What do we think of Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party?

In reply to mcem and Urmstongran I hope you don't mind if I copy over part of a post from another thread - it seems relevant here (possibly more so) I would be interested in your thinking about the rest. The OP was about the Tories as you will see but it is all far, far wider than that in my opinion.

Whatever we say about the parties, or their leaders, it is what it is - broken. Because we are stuck in the mire of Brexit no one is even looking at what can be done. Both sides are looking only at the next election. This is even though it means they are both offering policies that cannot be carried through. Meanwhile May, pretty much partyless, and certainly governmentless, keeps repeating that her way is the only way. Which is true; the problem is that it is not a way anyone wants.

The Tories (as this is what the OP is about) used the referendum to try and hold their party together and they really don't care how much damage they do to the county while they fail to do that.

Far, far more important that leaving the EU at this point in time is taking a long, hard look at how our democracy is working and recognising that changes are needed and that these need to be changes the people believe in - not that the government dictates.

"Is this feast of fruitcakes really the future of British politics? " asks Charlotte Lytton in The Telegraph.

An opera singer, an ex-lads’ magazine editor and Ann Widdecombe walk into a parliamentary chamber: not the beginning of a joke – or a game of kiss, marry, kill – but the current leadership hopefuls for Nigel Farage’s new Brexit Party. Which is very different from Ukip, obviously, as it has the word “Brexit” in the title.

Anyhow, this is what our political future looks like – or might, come the European Elections on May 23. Others in the running include a former Communist, a toboganning-obsessed businessman and Jacob Rees-Mogg's sister- is this feast of fruitcakes really the future of British politics?

Urmstom.....yes to your last point! ?
Politicians think they are oh so important, but when it comes to voting time they will tremble.

Interesting point GGMK3
We have, in reality, so little control over our lives. Maybe that’s why, even for such a short time, we vote the way we do.

It does feel good though to wield that power at the ballot box!

GGMK3 a very interesting post, approaching the issue from a different angle.

maddyone. I imagine you do not see defining "who's in charge" as politics. Henry was determined to do just that because the pope would not allow him to do the thing he wanted to do. The pope was not just being a principled man of God (as he saw it) but was concerned that Catherine of Aragon's nephew, who held the title Holy Roman Emperor, would be more of a threat than he already felt him to be. These people, as I said were actively using the Church for political manipulation for their own, personal ends - just as those in government now are manipulating situations for their own political gain.

You then persuade people that this is based on faith, on a different truth to the one people have always lived by, and most importantly that you will give people more control over their lives. Just as the Protestants told people they could have a more direct relationship with God the politicians now tell us we can have more direct input into politics.

It has always been about politics and how those in control can use societal structure to ensure people will do what they want and, for at least a short period of time, feel good about it.

Grany ??????? oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear what have you done? The devil incarnate oh dear oh dear

eek Grany, those crazy ideas have no place here. Back to your crochet please.

Farage Brexit party rubbish same as UKIP and ChangeUK remain rubbish too. I am voting for Corbyn Labour a proper socialist party, for the many not the few
Money for schools, police, all public services, stop the sell off privatisation of our NHS

But but.... the Lib Dem’s promised all that varian in the last GE. They were the only party solidly for Remain and got trounced at 7% of the vote!

Message from the Liberal Democrats-

"Promise after promise of the Leave campaign has been found wanting.

By voting Liberal Democrat you will send a resounding message to Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and the leaders of the other Brexit parties, that we want this national embarrassment to end.

You won’t be alone. When remainers rise up – as one – and demand an exit from Brexit, we can and will win the argument.

Together, we can stop Brexit."

Let's do it. Stop this brexit nonsense now!

The birth of the Church of England was entirely about Henry VIII’s desire to marry Anne Boleyn, and in order to do that he needed a divorce from his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Under the Roman Catholic Church rules Henry was not allowed a divorce, consequently he declared himself to be The Head of the Church of England, and under the new English church he allowed himself a divorce. As a consequence he was able to marry Anne Boleyn.

I take it you don’t like the RC church then Mary? maddyone

It's nothing to do with "liking" or not liking the Church of Rome but simply seeing those who run it for what they are. The Christian Church can be seen to be hugely political way back in 325 AD (AD seems appropriate in this instance) at the Council of Nicaea.

The birth of the Church of England, which became a matter of faith for it's followers was almost entirely about politics. I bet Henry VIII's followers were all shouting that they wanted to "take back control" in those days while Henry and his court were busy trying to tell them that it was all for the sake of those "left behind" by the European Church of Rome. Henry declared himself Supreme Head of the of the Church of England and made himself and those around him very rich in the process.

Nihil novi sub sole as the "corrected" version of the bible, the Vulgate, would tell us.

I’m an atheist (humanist) maryeliza but I think you may well have just insulted a great many Christians of the RC faith on here with that remark. Urmstongran

I think we have long since decided that freedom of speech includes freedom to insult the religions. The only thing that could hold you back would be if you libeled "it". The defence for libel is the truth and I really don't think you would have much difficulty in proving that the Church of Rome was and is misogynistic.

Whatever you think of Farage, he is intelligent and resourceful. Lemongrove

Whatever I think of Farage it is certainly not that.

Sorry I meant ‘at least one of whose candidates is a misogynist’. Not to mention the leader who is BFF with DT. What’s not to like?

This thread is about the Brexit Party one of whose candidates is a misogynist. She is at home in the RC church which is misogynistic to its very core. That’s relevant to me.

Oops! Farage.

Stop digging maryeliza

This political thread is about Trump. Not the Church.

Start another thread perhaps?

I take it you don’t like the RC church then Mary?

The RC church isn’t political - hahahahaha ? Don’t you know anything about for example the role of the RC church in Irish history and its influence on government to prevent reproductive rights to women? Rights to bodily autonomy? Its malign influence still in many countries where young girls suffer mortality and morbidity because of excessive child bearing at a young age with no access to contraception or abortion because of the church’s political influence? If the RC church kept out of politics and didn’t try to impose its misogynistic views on society through preventing legislation to improve the rights of women, then fine, but it doesn’t . Look at the fight only just won in RoI and all the suffering that was caused beforehand.

Lemon, Urmston, Jabberwok, good posts.

Kandinsky, whoever spoke on Andrew Marr’s programme was probably right, as are you. The middle ground in politics is disappearing, and that is dangerous in my opinion. Extreme views so often lead to violence, unrest, and agitation. Not good at all.

Lily, how can you say she’s without humour, she was hilarious on that stupid (in my opinion) show where the couple dance, I can’t even remember it’s name, oh yes, Strictly Come Dancing. I watched that particular series just to see her every week

Different beliefs. Different faiths maryeliza

I just found it an unnecessary inflammatory comment. And your attitude ‘don’t care’ disrespectful.

Anyway I thought this was a political thread?

And this explains part of the problem - an all male priesthood
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-43330026