Perhaps so. But it would interesting to know the stats on volumes. It feels like there are a hell of a lot on these types of topic.

I put it down to the number of people that have moved out from Croydon and are scared to leave their semi-rural enclaves for the mean streets. They don't see life as it is lived by most of us, just what the sensationalist Press chooses to push.

It's for this reason I have retired from this section of the HOL, but as this comment deserves my support I will make an exception. It's the same small group of posters banging the same old tired drums. They are not, in my opinion, representative of the general sentiment held by the people in the UK as a whole, although I am only too aware that there is a vocal minority who think as they do. Brexit, the election of Trump and the rise of popularism generally has given them the confidence to express themselves more openly.

I hope it is just a temporary phenomenon and they will again retire to the shadows. Of course such voices need to be heard but for them to dominate anywhere makes me feel very nervous for the future direction of civilised, progressive societies everywhere.

As, in my experience, there is no reasoning with such people the only way to handle them is to out vote them, using the long established methods embedded in our democratic system. Which, by the way, does not include referendums or threads on social media platforms.

Edited by Wisbech Eagle (13 Feb 2019 12.27pm)

No its not a hot topic

When I check the daily news it isnt, unless its sensationalised tabloid news story to shift papers

And immigration isn't even 5% of what Brexit is about its made into a political issue and put at the top of the news agenda to sway voting because its an emotive subject.

Question is whether you're easily manipulated or can see through it and judge things objectively

I'd wager Wisbech is primarily a White neighbourhood?

I recommend you look at the crime statistics in detail, as I have done.

Overall Croydon is nothing special. Some of it has exceptionally low crime rates.

Can't say I am a fan of Thornton Heath, Selhurst or Broad Green at night.

You have been so far away from home for so long you have forgotten how to spell it.

Edited by Mapletree (13 Feb 2019 1.33pm)

If you really think that the "17 million" all hold views about the EU, let alone about the other right wing causes, similar to those being offered by the group on here, then you are deluded.

From all I can detect most of them were led to their decision by a combination of lies, ignorance of the detail and the usual political motivation that "anything must be better than this". Change is always attractive, which fades when the change becomes a reality.

I know many people who thought we would do better by leaving because it would ensure jobs for them and their families and money for the NHS but are very much middle of the road politically, think Trump is a disaster and "Tommy Robinson" a parasite.

Debating with such people is a pleasure, because they have minds open to well reasoned argument. Not so the hardliners, where insult is a normal retort. They are very much a fringe community, albeit well represented here.