Farage in Brussels - a national embarrassment
Discussion
lostkiwi said:
He never had a mandate to remove us from the EU. Thats my point.
Whilst he he has done it it wasn't why he was there.
There are elements of your angle that I fully agree with.Whilst he he has done it it wasn't why he was there.
But in debate elsewhere on here where I've stood similar ground on our MEPs, the alternative view was that he, more than any other MP, has been very clear what his views are and what forms pretty much the entirety of his manifesto.
If the electorate vote him in on that basis (whether as an MP, MEP or whatever position) then the argument goes that he very much has a mandate. Perhaps a clearer one than someone who has a manifesto covering dozens of topics, some of which may end up being mutually exclusive as far as the people who voted for them are concerned.
I still think he should keep his mouth shut (he's "won" and gloating is never a good trait, nor as successful in letting that sink in with rivals as a more humble/quiet approach), and I still think the MEPs who haven't been rocking up to votes would have strengthened their case if they had done so and been voted/shouted down by the other 27 nations (evidently not necessary in the end as the majority of the electorate have decided enough's enough anyway). But I can see the alternative point of view and it's as compelling as the one you're (and myself in the past) laying out.
Kermit power said:
Once an MP or MEP is elected to office, they have a duty to represent their ALL of their constituents to the best of their abilities, whether they agree with them or not.
You wouldn't accept it if your MP told you he didn't have time to help you on a constituency matter or participate in parliamentary debates because he was busy focusing on a single issue of strategy, and it shouldn't have been acceptable for Farage either.
That he delivered on a single issue for the people who voted for him is beyond question, but so is the fact that he failed to provide proper representation for his electorate as a whole on day to day issues in Europe. If he wanted to focus all his efforts on getting the UK out of Europe, then he should've done that, rather than putting himself forwards as an MEP.
Wrong. MEPs are not like MPs. For a given region of the UK, multiple MEPs are voted for on a PR basis. Farage stood on BREXIT, others didnt and are available to represent their constituents on a different basis.You wouldn't accept it if your MP told you he didn't have time to help you on a constituency matter or participate in parliamentary debates because he was busy focusing on a single issue of strategy, and it shouldn't have been acceptable for Farage either.
That he delivered on a single issue for the people who voted for him is beyond question, but so is the fact that he failed to provide proper representation for his electorate as a whole on day to day issues in Europe. If he wanted to focus all his efforts on getting the UK out of Europe, then he should've done that, rather than putting himself forwards as an MEP.
alfie2244 said:
lostkiwi said:
sidicks said:
lostkiwi said:
He never had a mandate to remove us from the EU. Thats my point.
Whilst he he has done it it wasn't why he was there.
Why did people vote for him as their MEP?Whilst he he has done it it wasn't why he was there.
k knows!Murph7355 said:
lostkiwi said:
He never had a mandate to remove us from the EU. Thats my point.
Whilst he he has done it it wasn't why he was there.
There are elements of your angle that I fully agree with.Whilst he he has done it it wasn't why he was there.
But in debate elsewhere on here where I've stood similar ground on our MEPs, the alternative view was that he, more than any other MP, has been very clear what his views are and what forms pretty much the entirety of his manifesto.
If the electorate vote him in on that basis (whether as an MP, MEP or whatever position) then the argument goes that he very much has a mandate. Perhaps a clearer one than someone who has a manifesto covering dozens of topics, some of which may end up being mutually exclusive as far as the people who voted for them are concerned.
I still think he should keep his mouth shut (he's "won" and gloating is never a good trait, nor as successful in letting that sink in with rivals as a more humble/quiet approach), and I still think the MEPs who haven't been rocking up to votes would have strengthened their case if they had done so and been voted/shouted down by the other 27 nations (evidently not necessary in the end as the majority of the electorate have decided enough's enough anyway). But I can see the alternative point of view and it's as compelling as the one you're (and myself in the past) laying out.
Then you WOULD see democracy in action
alfie2244 said:
lostkiwi said:
sidicks said:
lostkiwi said:
He never had a mandate to remove us from the EU. Thats my point.
Whilst he he has done it it wasn't why he was there.
Why did people vote for him as their MEP?Whilst he he has done it it wasn't why he was there.
k knows!lostkiwi said:
He never had a mandate to remove us from the EU. Thats my point.
Whilst he he has done it it wasn't why he was there.
He's the leader of UKIP, the party that campaigned for the UK to leave the EU, and the party that came first in the UK European Elections. I'd say that's a pretty rock solid mandate.Whilst he he has done it it wasn't why he was there.
RegMolehusband said:
InfiniteVoltage said:
Just watching one of the most arrogant individuals ever to be voted in to a position within British politics put forward a shameful perceived position of the british public.
Total disgrace.
I haven't followed this thread, but I do have to say that quite a lot of people in the chamber were applauding his comments, including the more cutting ones. Were they UKIP MEPs or does he have wider appeal in there than we imagine?Total disgrace.
He was, and still is, the main protagonist behind wanting this, it's his goal in his life!
He was Belgian PM for some years before the Flemish voters got sick of him and kicked him into touch.
He then got elected to the EU gravy train. Well, well, sound familiar - voters tell them to f. off and they all end up in the EU!
Verhofstadt did not mince his words in his s
tty little 76 page paperback. He wanted to create a United States of Europe, with all member states of the European Union participating if possible, with a group of 'pioneers' if necessary.Thankfully, Farage, and the people of Britain has f
ked up his plan totally. And is it still on my bookshelf? Don't be silly, it was used to light my chiminea. It wasn't even suitable for pulping or ass paper!
sidicks said:
alfie2244 said:
lostkiwi said:
sidicks said:
lostkiwi said:
He never had a mandate to remove us from the EU. Thats my point.
Whilst he he has done it it wasn't why he was there.
Why did people vote for him as their MEP?Whilst he he has done it it wasn't why he was there.
k knows!We don't need to play nice with these EU power junkies to get what we want. That's the last thing we should do. It's what Cameron did and he came back with his list of discussion points shoved up his arse. We don't need them, we don't need to negotiate with them. We need to tell them to shove it and encourage the people of other EU members to do the same. Many will not take much encouragement now they have seen someone take a lead. It was people power in the UK that got us out and it will be people power in the rest of Europe that topples them despite their hard of hearing leaders. We should be damn proud of having the balls to take them on and not resort to demeaning grovelling like the Scottish.
Farage was right. They are a bunch of career politicians with their snouts in the trough. Most have never done a days work in their lives or run so much as a sweety shop. They make FIFA look positively benign . A bloody good chunk of them have been rejected by their own electorate but still live off their hard earned as a thanks for services rendered. Tossers, fascists, chancers and wide boys who think they are above accountability and scrutiny and make absolutely no secret of it. I have no problem with my representatives telling them so. Especially in words will will get reported in every country in Europe for the people to hear and be encouraged by.
Farage was right. They are a bunch of career politicians with their snouts in the trough. Most have never done a days work in their lives or run so much as a sweety shop. They make FIFA look positively benign . A bloody good chunk of them have been rejected by their own electorate but still live off their hard earned as a thanks for services rendered. Tossers, fascists, chancers and wide boys who think they are above accountability and scrutiny and make absolutely no secret of it. I have no problem with my representatives telling them so. Especially in words will will get reported in every country in Europe for the people to hear and be encouraged by.
mikal83 said:
lostkiwi said:
UKIP had 24/72 UK seats. Where's the mandate?
Give it up FFS your starting to come over as a prove theres no God crap.Or are you going to tell me I'm not allowed an opinion as I'm not British?
Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff