Farage's Schoolyard Antisemitism Is Not Just a Youthful Mistake – It's a Blueprint for His Politics | Jonathan Freedland

21 hours ago7 min read1 comments

The accounts of Nigel Farage's alleged teenage conduct are far more than ancient history; they reveal a formative pattern of prejudice with direct relevance to his current political trajectory. When dozens of former schoolmates consistently report witnessing him tell Jewish classmates that 'Hitler was right,' chant 'Gas 'em all,' and mimic the sound of gas chambers, this transcends mere schoolboy 'banter.' It constitutes a deep-seated bigotry. A full and unequivocal apology could have resolved this matter, but Farage's evasive non-denials demonstrate a telling refusal to confront this past, revealing both his political strategy and his moral failings.This episode is not an isolated relic. It connects ominously to his present-day alliances, especially his embrace of powerful figures in the American Maga movement who actively promote antisemitic conspiracy theories.The through-line is stark: the bigotry allegedly displayed in his youth appears to have evolved, not dissipated, finding a comfortable home in the far-right circles he now inhabits. This pattern echoes historical demagogues who rose by exploiting social divisions, forcing urgent questions about the normalisation of hate in our contemporary political landscape.By failing to account for this history, we create a dangerous permission structure, signalling that such views are not a barrier to power. The core issue for political observers is the long-term damage to public trust, social cohesion, and democratic integrity when leaders with such alleged backgrounds evade rigorous accountability.

#Nigel Farage

#antisemitism

#Reform UK

#political scandal

#school allegations

#US MAGA

#featured