) and now there's a noticable shift to the far right (in both countries).

Interestingly, Angela Merkel represents a right-of-centre position also in her liberal-conservative party. Although her party is currently govening in an alliance with the left-of-centre party (Social-Democrats). Any alliances with any extremist parties have been dismissed. Angela Merkel, of course is very much pro EU, although she has argued for improved/increased integration of immigrants.

Maybe, Nigel Farage has been even less honest than I give him credit for. Maybe he's hijacking the anti-immigration sentiment and exploiting it to bolster his aspirations of withdrawal from EU.

 

[RogueHanger]

I have to go now (horn blowing duties)

HE'S A TAXI DRIVER.

Either that or he's qu**r.

Why did you ask? Was it that you thought you'd make that suggestion because you consider it as some kind of insult, just like EFLuence's suggestion that I'm a taxi driver.
Your prejudices are on display again and you weren't even aware of it.

Nigel Farage has stated his homophobic views already.
Is that why he's gained your support?

 

[RogueHanger]

A fair, true and accurate point is just that; regardless of who or where it came from. To that end, I'll give such recognition and respect irrespective of who or where it comes from, no matter how I feel about the poster, but that's just me...

A very fair comment, BT, one that I would be hard pressed to disagree with, in its simplistic form.
However, truth often depends on one's perspective. Consider the simple analogy of the round/square block. Perspective is everything.
Also, one should always have at the back of one's mind:
"who is saying what, and why are they saying it?"
I think that it is even more important with politicians than with any other 'profession'.
A politician can be relied on for one attribute: to use facts, figures, and perceived truths to their advantage, as and when it's advantageous to do so.
Also, when a politician argues a point, I've learned that they'll utilise argumentum ad absurdum all too frequently and the little of what I've read and seen of the debate, Nigel Farge is a master of its use.