Middle ground the new left wing?

[PatelsPlatoon]

I was out with friends in London on Saturday, who I haven't seen for a while. 

Nice enough evening, but then found out my mate's wife, after 4-5 glasses of wine, started a rant about the boats and the 'rapist' in Essex who started  the unrest, before then pledging her admiration for Farage.

My wife and I stayed quiet, whilst the other couple joined in agreeing with her.

My wife was going to say that the guy in Essex was not a rapist, but simply someone who touched a girl on the knee and this is normal enough stuff inappropriate uncomfortable stuff that had been blown out of proportion for political twisting.

However, she stayed silent and we just ushered the chat on elsewhere.

On returning to our room we chatted about the incident and said, despite us being anything but left wing we feel it's impossible to talk to these Reform types to point out any incorrect facts etc. If we'd have said anything we'd be labelled left wing and against their man. 

Equally the other lad in our party was expressing amazement that a mutual friend has cut off an American pal for very pro Trump views.
I didn't bother pointing out perhaps he thinks someone who holds such views is a complete arsehole. 

It seems now the freedom of speech seems very one sided where idiotic lies and hatred seem to be the accepted by a certain demographic, with anyone even remotely liberal trying to talk reason as some left wing idealist.

I just feel anything other than silence with these friends on politics would have not helped the social occasion. I'm sure it wasn't like this 10 years ago.

Very uncomfortable times.

[tHEgLASSdOORS]

Aye. In a world full of noise based on attention how does centrism capture a core audience under one umbrella?

Answer - it probably can’t

[baggy1]

It's rife PP, I have a number of friends that we enjoy a night out with that I cannot talk politics with because of this widespread belief that the immigrants are to blame for the state of the country, or people will die because of the WFA cut, or that they don't want immigrants in their local hotels and have stood outside waving flags to demonstrate their beliefs. There isn't any scope for a conversation any more because there are people both left and right that refuse to either listen or apply any logic. This morning alone, Dekka has called me a Tory for daring to say the country is skint and there is a problem with welfare costs spiralling.

[WorcsWBA]

Not challenging ridiculous/untrue societal viewpoints just allows them to fester and grow. As a result, the US is accelerating towards an authoritarian regime whilst those who know better nevertheless sit on their hands.

[man in the corner shop]

You really can't rationalise with these types. Their delusion and hatred is impermeable.

People will say "ah but looking down your snooty noses won't change their minds".

I have engaged with everyone I know that supports Reform....they are the equivalent of religious fundamentalists who are blind to the cause.

Despite falling for the snake oil lies of Farage's Brexit and now seeing the reality of the leave vote, they want more of Farage and Reform.

Unfortunately, they may only see the light after the first year of a Reform govt, when the NHS gets privatised and workers rights are removed.

[tHEgLASSdOORS]

Not challenging ridiculous/untrue societal viewpoints just allows them to fester and grow. As a result, the US is accelerating towards an authoritarian regime whilst those who know better nevertheless sit on their hands.

But then you see the kind of grief Lineker and Neville get when they call our reality. The big Titty free speech babbies don’t like it and the hassle ends up not worth it

[Jacko]

Enter the meme:

[baggy1]

That would be relevant if the Conservatives hadn’t moved to the right since 2008 and had a further right wing leave to create a new party.

[Derek Hardballs]

It's rife PP, I have a number of friends that we enjoy a night out with that I cannot talk politics with because of this widespread belief that the immigrants are to blame for the state of the country, or people will die because of the WFA cut, or that they don't want immigrants in their local hotels and have stood outside waving flags to demonstrate their beliefs. There isn't any scope for a conversation any more because there are people both left and right that refuse to either listen or apply any logic. This morning alone, Dekka has called me a Tory for daring to say the country is skint and there is a problem with welfare costs spiralling.

…and you suggest I’m left wing for erm not supporting £5bn cuts to the most vulnerable without any real plan or consultation. At some point you’ll realise I’m still in the centre and you’ve moved right with the rest of the Labour front bench to the point where your opinion is indistinguishable from what would have been until recently centre right politics.

[tHEgLASSdOORS]

And if they could spell centre properly