Reform UK discussion

[GusB]

The stuff about the RNLI is outrageously disgusting even for this mob. Disgraceful.

Agreed; the RNLI crews themselves are tasked by HMCG to conduct searches for and rescues of people in danger and they launch making no judgement whatsoever about the merits of those they go to. It matters not to the crews whether it is a professional mariner with an unforeseeable emergency, an individual making poor choices to go to sea in an unseaworthy craft or whilst under the influence of drink or other substances or threatening self-harm (sometimes on repeated occasions) in harbours or from piers or, indeed, people attempting long voyages without 'normal' documentation or maritime competence. Once a rescue is made, it is HMCG who determine the landing place for the casualties and co-ordinate with the other agencies accordingly. The RNLI crews are emphatically not facilitating illegal immigration, they are saving lives that have been determined to be at risk, End Of.

I couldn't agree more. It would seem that the attacks on the RNLI have been somewhat counter-productive, with donations increasing as a result.

RNLI fundraiser for 'Flying Farage' hovercraft jumps £5k after far-right attacks

EXCLUSIVE: After a far-right group confronted RNLI crews on Sunday night in Portsmouth, a wave of good-hearted Brits poured money into the charity once again, to counteract their attacks

www.mirror.co.uk

A satirical fundraiser for an RNLI 'Flying Farage' hovercraft has jumped by more than £5,000 in just two days, after far-right attacks on volunteers sparked a furious backlash.

The GoFundMe campaign, launched by Simon Harris - known as ManBehavingDadly on social media - has raised a staggering £336,000 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) since 2021. He started the fundraiser years ago, after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage brazenly branded the RNLI a "taxi service for illegal immigration".

It's been running for five years now, and donations suddenly spiked in the aftermath of vile attacks on volunteers. After a far-right group confronted RNLI crews on Sunday night in Portsmouth, a wave of good-hearted Brits poured money into the charity once again, to counteract their attacks. The total amount raised subsequently jumped from £331,000 on Sunday, to more than £336,000.

A similar thing happened a few years ago, too.

RNLI donations increase after migrant rescue criticism

The lifeboat charity says it has been "overwhelmed" by support after it released footage of Channel rescues.

www.bbc.co.uk

The RNLI says it has been "overwhelmed" by a "huge level of support" following accusations its work is assisting migrants.

The lifeboat charity received over £200,000 in donations in 24 hours after it posted rescue footage on social media.

The former UKIP leader, Nigel Farage, said it was being used as a "taxi service for illegal trafficking gangs".

Downing Street has praised its "vital work".

The charity said in the same 24 hour period there had been a 270% increase in people viewing volunteering opportunities on its website. It would normally receive up to £7,000 in daily donations.

It follows an outpouring of support after the head of the organisation spoke out on Wednesday about volunteers facing verbal abuse from members of the public for bringing migrants to safety.

The organisation has found itself in the spotlight as the number of people crossing the Channel has been rising, with this year's total already above the whole of 2020's, and June setting a new monthly record.

The RNLI is one of the charities that I'm happy to support. I live in a former fishing community and know people who have lost relatives at sea, so I'm acutely aware of the vital work that the organisation (along with HM Coastguard) does. I don't really think that its detractors really appreciate the danger that RNLI volunteers face when attempting to save lives - actual bravery as opposed to the cowardice exhibited by those who wear hoods and masks.

 

[edwin_m]

You'd think that if these people really cared about British fisherpeople they would support the charity that rescues them when they get into trouble.

Rather like how Farage was on the EU fisheries committee but barely ever showed up.

 

[DarloRich]

Agreed; the RNLI crews themselves are tasked by HMCG to conduct searches for and rescues of people in danger and they launch making no judgement whatsoever about the merits of those they go to. It matters not to the crews whether it is a professional mariner with an unforeseeable emergency, an individual making poor choices to go to sea in an unseaworthy craft or whilst under the influence of drink or other substances or threatening self-harm (sometimes on repeated occasions) in harbours or from piers or, indeed, people attempting long voyages without 'normal' documentation or maritime competence. Once a rescue is made, it is HMCG who determine the landing place for the casualties and co-ordinate with the other agencies accordingly. The RNLI crews are emphatically not facilitating illegal immigration, they are saving lives that have been determined to be at risk, End Of.

The RNLI is one of the charities that I'm happy to support. I live in a former fishing community and know people who have lost relatives at sea, so I'm acutely aware of the vital work that the organisation (along with HM Coastguard) does. I don't really think that its detractors really appreciate the danger that RNLI volunteers face when attempting to save lives - actual bravery as opposed to the cowardice exhibited by those who wear hoods and masks.

If you think the lifeboats are the enemy then you are lost!

It is just so utterly dense

 

[martin butler]

Unfortunately, it just shows how dense some of these people really are, I bet they don't live anywhere near coastal communities, who know only too well the perils these brave people encounter, every time they launch, I would love to see those idiots try to blockage Hasting's lifeboat, last time they tried locals outnumbered then 3 to one,

 

[Killingworth]

You'd think that if these people really cared about British fisherpeople they would support the charity that rescues them when they get into trouble.

Rather like how Farage was on the EU fisheries committee but barely ever showed up.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that Farage owns or owned a fishing boat, possibly used by his son along the Kent/Sussex coast.

 

[alex397]

I’m really struggling to understand how we have come to the point where so much hatred is being directed at an organisation such as the RNLI. It has really upset me actually and I can’t stop thinking about it. It makes as much sense as a hate campaign against the NSPCC or the Samaritans. What’s concerning, is that this hatred seems to be in the mainstream, not just amongst the usual fascists.

I worry about the volunteers. I’m not sure I’d be able to cope mentally if some thug published my name and address online, simply because I dared to risk my life to help others.
How many volunteers will think it’s just not worth the risk working for the RNLI if they are going to be subject to frightening face-to-face or online abuse?
Many of the fundraising volunteers you see outside of RNLI lifeboat stations are often quite young. How are they expected to deal with the potential far-right ‘patriot’ coming up to them with abuse? I’ve seen videos of ‘auditors’ with their pervert-glasses being very abusive to RNLI fundraisers.

The real traitors to this country are the patriots.

 

[Tetragon213]

The attacks on RNLI are a new low. They are brave men and women who go out in the most treacherous of seas to save life and limb. And the scum are targeting these brave men and women for... saving life and limb at sea?

I do sincerely hope that these so-called "patriots" never find themselves on a damaged boat and in need of RNLI's services...

 

[Harpo]

The real traitors to this country are the patriots.

Hopefully you’ll not mind an alternative…

The real patriots are those putting their lives on the line for absolutely everyone else.

 

[brad465]

I’m really struggling to understand how we have come to the point where so much hatred is being directed at an organisation such as the RNLI. It has really upset me actually and I can’t stop thinking about it. It makes as much sense as a hate campaign against the NSPCC or the Samaritans. What’s concerning, is that this hatred seems to be in the mainstream, not just amongst the usual fascists.

I worry about the volunteers. I’m not sure I’d be able to cope mentally if some thug published my name and address online, simply because I dared to risk my life to help others.
How many volunteers will think it’s just not worth the risk working for the RNLI if they are going to be subject to frightening face-to-face or online abuse?
Many of the fundraising volunteers you see outside of RNLI lifeboat stations are often quite young. How are they expected to deal with the potential far-right ‘patriot’ coming up to them with abuse? I’ve seen videos of ‘auditors’ with their pervert-glasses being very abusive to RNLI fundraisers.

The real traitors to this country are the patriots.

Social media has changed the game massively. It would be very hard for a mainstream news outlet to attack such an organisation and retain credibility; look what happened to The Sun in Liverpool post-Hillsborough. However on social media, you just need a few actors, or even just a bot army, to whip up hatred against a group like the RNLI, then have algorithms spread it far and wide, to have an impact.

 

[AlterEgo]

The attacks on RNLI are a new low.

Oh but they aren't. Farage has been at this for five years!

From summer 2021:

Donations to RNLI rise 3,000% after Farage’s migrant criticism

UK lifeboat charity raises £200,000 in single day after CEO hits out at Nigel Farage’s ‘taxi service’ claim

www.theguardian.com

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has raised more than £200,000 in a single day after defending its work rescuing migrants at risk of drowning in the Channel, while volunteering inquiries have almost quadrupled.

The RNLI said it had been inundated with donations and messages of support since its chief executive hit out at Nigel Farage’s claim that it was running a “migrant taxi service”.

In an interview with the Guardian, Mark Dowie, the chief executive of the RNLI, said it was the charity’s moral and legal duty to rescue migrants in danger in the sea, and that he was very proud of its humanitarian work.

 

[Tetragon213]

Oh but they aren't. Farage has been at this for five years!

From summer 2021:

Donations to RNLI rise 3,000% after Farage’s migrant criticism

UK lifeboat charity raises £200,000 in single day after CEO hits out at Nigel Farage’s ‘taxi service’ claim

www.theguardian.com

That is truly appalling.

If there is a silver lining, it is worth noting that RNLI have received a good amount of donations from the quiet majority appalled by the actions of the so-called "patriots".

 

[SuspectUsual]

I really find the misappropriation of the word “patriot” by far right racists utterly sickening

 

[Killingworth]

Oh but they aren't. Farage has been at this for five years!

From summer 2021:

Donations to RNLI rise 3,000% after Farage’s migrant criticism

UK lifeboat charity raises £200,000 in single day after CEO hits out at Nigel Farage’s ‘taxi service’ claim

www.theguardian.com

Oh but they aren't. Farage has been at this for five years!

From summer 2021:

Donations to RNLI rise 3,000% after Farage’s migrant criticism

UK lifeboat charity raises £200,000 in single day after CEO hits out at Nigel Farage’s ‘taxi service’ claim

www.theguardian.com

2021!

Other worthwhile voluntary bodies also experience such media attacks. The difficulty is that we live in a free country and anyone can support or oppose the National Trust, NSPCC, Oxfam, RSPB, Save the Children. It's when it gets to physical obstruction and personal abuse that it has to stop.

Reform/Restore will condemn it. Just like those wanting to see the end of the Community Charge (Poll Tax) did with the rioters. But there was an implication that "if you think we're bad just look at some who will go a lot further than us." Not usually said so clearly but the threat was there. It worked too! We had to go back to a flawed rates based system. The mob effectively won, combined with lots of civil disobedience by many refusing to pay the Poll Tax.

Most of us can see the current problem. Solving it is going to be difficult, but the RNLI shouldn't be put in the front line out in the Channel, or when they get back to a British port.

Withdraw all escorts both French and British and let a few boat loads drown? I can see that going down well, not!

 

[Ediswan]

I saw one vox pop claiming along the lines of the RNLI having been unable to attend other (more deserving) incidents due to transporting migrants. That struck me as complete fabrication.

 

[SuspectUsual]

I saw one vox pop claiming along the lines of the RNLI having been unable to attend other (more deserving) incidents due to transporting migrants. That struck me as complete fabrication.

Of course it is, but that’s irrelevant. These people want to read things like this and will happily believe it and publicise it

 

[alex397]

Hopefully you’ll not mind an alternative…

The real patriots are those putting their lives on the line for absolutely everyone else.

Yes that’s much better!

 

[D1511]

I do sincerely hope that these so-called "patriots" never find themselves on a damaged boat and in need of RNLI's services...

I actually hope that they do.....only to find there's no lifeboat because the crew have been intimidated out of volunteering.......resulting in their slow deaths by drowning.
That's what these 'patriots' deserve.

 

[35B]

I actually hope that they do.....only to find there's no lifeboat because the crew have been intimidated out of volunteering.......resulting in their slow deaths by drowning.
That's what these 'patriots' deserve.

No, they don’t - they deserve to be picked up and to see the effort that those volunteers go to.

We should show the “patriots” what good is, not drop to their level

 

[D1511]

No, they don’t - they deserve to be picked up and to see the effort that those volunteers go to.

We should show the “patriots” what good is, not drop to their level

I might agree with you, if I thought for a second that such an experience might change their view. But it wouldn't, so I'm afraid I don't.

 

[35B]

I might agree with you, if I thought for a second that such an experience might change their view. But it wouldn't, so I'm afraid I don't.

It's not about changing their view, nice as that would be - just avoiding being dragged down to their level

 

[Tetchytyke]

Social media has changed the game massively. It would be very hard for a mainstream news outlet to attack such an organisation and retain credibility; look what happened to The Sun in Liverpool post-Hillsborough. However on social media, you just need a few actors, or even just a bot army, to whip up hatred against a group like the RNLI, then have algorithms spread it far and wide, to have an impact.

I think the only good thing to come out of the last few days is that the proud patriots seem to have massively overplayed their hand. They were picketing the offices of *checks notes* the Daily Mail yesterday.

Balaclava-clad activists led by convicted criminal stage latest demo

The rabble-rouser, real name Daniel Thomas, organised protests that saw hundreds of masked men descend on Dover and Portsmouth over the weekend.

www.dailymail.com

Balaclava-clad anti-migrant activists led by convicted criminal 'Danny Tommo' staged their latest protest today outside the Daily Mail's office.

Thomas, the 37-year-old founder of Patriot Platform, was angered by the Mail's coverage of the protests and his family background.

He accused the Mail of ‘doxxing my mother’s address’, in a reference to publishing private information about someone without their permission.

But in fact the article about him only included the name of his company and the city where she lived.

In response, he summoned his followers to gather this afternoon outside the Mail's offices in Kensington, west London, where they were met by officers from the Metropolitan Police.

Dozens of protesters, dressed in their familiar black uniforms and with their faces covered, stood in formation outside the building's entrance.

Thomas walked up and down the street addressing the men, who responded with claps and cheers.

He describes his army of protesters as 'working-class men who are bricklayers, roofers and carpenters who build the house you live in, the roads you drive on'.

Yet, as the Mail revealed yesterday, his solidly middle-class upbringing appears to be very different from the men he claims to represent.

He attended a private school in Hampshire and his father Russell was a university-educated skiing enthusiast who retired to Brittany.

 

[JGurney]

I’m really struggling to understand how we have come to the point where so much hatred is being directed at an organisation such as the RNLI.

It's not wholly surprising, given the likely limited outlooks of the people involved. It probably has a lot of common roots with abuse of firefighters and paramedics.

- RNLI crews work closely alongside the police, fire service, coastguard, air-sea rescue and medical services when appropriate.

- They have equipment which looks special (the people we are talking about have never seen it in the shops and may well conclude it is not available to 'ordinary people'.

- They have a range of specialist skills (their critics probably have no idea how to handle any kind of boat, etc, and no idea how someone like themselves could learn how to).

- They get admired for their bravery and their physical and technical abilities (inspiring jealousy in those who feel they should have that).

Conclusion (in the minds of these critics): the RNLI are not ordinary people, they are part of 'Them', 'the Establishment', the enemy.

 

[TUC]

The problem with the RNLI's approach is that it appears that they are not simply rescuing from vessels which are clearly in distress. It appears to be that just the fact of them being an overloaded craft may be triggering rescues, in a way that it is questioned whether other countries would take the same approach. It is that which results in the RNLI being challenged.

 

[alex397]

The problem with the RNLI's approach is that it appears that they are not simply rescuing from vessels which are clearly in distress. It appears to be that just the fact of them being an overloaded craft may be triggering rescues, in a way that it is questioned whether other countries would take the same approach. It is that which results in the RNLI being challenged.

Well your comment just shows how misinformation can be very powerful.
How else do you think they should approach it? They don’t really have a choice.
An overloaded craft is very dangerous. It doesn’t matter if the people inside are in distress or not.

 

[TUC]

Well your comment just shows how misinformation can be very powerful.
How else do you think they should approach it? They don’t really have a choice.
An overloaded craft is very dangerous. It doesn’t matter if the people inside are in distress or not.

The problem is that feeds into the people traffickers' hands. All they need to do is ensure an overloaded craft and, bingo, welcome to the UK. That cannot be right.

 

[ainsworth74]

The problem with the RNLI's approach is that it appears that they are not simply rescuing from vessels which are clearly in distress. It appears to be that just the fact of them being an overloaded craft may be triggering rescues, in a way that it is questioned whether other countries would take the same approach. It is that which results in the RNLI being challenged.

Other countries appear to allow them to drown. I'm not happy that we have people crossing the Channel but I reckon we're better than just letting them drown.

 

[TUC]

Other countries appear to allow them to drown. I'm not happy that we have people crossing the Channel but I reckon we're better than just letting them drown.

We should take a similar approach to other Westetn countries. Otherwise, it does add to the impression of the UK being a soft touch.

 

[35B]

The problem is that feeds into the people traffickers' hands. All they need to do is ensure an overloaded craft and, bingo, welcome to the UK. That cannot be right.

Except it's not "bingo, welcome to the UK" but the start of a process that sees most sent back whence they've come.

The issue is not unique to the UK - Greece and Italy have both had to deal with influxes of people on boats. And our approach isn't that different.

 

[nlogax]

We should take a similar approach to other Westetn countries. Otherwise, it does add to the impression of the UK being a soft touch.

Yes, basic human empathy is far too generous. We obviously can't be doing that.

 

[TUC]

Yes, basic human empathy is far too generous. We obviously can't be doing that.

Are you sayjg other Western countries are unempathetic? It would seem strange to assume that the UK is uniquely virtuous

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Today at 13:56 ==

Except it's not "bingo, welcome to the UK" but the start of a process that sees most sent back whence they've come.

The data don't bear that out.

Around 9,700 people who arrived on small boats were returnedfrom the UK to another country between 2018 and June 2026. This represents 5% of the total number of small boat arrivals during this period. https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10590/