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The Brexit hypocrites: from Farage's EU pension to sellout Corbyn
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/18/brexit-hypocrites-farage-corbynSome prominent leavers are betraying supporters, moving abroad, protecting assets or taking EU funds
‘Why should my family suffer?’
I’m not sure if there’s a stipulation that Brexiters must be off-the-scale hypocrites, but it’s definitely popular. As those pushing for a Brexit that will almost certainly negatively affect the UK are seen doing things like moving abroad; protecting their assets; lining up to profit from EU withdrawal; or prioritising their own career interests, it looks more and more like contagion.
Here are the worst offenders.
Nigel Farage
Nigel Farage, who has spent his entire career arguing for Brexit, and slagging off the European parliament from his seat in the … European parliament, has announced that, no, he will not be giving up his £73,000 per annum EU pension. Because, as he understandably explained: “Why should my family suffer?” Quite right. The rest of our families, bracing for an economic hit, a shortage of NHS staff to take care of us, a possible destruction of relationships and a narrowing of travel options, can suck it up. Then again, Farage is not new to hypocrisy. A privately educated former banker who rails against the establishment. An anti-immigration, anti-free-movement politician who has a German wife, and two of whose children have German passports. (Oh, and letting a French politician stay in his London home.) I half expect him to come out against tweed suits and pints of beer.
Theresa May
Theresa May is someone who knows the destruction Brexit will bring to the UK, but is pushing ahead regardless, while spouting things she knows to be false. Brexit dividend? She kept her head down for most of the remain campaign, with an eye on a future leadership bid, which turned out to be tactically sound. But she did give a speech to Goldman Sachs in which she said of remain: “I think the economic arguments are clear. I think being part of a 500 million trading bloc is significant for us.” And then went on to talk about the security benefits of being part of the EU. She’s a defender of the Good Friday agreement, but doesn’t seem to understand that her Irish border policy (I use the word policy loosely) threatens it. She is not beholden to the DUP, but also totally is. Her latest about-turn is promising Dominic Grieve and other Tory rebels a meaningful vote in the event of no deal, and then afterwards denying the whole thing. Absolute wind-up merchant.
Jeremy Corbyn
There’s something phenomenally rude about lapping up the support of young people to win the Labour leadership (twice) and then campaigning to stay in the EU (which 75% of 18- to 24-year-olds support) with all the fervour of an Arsenal fan cheering Tottenham.
‘Why should my family suffer?’
I’m not sure if there’s a stipulation that Brexiters must be off-the-scale hypocrites, but it’s definitely popular. As those pushing for a Brexit that will almost certainly negatively affect the UK are seen doing things like moving abroad; protecting their assets; lining up to profit from EU withdrawal; or prioritising their own career interests, it looks more and more like contagion.
Here are the worst offenders.
Nigel Farage
Nigel Farage, who has spent his entire career arguing for Brexit, and slagging off the European parliament from his seat in the … European parliament, has announced that, no, he will not be giving up his £73,000 per annum EU pension. Because, as he understandably explained: “Why should my family suffer?” Quite right. The rest of our families, bracing for an economic hit, a shortage of NHS staff to take care of us, a possible destruction of relationships and a narrowing of travel options, can suck it up. Then again, Farage is not new to hypocrisy. A privately educated former banker who rails against the establishment. An anti-immigration, anti-free-movement politician who has a German wife, and two of whose children have German passports. (Oh, and letting a French politician stay in his London home.) I half expect him to come out against tweed suits and pints of beer.
Theresa May
Theresa May is someone who knows the destruction Brexit will bring to the UK, but is pushing ahead regardless, while spouting things she knows to be false. Brexit dividend? She kept her head down for most of the remain campaign, with an eye on a future leadership bid, which turned out to be tactically sound. But she did give a speech to Goldman Sachs in which she said of remain: “I think the economic arguments are clear. I think being part of a 500 million trading bloc is significant for us.” And then went on to talk about the security benefits of being part of the EU. She’s a defender of the Good Friday agreement, but doesn’t seem to understand that her Irish border policy (I use the word policy loosely) threatens it. She is not beholden to the DUP, but also totally is. Her latest about-turn is promising Dominic Grieve and other Tory rebels a meaningful vote in the event of no deal, and then afterwards denying the whole thing. Absolute wind-up merchant.
Jeremy Corbyn
There’s something phenomenally rude about lapping up the support of young people to win the Labour leadership (twice) and then campaigning to stay in the EU (which 75% of 18- to 24-year-olds support) with all the fervour of an Arsenal fan cheering Tottenham.
More at link.
