Brexit: The Movie (Review)

Six weeks to go, and this will all be over (I promise!)

From the film-maker who told you that breast implant concerns were overstated and, on repeated ocassions tried to prove that climate change is a myth, Martin Durkin presents "Brexit: The Movie".

The film, which runs for about 70mins, was funded by £100k worth of contributions through crowd-funding. The film features the darlings of British Euroscepticism, who join forces for an hour-and-a-bit campaign of disinformation about the European Union.

Here are some of the big guns that were asked to give a penny for their thoughts, and ended up giving a bucket load of pennies worth: Nigel Farage, Melanie Phillips, Kelvin MacKenzie, Nigel Lawson, James Delingpole and Janet Daley, to name a few.

Let's look at some of the zingers and bones of contention.

1.) The film uses ignorance as an excuse

Photo by Mats Halldin / CC BY

The film makes its first error, showing Martin Durkin stepping into a Brussels taxi. In his best French, he makes the most cringe-worthy request imaginable: "The EU...s'il vous plait".

The driver looks back at him, as if he's just insulted his whole family. No surprise really. It's a bit like hopping into a black cab after landing in the UK, and asking the driver to take you to the Anglosphere.

The segment then wastes a few seconds making a point about the seemingly endless number of fancy buildings and important-sounding jobs held by people in Brussels and elsewhere.

Vox pops then get sprung upon us. UK and Brussels residents are shown an array of faces (e.g. Martin Schultz) and have no idea who the people are. The scenes are supposed to leave us with the impression that, if we don't know who our MEPs are, it's not worth looking them up, because they're either powerless, suspicious, or shouldn't be trusted.

Ask any Brit if they recognised an array of pictures of current MPs in the UK Parliament, and they probably wouldn't have a clue either. You don't see people suggesting we abolish parliamentary democracy as a result though. In the Internet age, there's far less of an excuse for people to be clueless, you could argue. If you feel so frustrated about not knowing who your MEP is, it's fair to say, just Google it, instead of getting all hot and bothered.

In a previous post on this site, a vox pop was used to write an article, but if you know anything about sample sizes, vox pops aren't actually useful gauges of public opinion as you might think. If you only chat to less than 50 people, it's estimated the margin of error can be as high as 15% or more. Not the kind of margin you'd want, for an issue like the referendum.

2.) The Sun has epically fallen out of love with David Cameron

Photo by Duncan Hull / CC BY

The Sun basks in the privilege of being one of the most-read papers in the country. Physical sales have collapsed, but it still finds its ways to lure readers in.

Liverpool has boycotted the Sun, ever since its shameful coverage of the Hillsborough disaster of 1989. In some circles, the paper is political radioactive waste. One of Ed Miliband's biggest gaffes as Labour leader was to hold up a copy of the paper for a photo-shoot, grinning ear to ear.

The paper has gained the reputation of picking sides in the run-up to general elections. This started in earnest with Mrs Thatcher in the 1970s, and the paper remained loyal to the Conservatives...until it wasn't. It performed a switcheroo in the 1990s to New Labour under Tony Blair, but then did an about turn, back to David Cameron's supposed de-toxified Conservative Party.

However, it seems that the Sun's editor, Kelvin MacKenzie has fallen out of love with the Prime Minister, big time. In a segment for the film, he tears into Mr Cameron:

"Toff...tries to hide it, probably quite a nasty piece of work"

Tell us how you really feel, Mr MacKenzie!

3.) The film goes all Tea Party, and brings up the Magna Carta

Photo by Jappalang / CC BY

The film helpfully points out a game-changing moment in English history: last year was the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, or Great Charter.

The film paints it as a triumpant moment, where the English people managed to rise up and demand the right to demand how much they should be taxed, and how it should be spent. The whole issue is then spun, in a way that makes it seem as if the EU is corrupt, because we supposedly have no say over the money.

First, it's important to point out that, for all the glitz of name dropping the document, the Magna Carta still failed to end the system of serfdom, one of the most egregious abuses of working people in Medieval England. It was only following the Black Death, where half the population perished, that labourers began to wield more power over their labour, and even dared to withdraw it and take it elsewhere, in the search for a better standard of living.

Labour following the Black Death was so scarce, and because wages were more closely based on the supply of labour, a huge drop in the workforce corresponded to a huge rise in wage growth, more than serfdom would have ever hoped to achieve. Second, not to belittle the document, but writings by JC Holt point to the fact that, by 1350, about half the clauses in the Magna Carta had been succeeded by more relevant laws of the day. That stems from the fact that times changed. The document became inflexible in various ways.

It's easy to see why Martin Durkin brought it up. Tea Party-types in the US use the US constitution as the totem of their faith, but Britain doesn't have a codified constitution. The Magna Carta serves as a romantic, sweet little reminder of Medieval English history. The problem is just that, though: it's Medieval.

4.) The film skims through the post-war era, when the European Project began

The European Coal and Steel Community, omitted from "Brexit: The Movie"

Photo by JLogan / CC BY

About a quarter of the way through, the film looks back at Britain at the height of the Industrial Revolution, exporting its way to prosperity. Then it takes a darker turn, with the two world wars. The state imposing itself over the course of this period becomes the next big issue.

A contrast is made with post-war Germany, which was used to show how less regulation helped it outpace Britain, and enjoy a post-war boom. The film makes the mistake of not reminding viewers about the birth of the European project, namely the European Steel and Coal Community, which Germany and other countries were part of, but not Britain.

Instead, the film skims through from 1945 straight to 1973, when Britain joined the EEC. In doing so, the film has conveniently avoided having to include the fact that the European Project was instrumental in ensuring a lasting economic recovery on the continent. The film treats Germany's boom as if it was caused by a sprinkle of deregulation and little else.

5.) The European Project is dismissed as a snobbish, artsy fad

Photo by Spicymystery / CC BY

Noted climate change sceptic and conservative writer James Delingpole sneers at the idea of the EU, saying:

"There's a tremendous snobbery built into the whole project, the idea that you are part of the elite, which should decide how the little people live their lives"

James Delingpole, it should be noted, is guilty of preaching to the masses, having authored a book titled "Watermelons: How Environmentalists are Killing the Planet, Destroying the Economy and Stealing Your Childrens' Future". For such a dramatic title, you'd expect anyone who tries to write about climate change to have at least some understanding of the science backing it up.

However, Mr Delingpole openly admitted:

“I feel a bit of an imposter talking about the science. I'm not a scientist, you may be aware"

Kelvin MacKenzie is then shown, and heard saying:

"These people up here, the intellectuals...are looking down on the plebs, and saying, 'you're not bright enough to decide the future of your country'"

This quote is frankly astonishing, coming from the editor of a newspaper, which has a column called "The Sun Says", where the reader is practically told what to think.

6.) The film depicts lazy and racist stereotypes

Photo by Lobo / CC BY

The film continues to go on about regulation in present day. One scene depicts two alpha male European men in a factory wearing vests. Instead of working, one of them is flirting with a woman, and the other is getting all vexed. Europe is being depicted as work-shy and uncompetitive.

Then the scene shifts to an Asian factory somewhere. Two oriental men are shown with clipboards, looking studiously at a childishly easy maths sum. Durkin exclaims about one of them:

"Look how good he is at maths!"

(Bangs head repeatedly against a wall)

For good measure, the film even depicts a Frenchman, complete with stripy shirt, beret, a ring of garlic round his neck, a baguette and a bottle of wine nearby.

7.) Switzerland is shown as a model for a post-Brexit scenario

Photo by Mei Burgin / CC BY

Towards the end of the film, Martin Durkin travels to Switzerland, and gets told by all his interviewees how free the Swiss feel with trade deals, despite not being in the EU.

It's just a shame Martin Durkin forgot to mention that Roberto Balzaretti the Swiss ambassador to the EU was quoted back in March as having said:

“What they should know is the situation of Switzerland. Being a member state is much more comfortable"

So there you have it; a run-down of some of the clangers in Martin Durkin's "Brexit: The Movie". Somehow, you get the feeling there won't be a sequel.

Sadiq Khan elected London Mayor

In the fifth London Mayoral election, voters chose Sadiq Khan over his rival, Zac Goldsmith, by over 300k votes.

As local election, Welsh/Irish assembly and Scottish Parliament results trickled on 6th May, London's 2016 Mayoral candidates waited with trepidation. 

It was reported that a computer glitch was to blame for a last minute delay for the declaration. It took until about half past midnight for the final results to come through, and they were impressive, in many ways.

Turnout at the 2016 contest was at a record high of 45.3%, on par with 2008. However, given the growth in London's population since then, the total quantity of votes cast is at an all time high.

In the first round, Mr Khan clinched over 1m votes, with Zac Goldsmith trailing with roughly 900k. For months, the polls had given Mr Khan a sizeable lead over his rival, and the final result proved not too dissimilar from the Opinium poll quoted in the previous Left Handed Dude post on the race.

In a very telling move, ex-Conservative Party chair Sayeeda Warsi tweeted the following, as the final declaration countdown began:

It is important for the Conservative Party to take note of this message, or it may struggle to regain the Mayoralty in the future. London is an ethnically diverse chunk of the UK, and is representative of a more socially liberal future for British politics in general. 

So-called dog-whistle tactics of the kind employed during Mr Goldsmith's campaign may have worked in the 1970s, when Britain was a more homogenous place, ethnically and socially. However, times have changed. 

The population has grown, and the age of social media means that it was far easier for Mr Goldsmith's critics to denounce his views and disseminate their disgust, it could be argued.

The Greens powered into third place with 150k votes, closely followed by the Lib Dems on 120k. Both parties managed to actually improve their respective vote shares respectively, compared to 2012.

One of the differences with last time was the lack of a major independent candidate, to follow in Siobahn Benita's footsteps. In 2012, she received over 80k votes.

This year's independent, Prince Zylinski, an eccentric West London resident who owns a lavish mansion, came the second from last, with 13k votes. He famously rose to prominence in 2014, by challenging Nigel Farage to a sword fight.

UKIP candidate Peter Whittle grew his party's vote share this time round, but still failed to garner 100k votes, settling for 94k in first round votes instead. The BNP saw its voter base halve, and its candidate was notably absent from the declaration.

Also absent from the stage was Respect Party candidate George Galloway; he mustered 37k votes in first round votes, narrowly ahead of Britain First candidate Paul Golding. This time four years ago, Mr Galloway was newly-elected MP for Bradford West, boasting of a "Bradford Spring", endorsing ex-Mayor Ken Livingstone for the 2012 race.

Four years on, Mr Galloway finds himself without a constituency to represent, having lost it in the 2015 election, but still has a job as a presenter for an RT programme, Sputnik, to fall back on. Mr Galloway had dropped hints about possibly running for Respect in Sadiq Khan's Tooting constituency, in the event of Labour winning the Mayoralty.

Mr Galloway took to Twitter over the ensuing hours, criticising the mainstream media for a supposed blackout of his performance. He claimed as many as 100k votes had been cast for him, by including second preferences. It must be noted however that his second preferences aren't really applicable, given how far down the results table he came.

One of the major moments of Mr Khan's inaugural speech as Britain First candidate Paul Golding's controversial decision to face his back to Mr Khan, as he spoke. Some observers on social media wrongly identified him as the BNP candidate initially.

On Twitter, some made light of the act, mocking Paul Golding. User Joe Cox tweeted:

On a lighter note, Katie Hopkins has attracted much unwanted media attention, thanks to a pre-election tweet she made:

Charming as always!

Countdown to Mayoral Election 2016

Labour Mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan remains firmly in the lead, against Conservative rival Zac Goldsmith, two days before election day, says poll.

Photo by Peter Adams

It was supposed to be easy. When Zac Goldsmith became the Conservative candidate for London Mayor in October 2015, he was probably hoping some of his predecessor's supposed golden touch would rub off on him.

Mr Goldsmith's Mayoral campaign is now stuck with the moniker "dog-whistle politics", following statements about Mr Khan, such as the fact that he was allegedly "playing the race card".

The campaign received fresh criticism following the printing of a Zac Goldsmith-penned article in the Mail on Sunday. The headline read:

"On Thursday, are we really going to hand the world's greatest city to a Labour Party that thinks terrorists are its friends?".

The article carried an image of the wreckage of the Tavistock Square bus, which was one of the targets of the 7/7 Attacks in July 2005. As a sign of how poorly perceived the article was, ex-Conservative Party Chair Sayeeda Warsi took to Twitter to say:

Source: @SayeedaWarsi (Twitter)

Two days before election day, Mr Goldsmith remains 9 points behind Sadiq Khan in first preferences, a new Opinium poll suggests. In the second round, where the two would go head-to-head, Mr Khan's lead extends to 14 points over Mr Goldsmith.

The race is, on the face of it, a two-horse race. The remaining candidates are somewhat obscure, some might say. Here's a look at the field of other party candidates.

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat candidate

The Liberal Democrat candidate Caroline Pidgeon remains confident that her campaign will make progress, despite the fact that she remain stuck at an average poll share of about 5% of respondents. Early in the year, her press team emailed Left Handed Dude to say that her campaign was:

"getting a very positive response...People are keen to hear about my plans, particularly my ideas about how to deliver the extra homes London needs, a fairer fares regime on TfL's Tube and rail services and how we tackle the cost of childcare in the capital".

Sian Berry, Green Party Candidate

Green candidate Sian Berry is marking her second attempt to become Mayor, after her 2008 bid. Her campaign has made effective use of billboards, one of which is on display near Ealing Common Tube Station, albeit tucked away from the high street somewhat. Her poll rating is roughly 4% at present.

In an election campaign film, Berry rattles off her party's list of proposals, as she walks through the streets of the city. Berry highlights how the Generation Rent group has rated her campaign highly, for proposing a renters' union to stick up for private renters, in order to tackle the issue of soaring rents in the capital.

Peter Whittle, UKIP Candidate

Openly gay UKIP candidate Mr Whittle shares Mr Goldsmith's support for a Brexit on 23rd June, and he has tried to diversify his party's message in the capital. He made waves in back in February, when he claimed "white, middle-class liberals" are the "most hostile, close-minded group", but his poll ratings remain stuck at much the same level as the Greens and Lib Dems, at about 5%. He has focused on social housing, making the following pledge:

" I would give priority to Londoners on social housing if you have lived in a London bourough for 5 years".

George Galloway, Respect Party Candidate

Perhaps one of the more controversial candidates, ex-MP George Galloway has been campaigning to become London's first Respect Party Mayor. However, his campaign has failed to make much of an impact since he announced his intention to run, in May 2015. His poll ratings have failed to budge over 2% consistently. 

In a move which indicates his candidacy is more of a stepping stone towards other projects, Mr Galloway has claimed he will try to run as the Respect candidate in Tooting, if a by-electon is called, in the event of Mr Khan winning the Mayoralty.

The Respect brand is struggling at present. Its membership base is estimated at just over 600 members as of 2014, and it was alleged that one-time Respect leader Salma Yaqoob made a failed attempt to join the Labour Party last year. To compound the sense of discontent, the Spectator claimed Respect had assets totalling under just £2k. When considering Respect, it's perhaps best to view it as a personal vehicle for George Galloway, as opposed to a fully fledged party.

Mr Galloway tweeted the following message as part of his online campaign in February:

"Elect a leader that will fight for all not just those dripping in GOLD".

The tweet drew ridicule from a small group of tweeters, including user Marc Blanc, who wondered: "Is 'dripping in gold' a euphemism for something now? I didn't attend the meeting".

Writer Jeremy Duns teased the tweet later that day, saying: "Rappers have rights, too, George".

Ignoring the polls, what ever the final results are, the 2016 Mayoral election will have a serious impact on the current political environment. A Labour victory will be used by Corbyn allies to show support for the party's new direction is vindicated. Moderates might argue however that Mr Khan might win in spite of Mr Corbyn, not thanks to him. Failure to win will be a blow to Mr Goldsmith and the Conservatives, bringing an end to major election victories over Labour since 2008.

If Mr Goldsmith wins, the Eurosceptic wing of the Conservative Party will feel emboldened, and will compound the sense of victory for the party as a whole, if the government makes gains in local elections throughout the country. Losing to Mr Goldsmith will be seen as a huge blow to confidence in Jeremy Corbyn's position, some might say. If Labour can't get back the Mayoralty, it might be a sign of the party being poorly placed to regain Number 10 in 2020.

Two days to go till voting day itself. If you plan to vote in the London Mayoral election, remember to place your preferences on the lilac ballot paper, and rank your favoured candidates in order of preference. Remember to check the orange ballot paper, to help elect members to the London Assembly.

At present, Labour holds 12 seats on the Assembly, with the Conservatives on 9 seats, plus the Lib Dems and Greens both holding 2 seats respectively.