Farage’s fish farrago: Nasty shock for Nigel as protest sinks into farce

Last Updated: March 22, 2018By

Fishy: Why did nobody think of grabbing a haddock out of Nigel Farage’s hands and slapping him in the face with it? Then we really would have been in Monty Python territory.

Once upon a time, Nigel Farage knew he could make a big impact with a well-publicised – and televised – stunt.

Now, not so much.

Yesterday (March 21), Nigel Farage dumped a box full of haddock into the Thames to signify the way the Tory government’s Brexit deal with the EU will harm the UK’s fishing industry, as some fish must be discarded to meet quota rules…

… and was ridiculed…

https://twitter.com/KeithCameron5/status/976531936830263298

… and was reported to Westminster Council for fly-tipping.

Worst of all, Mr Farage gave his critics a chance to point out that he himself was on the European Parliament’s fisheries committee and could have made a difference – but he didn’t bother showing up, attending only one meeting out of 42 over a three-year period.

And he was compared (unfavourably) with celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall – whose ‘Fish Fight’ actually did make a difference – unlike Mr Farage’s silly stunt.

https://twitter.com/Angry_Voice/status/976434611176787970

It could have been worse.

Amid all the humiliation heaped on Mr Farage, at least he could take comfort from one fact:

He isn’t Jacob Rees-Mogg!

Let’s let the Evening Standard explain:

A protest by Brexiteers over fishing policy descended into farce today as high-profile Eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg was blocked from boarding a trawler on the Thames.

The protest was hit by farcical scenes when a harbourmaster prevented the boat from docking at several piers – meaning Mr Rees-Mogg, who championed the protest – could not board.

Transport for London officials stopped several Tory MPs, including Mr Rees-Mogg, boarding the trawler at Embankment and Westminster piers because of a licensing problem.

A TfL spokeswoman said: “It’s a standard procedure which we have that you have to book in advance to dock. This is to allow commuters to use regular riverboat services. You can book online on the TfL website.”

Mr Rees-Mogg then fled the protest.

Tory MPs Jacob Rees-Mogg, Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Craig Mackinlay gave a short press conference alongside the Fishing for Leave campaigners who organised the stunt but disappeared before Mr Farage[‘s] arrival.

If Farage thought he came in for a battering (sorry), it turned out to be nothing compared to what Mr Rees-Mogg caught:

https://twitter.com/ShehabKhan/status/976395662601400321

It was his own fault.

Mr Rees-Mogg belongs to a tiny minority whose members think they can do whatever they like, whenever and wherever they like, without ever having to seek permission for it. He’s a Tory.

Today, he discovered he thought wrong.

But you can guarantee he won’t learn from his mistake – they never do.


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6 Comments

  1. aunty1960 March 22, 2018 at 8:10 am - Reply

    I dont know why you are picking on him for this, it is personal spiteful and petty

    Farage and others have been pointing out for years the unfairness of the EU fisheries policy

    When the EU banned Scotish fishing fleets from fishing in the North Seas and ordered them to stay at home, but said anyone else could fish in the North Seas and also ordered they Scottish fishing towns that they had to land and process the catch of foreign fishing vessels while not being able to fish and make a living themselves WHERE WERE YOU?

    And when the Scottish fishing fleets were and have been put at risk of extinction because of EU fishing policies and ordered to throw back perfectly good fish WHERE WERE YOU?

    Oh Yes the rest of Britain said the Scottish fishermen were embarrasing little nobody plebs

    And EU fishing policies have devastated the little Hastings fishing fleet cannot make a living, not allowed to go out, have to dump good fish, fishermen having to live on littlest benefits WHERE WERE YOU?

    Yea they look “cute” that is what lower hard working risk your life people are to the rest. cute social species and every politician and celebrity wants a photo at side of the fishermen, meanwhile they are living a hand to mouth pittance existence..

    I have no problem with Farage making a statement. You are more bothered about making a point against Farage than the fishermen or fishing policy.

    But then I am used to people’s like you “concern” being just vacuous air. Its not really there. A Chattering Class Act.

    Cheap point scoring, protest about the EU fishing policy, not Farage pointing out it is not fair and never has been to British fishermen and their families. British fishermen’s families have had to have free school meals for most their lives, or do you not notice that.

    • Mike Sivier April 22, 2018 at 6:53 pm - Reply

      I didn’t pick on Mr Farage; he set himself up as a target because he used to be on the EU’s Fisheries committee and attended only once, making no useful contribution. If EU fisheries policy has let us down, then it is partly because of Nigel Farage.

      Your questions are therefore best applied to Mr Farage. Where was HE when all these things were going on?

  2. Barry March 22, 2018 at 8:18 am - Reply

    Well it worked because it highlighted the governments dreadful position on the fishing industry and got people talking about, even the most negative Farage is an ass stories mean that people have been made aware.

  3. NMac March 22, 2018 at 9:24 am - Reply

    Farage should be prosecuted for deliberately polluting the river, but being shown up as the cheap ineffective, but nasty clown he is, must be enough for now.

  4. Growing Flame March 22, 2018 at 9:52 am - Reply

    Excellent article and contributions. But I first saw this when briefly watching the TV news and there was nothing about Farage’s failure to turn up to relevant EU meetings. I just saw a film about Farage taking the side of beleaguered fishermen and speaking up for them. So I fear that my own fleeting impression (“Good old Nigel speaking up for plucky fisherfolk against national betrayal”) is the main story as far as millions of voters are concerned. I’m encouraged by the growth of online media and the decline of print but the TV still deals in superficial ways with complex issues.

  5. Pat Sheehan March 22, 2018 at 10:46 pm - Reply

    Isn’t there a circus somewhere that would take these rogue clowns for a few seasons? Or forever!

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