Farage's School Antisemitism Row Is Not Ancient History – It's a Blueprint for His Politics | Jonathan Freedland

14 hours ago7 min read

The recent allegations concerning Nigel Farage's school years are far more than a historical footnote; they form a critical piece of the puzzle in understanding his political identity. Farage had a clear off-ramp to contain this story—a simple, conditional apology recognising the seriousness of the claims would have likely drawn a line under the affair.His conscious decision not to offer one is a strategic move, revealing much about the political factions he now champions. This episode is not an anomaly but a consistent thread, connecting his past behaviour to his current position of significant influence.Observe his subsequent political alliances, particularly his embrace of MAGA figures in the United States who have themselves peddled antisemitic tropes. This alignment is deeply concerning, indicating that such rhetoric is not an abandoned juvenile error but a permissible and even useful component within the modern populist right.The mainstreaming of this language, shifting it from the extremist fringe to the centre of political debate, marks a dangerous transformation. It recalls historical patterns where venomous speech, if left unchallenged, has escalated into more overt and perilous prejudice.The calculated refusal to apologise, the deflections, and the camaraderie with those who share such views are all indicators within a larger political analysis. Experts would view this not merely as a personal flaw, but as evidence of a wider institutional erosion where traditional barriers against hate speech are being deliberately weakened.The real-world impact is severe, corroding social cohesion, public trust, and the health of our democratic systems. When a leading political figure's past and present show a persistent pattern of affinity with antisemitic undercurrents, it fosters a permissive climate that emboldens extremists.This is a struggle for the soul of contemporary conservatism, testing its ability to cleanse itself of such toxic influences or risk being permanently defined by them. The story of Farage's youth matters precisely because it is the prologue; it provides the essential context for his political evolution and the alarming trajectory of the movements he now leads.

#Nigel Farage

#antisemitism

#Reform UK

#political scandal

#school allegations

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