Another big win for Nigel Farage. Brexit didn’t exactly restore the British empire (to put it mildly), so how he still manages to get so many votes is beyond me…

This cartoon is from way back in 2014, but as with so many cartoons these days, I can simply recycle it.

#UK #NigelFarage #ExtremeRight

@royaards Because he doesn't challenge power. He blames it all on immigrants, the least powerful group in the UK. And because he doesn't challenge power, the powers that be that control the (social) media have no problem amplifying his message. And at the same time groups that do challenge those in power (greens, previously Corbyn) get treated to ridiculous scrutiny from the same media channels. Rinse repeat in every country. #taxtherichoutofexistence
@Nienkez @royaards he gets votes for the same reasons Geert Wilders and younger "piano man" chap (Thierry Baudet?), and BBB do - in both our countries theres also about 33% of constantly angry people looking for someone to blame. They were angry about immigrants 30-50 years ago, but when neoliberalism provided short term economic gains hate got /temporarily/ pushed aside, but returned when the economy declined..
@vfrmedia @royaards You forget how actively people are pushed to these snake oil salesman. Sure, some people are racist, but if you put on the telly they are totally vindicating these opinions instead of scorning them. And XR and antifa get the exact opposite treatment.

@Nienkez @royaards

this is also a product of the hollowing out of public service broadcasting (which I saw happen 25 years ago when working as a broadcast engineer, supplying equipment to both UK and NL broadcasters) and neoliberal deregulation (which initially seemed cool as it claimed to give everyone a voice, but meant those with deep pockets could easily take over control of media).

Right wingers have massive investment in video/audio production, too many ambitious young folk who enable them as they want a career in media, and supply ready made content/interview opportunities to cash-strapped public service media..

@vfrmedia @royaards Yes, it is central to this stage of capitalism.
@vfrmedia
πŸ’‘ Yes! And not only in Netherlands...
@Nienkez @royaards
@royaards I just feel like we should know how to steer the psychology better.

@royaards
Is 28% of actual vote and 9.6% of electorate big?
That might be just England.

Edit:
https://mastodon.ie/@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us/116549071470849281

mastodon.ie

@royaards Equal parts: racism, ignorance, and anger, shaken (or stirred) for profit.
@royaards same way Trump got so many votes: a neoliberal establishment that uses all of its energy fighting off any promise of change on the left, so anyone who wants to vote against that neoliberal establishment is funneled to the right by the neoliberal establishment itself.

@royaards it's the Racism, it's the same in every country. Grifters appeal to the Racists, Centrists sit on the fence and lose.

#Politics #Fascism #Centrism #Labour #ReformUK

@royaards

Honestly, probably because both labour and the tories suck so fuuuuucking BAD that people are just desperate for anyone that isn't *them* (explains the Greens unusual success as well).