Let me make it plain, I don't put you in that category.

There are though some, perhaps just a small number, who attitudes, and sometimes the links they provide, lead to the inescapable conclusion that "extreme-right" is the most accurate way to describe them.

They would, of course, deny it. No-one believes they are extreme, especially when there are views held by people even more extreme than them. Views that are borderline certifiable.

Hilarious. The old reclaiming gambit.

What about the anti Semitism? Are you trying to ignore that by any chance?

I would, you have already made a complete fool of yourself this week.

I think you have hit on what is a problem.

There is at least one poster here who believes that the views he expresses were mainstream "conservatism" just a few decades ago, and that the "extreme-right" then were much further to the right.

I don't believe that is remotely true. Mainstream "conservatism" for most of my life was centre-right. It had a social conscience and a heart. It occupied the middle ground and held power. Thatcher started the drift to the right, Major tried to steady the ship but when Blair stole the middle ground from them, out they went. When Labour lost their way again, Cameron moved back to the middle, partly because a coalition forced him to. Then came wishy-washy May and now the populist buffoon, Johnson.

The extreme-right of today, both here and in the USA from where many of their ideas originate, are on a completely different level to anything I have witnessed before. Even Powell, who many regard as a prophetic hero, was moderate by comparison.

So the problem is both perception and definition. No-one likes being described as an extremist. It has bad connotations. However, when views are expressed which are on the outer edge of that which is thought of as right, and when those who hold them start to disdain the major right-wing party, which is widely considered to be pretty hard-right itself, then using an "extreme" description seems appropriate.

Of course, there are some who are even more extreme. There always are, but that doesn't mean these people aren't either. Just not quite so extreme.

I certainly regard Powell as both a flawed hero and certainly a prophet. I put him up there as the best politician and certainly best leader the country never had. At one time he certainly had the voice of the majority and could have pushed for leadership but chose not to.

It can be noted that Powell was greatly admired both within his party and outside it. He had a strong mutual regard with Michael Foot throughout their parliamentary careers working together against the common market.

Among the politically notable of the time to attend his funeral service were Dennis Thatcher, John Major, Tony Benn, Michael Portillo, Alan Clark, the former speaker of the house of commons, Ann Widdecombe, John Biffen, Michael Mates, Alan Duncan, and David Trimble and a reasonably long list of lords.

I'm curious as to why you consider his ideas as moderate compared to those who you would call 'extreme' now.

Edited by Stirlingsays (19 Nov 2021 12.52am)

Does the picture, if genuine, not suggest that if he was called a P*** he accepted as banter from friends/teammates?