Is Donald Trump The American Nigel Farage?

[sp1814]

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/15/nigel-farage-i-share-concerns-with-donald-trump

God bless America for giving Donald and his opinions on Mexicans (bringing drugs, rape and crime to the U.S.) and John McCain, who is not a war hero apparently...coz he got captured.

Our boy Nigel is a bit of an amateur compared to Donnie, but do you see any confluence?

[Svejk]

You two really believe UKIP are a single policy party. You surprise me.

[SirOracle]

D Trump couldn't manage to out-think the Scots and has failed to build his new luxury hotel. He is now taking a flounce and moving his bullying tactics across the Irish sea to try his luck there.

And he thinks he is capable of becoming president of the USA. You have got to laugh.

[jim360]

Svejk -- five years is a long time in politics of course but at the moment UKIP's popularity seems to be somewhat lower than in the first few months of the year. Fallout from the infighting we've seen in the party lately?

The 2017 referendum may well prove a boost to Ukip whatever the result, though -- even a no vote wouldn't be fatal if it's close enough to galvanise the supporters of leaving the EU, who would surely fell somewhat betrayed by the Conservatives and we might see something similar to what happened to the SNP when they lost the referendum. On the other hand UKIP would have to sustain that for three years rather than just a few months.

But then you were talking up UKIP's prospects in 2015 and they ended up with fewer votes and seats than even I'd expected. Come 2020, and assuming UKIP has the best of things over the next five years, I still doubt we'd see them surging in quite the same fashion as the SNP did. I'd expect 30 seats to be an optimistic target given the challenges a party whose support is not really concentrated locally faces under FPTP.

[jno]

If we vote to leave the EU, then what would be the point of UKIP

if we leave the EU, how will all those Ukip Euro MPs live? By their principles, I suppose.

[Svejk]

Of course they should just keep riding the gravy train. They could become multi-millionaires like Labour Party yes men.

[Gromit]

Ironically, UKIP is mostly supported by the EU Taxpayer.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/may/24/mps-expenses-ukip-nigel-farage

The £millions their MEPs claim keeps the Party going. Leave the EU and lose those MEPs and the party is broke .

[Svejk]

As I say, would you prefer them to keep riding the gravy train.

[anotheoldgit]

What has Nigel Farage said that isn't perfectly true?

The Guardian chose to pick up on this;

/// Trump, who is running to be the Republican presidential candidate, attracted comparisons with Farage after causing controversy by suggesting that Mexican immigrants include rapists and that they bring drugs and crime to the US. ///

/// During the British election campaign, Farage was criticised for proposing a ban on immigrants with HIV entering the country. ///

What has proposing a ban on immigrants bringing in HIV to be treated on our overstretched NHS, got to do with Mexican immigrants include rapists bringing drugs and crime to the US?

[SirOracle]

The common denominator is that both "ideas" are barmy.

[anotheoldgit]

jim360

/// at the moment UKIP's popularity seems to be somewhat lower than in the first few months of the
year. ///

And can't the same be said for Labour and also the Lib/Dems?

If it wasn't for Labour's leadership battles, we would hear nothing at all about them.

[jim360]

Yes, true AOG, although the difference is that Labour's "not doing well" still means well over 200 MPs, goodness knows how many local councillors and a strong power base from which to recover; while the Lib Dems were in the coalition government before crashing. They, too, have (or had) some significant voter support and may be able to rebuild yet. UKIP however have fallen back (possibly) from a handful of MEPs/ councillors and one MP, and as yet haven't quite built up concentrated support. And they came out of the 2015 Election fairly well, really. A slump for UKIP is then that much more acute because they don't have much to slump from in the first place.

All the same, I would be surprised if UKIP don't have an important role to play in the coming years.

[sp1814]

Jordyboy9

If you are unwilling, or unable to debate - you more than welcome to ignore any thread I may post.