Privileged Elite (16/06/16)
Ian Birrell hits the nail on thread in this column for inews in which he highlights the hypocrisy of Nigel Farage and Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson attacking the UK's privileged elite.
Because Boris has led a very privileged life since a young age while Nigel, a former stockbroker, hasn't had a real job since he became a Member of the European Parliament in 1999.
Who's kidding who here?
https://inews.co.uk/opinion/brexit-revolution-farce-headed-hypocritical-elites/
Brexit: Why are society’s most privileged complaining about elitism?
By Ian Birrell - inews
These are worrying times for those of us who do not desire to see our nation retreat into isolation, pulling up a drawbridge over the Channel and snarling at the concept of co-operation. With each passing day, the debate over Brexit seems to descend to another dispiriting level. One side sounds faintly hysterical, the other seems driven largely by fear of foreigners and distaste for modernity. This is politics at its most raw and visceral, fuelled by personal ambitions. It is fascinating to watch. Yet the country’s future is at stake.
Given that those seeking withdrawal have spent so many years waiting for this moment, their inability to explain the shape of Britain’s relationship with the European Union if they win is astonishing. They parrot the idea that our economy is so big those pesky foreigners will fall into line with our demands, ignoring realities of the open market. Non-member Switzerland spent 17 years negotiating just one insurance deal and has failed to secure financial access – among the reasons why its banks are in London. It has also been told to choose between border controls or economic access after a referendum on immigration.
Brexit leaders dismiss such facts with spurious talk of taking back control. Typical was Nigel Farage’s shambolic performance on the Andrew Marr Show. The Ukip leader admitted he wants to cut net immigration to about 30-40,000 people a year, while also saying he supports family reunions, currently running at 43,000 a year from non-EU nationals. So as the presenter pointed out, he is arguing effectively for no migration from either inside or outside the EU, which would destroy several industries, public services and the City of London. ‘The numbers simply don’t add up,’ said Marr correctly.
These are worrying times for those of us who do not desire to see our nation retreat into isolation, pulling up a drawbridge over the Channel and snarling at the concept of co-operation. With each passing day, the debate over Brexit seems to descend to another dispiriting level. One side sounds faintly hysterical, the other seems driven largely by fear of foreigners and distaste for modernity. This is politics at its most raw and visceral, fuelled by personal ambitions. It is fascinating to watch. Yet the country’s future is at stake.
Given that those seeking withdrawal have spent so many years waiting for this moment, their inability to explain the shape of Britain’s relationship with the European Union if they win is astonishing. They parrot the idea that our economy is so big those pesky foreigners will fall into line with our demands, ignoring realities of the open market. Non-member Switzerland spent 17 years negotiating just one insurance deal and has failed to secure financial access – among the reasons why its banks are in London. It has also been told to choose between border controls or economic access after a referendum on immigration.
Brexit leaders dismiss such facts with spurious talk of taking back control. Typical was Nigel Farage’s shambolic performance on the Andrew Marr Show. The Ukip leader admitted he wants to cut net immigration to about 30-40,000 people a year, while also saying he supports family reunions, currently running at 43,000 a year from non-EU nationals. So as the presenter pointed out, he is arguing effectively for no migration from either inside or outside the EU, which would destroy several industries, public services and the City of London. ‘The numbers simply don’t add up,’ said Marr correctly.
