Imperial Fruit: Bananas, Costs and Climate Change

The curved course of the ubiquitous banana has often been the peel…

The problems with a principled stand

In the past couple of weeks, the conservative parties have retained government…

Government approves Santos Barossa pipeline and sea dumping

The Australia Institute Media Release   Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s Department has approved a…

If The Jackboots Actually Fit …

By Jane Salmon   If The Jackboots Actually Fit … Why Does Labor Keep…

Distinctions Without Difference: The Security Council on Gaza…

The UN Security Council presents one of the great contradictions of power…

How the supermarkets lost their way in Oz

By Callen Sorensen Karklis   Many Australians are heard saying that they’re feeling the…

Purgatorial Torments: Assange and the UK High Court

What is it about British justice that has a certain rankness to…

Why A Punch In The Face May Be…

Now I'm not one who believes in violence as a solution to…

«
»
Facebook

Nigel Farage and the Anglo-American Dream

By Hungry Charley   

English-speaking people have a shared history, heritage, culture in common. It was shameful that we turned our backs on Australia. We now need to build the alliance, in terms of military, trade, security and culture” (Nigel Farage to Sky News Outsiders program 11th August 2019).

The first Australian CPAC came and went just a couple of weeks ago, and well, nothing much took the attention of the Australian media apart from some coverage of comments by Labor Senator Kristina Keneally. As reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, it was pretty mild, a “mixture of political civility and conservative rhetoric,” though Nigel Farage did a naughty and called Malcolm Turnbull a ‘snake’.

The CPAC event was attended by about 500 people, what the organisers had moderately aimed at, bringing together notable neo-cons from the UK, US and Australia for the first of many such events, according to the organisers. While topics of conversation were not identified prior to the event and media were not permitted to record the proceedings, the first day was mix of Australian conservative culture wars mixed with pleas for a ‘better political discourse’, particularly from former deputy prime minister, and all round reasonable guy, John Anderson.

Tony Abbott’s topics d’jour were the issues of legal abortion in NSW and voluntary euthanasia in Victoria, calling them, “death on demand” and claiming Australian should read the Bible more. He claimed the recent LNP win in the federal was due to a ‘pragmatic’ ideology while at the same time being less ‘ideological’ than their Labor opponents.

Sounds clear? It goes something like this. The coalition won the election he claimed, because they were not obsessed with Labor’s ‘ideological agenda’ on tax, climate, unions, and ‘big government’. He seems to think the Coalition won because they supported support smaller government, lower taxes and did not have an obsession with climate issues. He also claimed that the Coalition was not obsessed with gender and identity, which probably explains their strenuous efforts to thwart gay marriage recently. Of course, above all, it was the right leaning people in this country who were the real patriots, or the ‘quiet Australians’.

Reporters though agreed, “It was the Americans who brought the aggro” on the first day. Particularly through the persons of ‘Judge’ Jeanine Pirro, a Trump fan and former prosecutor, notable Fox News fixture and gun lobbyist, who threw some ‘red meat’ out to audience to fire them up. She was preceded by the American congressman Mark Meadows and the American Conservative Union’s Matt Schlapp, who in conjunction with LibertyWorks here in Australia, had organised the event. Both were relatively mild in demeanour though made a joke at Kristina Keneally’s expense, prompting some audience chanting. Keneally was also attacked by British commentator Mr Kassam during a predictable anti-Islamic rant.

The big moment of the conference however, though little reported in the mainstream media in Australia, was UK Brexit Party leader, Nigel Farage on the second day. Like a snake-oil salesman with a heavy dose of American evangelical zeal, Farage took the stage with the key message that the broad conservative movement he represents was rising around the world. It was a ‘nationist’ worldview, not ‘nationalist’, though he has used this word in the past, he painted the world poised in a struggle between nations and globalism. Nigel said a lot of things in his 20 minute address, including wishing to draw on the ‘success’ of the American approach to rising conservatism, “What is happening in America … the shock result you saw here in Australia, the fact is we are winning.” He also told Boris Johnson he had to ‘deliver or die’ on Brexit.

But who is Nigel Farage and how important are these views? A better idea of the vision Farage brings to the world stage are evident in two interviews he did straight after the CPAC event to Sky News Australia’s Outsiders program and to Jeanne Pirro on Fox News on August 11th. More recent global events since the conference have shown his predictions to be uncomfortably accurate.

Farage was founder of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), whose primary objectives it seems were to reduce immigration and to move from a common market with the European Union (EU) and to make the UK ‘independent and free’.

Now as leader of the Brexit Party, the old UKIP policies are coming closer to fruition, with Farage now seeing the time for the UK to reset the agenda in terms of its international relations and domestic priorities. Importantly, he sees himself as an crucial link between the UK and the US administration.

Use of the term ‘bridge’ is coincidentally the name given to the previous attempt to form greater cross Atlantic economic and defence association, the ‘Atlantic Bridge’. In the late 2000s, former defence minister Liam Fox and others to attempted to escalate the influence of the organisation known as the ‘Atlantic Bridge’, in UK defence and economic policy, a move which critics claimed was an attempt to undermine the democratic processes of the UK. Mr Fox is now a member of the current UK administration and is still pushing for a closer economic relationship with the US.

The stated goal of the Atlantic Bridge was to protect the US and the UK’s military and cultural ‘special relationship’ from “the European integrationists who would like to pull Britain away from its relationship with the United States.” The Atlantic Bridge fell over in late 2011, after investigations found Fox had been constructing a “shadow foreign policy” using corporate lobbyists and military contractors with dark (untraceable) money via a falsely labelled charity.

At this time, following the decline of UKIP, Farage was forging strong ties across the Atlantic. Steve Bannon met with Farage in the US 2012, due to supposed shared common interests, with his firm Cambridge Analytica. This firm primarily handles massive databases on the public for military psychological research and lobbying and brought Facebook into disrepute during the recent US election with the disclosure of its data mining operations. Nonetheless at the time, it was and still is a valuable for tool for world domination.

The growing relationship between Bannon, Trump and Farage had brought the emerging Brexit team and the US administration much closer together, in many ways the objectives of the Atlantic Bridge are much closer to fruition with the new Farage lead Brexit team. The ongoing relationships between the UKIP, Atlantic Bridge and Brexit teams on both sides of the Atlantic is explored more fully in a good article in the Medium.

The Brexit Party is a real electoral force in the UK, with polls showing its support among the population at between 20-30%. This of course gives Farage much leverage with the current Johnson administration, whom he often gives some political chastisement, saying to the Outsiders that he doesn’t known if he can trust Boris to lead the UK into a Brexit, whatever form that may take, he still has to prove himself to the British public and that Boris is career man, not a principles man. Harsh words from a potential ally, in what is really a form of political blackmail.

There are other signs however that Farage is already influencing Johnson’s actions behind the scenes, the latest move by Johnson to prorogue parliament, with many critics decrying as a move to push through a no-deal Brexit at any political cost sounds like Farage. There are also suggestions of a declaration of emergency. A no deal Brexit is exactly what Farage has advocated for some time now and it is precisely the economic turmoil created by this approach that will allow the establishment of a new economic paradigm, a ‘resetting of the agenda’.

What will it look like? One only has to see the way money today is laundered by the leading corporates today through overseas tax havens, including those who supported Atlantic Bridge, notably billionaire Michael Hintze and his Caymans listed hedge investment fund CQS. Hintze channelled much of the money into the Atlantic Bridge organisation.

Offshore havens are very useful way of avoiding taxes, but so are onshore tax havens, what better location for tax avoidance than London itself, a major financial global capital. Many have warned the disruption caused by a no deal Brexit would cripple the British economy, but this may be precisely what the new corporate elite have in mind, after all its 11 years since the last financial crisis and it may be time to bleed the middle classes and poor again or have a war, or both. Betting on uncertain world events is core business now for fund managers like Hintze, who now supports the Brexit campaign.

On Outsiders, Farage was explicit, Brexit was crucial to the new Anglo world order. Whatever the consequences and they achieved support for Brexit in the British population through ‘Project Fear’ of the ‘black locusts’ (immigrants). He also wants an end to the EU and in fact the world ‘global project’, with ‘nation states’ as the new building block, Brexit is clearly designed to achieve these ends. He also doubts of course the future of NATO, echoing Trump’s criticisms of the organisation.

He is keen to point out the fallacy of ‘climate alarmism’ as a ‘globalist agenda’. While he contends the environment is important, there is too much obsessing with carbon dioxide for him, a perfectly natural molecule that couldn’t really hurt anybody. He claimed a carbon tax was only a way of transferring money from the poor to the rich.

But Farage also points out a role for Australia in this new world he is proposing, such as a better trade relationship, as he quite likes our wines. As far as our Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, was concerned, on August 11th Farage was unsure, asking if he had what it took to join the Anglosphere, though admitting we were “much better off” than under Turnbull, who was a traitor to the conservative cause and was known to enjoy a latte at times.

Are we really on board with this? You only have to see what has our Prime Minister has been doing in the last few weeks to clarify that question. First, he went to see the Trump administration, having a number of dinners and meetings, mainly to talk about a new trade deal with the US, outside of the TPP arrangement and is due back again in September for another wine and dine. It was reported they also discussed Australia’s involvement in the military build-up in the middle east, along with internal security matters, as Morrison presented his idea for greater internet security at the subsequent G7 meeting in France.

Everyone noticed Morrison’s close relationship with Trump at the G7 meeting, acting as a sort of confidant and accompanying him closely.

Afterwards, Morrison then met with Boris Johnson, where it was reported in the media that the meeting was primarily to discuss a new trading relationship with the UK following Brexit. It seems our little Aussie battler is doing just fine with the big boys and their big new plans and indeed may be ‘making plans for Nigel’. His admiration for Trump was clearly visible at the G7 and Morrison even knew when to keep his mouth shut in relation to foreign policy.

In terms of support from home, our PM has the local crew, Tony, JA, JH and the new cadre of Koch-funded advocates, Janet Albrechtsen from the IPA, Andrew Cooper from LibertyWorks, a consensus of support within the Coalition Party room and of course Uncle Rupert, all cashed up and without whom, the far right hegemony in Australia could never have been possible.

Is this just a dream or will the evil empire transpire? If I were Nigel Farage, I would be quite happy with recent developments. But what all this will mean for the rest of us is uncertain. I think it’s time to put the seatbelt on, there may be a rocky ride coming up.

Like what we do at The AIMN?

You’ll like it even more knowing that your donation will help us to keep up the good fight.

Chuck in a few bucks and see just how far it goes!

Donate Button

 

13 comments

Login here Register here
  1. Phil Pryor

    (Ceases vomiting…) That filthy fraud Farage and his buddy conservative cranks and crooks have lowered world political standards greatly. Do not ever support greedy filth, frauds, fools. Ego fixated conservatives only want supremacy, position, control, your money and soul and heart. Civilisation is bruised enough now without the class of stinkers represented by Trump. B Johnson_Joke, Farage, Morrison, and all the other self centred shithead shonks and sharks of conservative scheming, greed, ambition, manipulation. Evil

  2. Alpo

    These lunatics are hanging on the mess caused by the GFC, which determined the official decomposition of their beloved Neoliberalism, in order to save such Neoliberalism via deluded Nationalism. They want to save the Multinationals by attacking Internationalism, which is politically associated with the left and the left is politically associated with attacking the Multinationals.

    So, it’s Nationalism that keeps the People supporting their side and from destroying what’s left of their Neoliberalism.

    It’s a cunning plan…. Will it work?…. The recent Australian federal election is taken as evidence that the “plan is working”. But I suggest to wait for Brexit and then next year for the USA presidential election. If this bunch of deranged Neoliberal-Nationalists are sent packing in the UK (and the UK Remains in the EU), whilst Trump is sent packing at the next presidential election…. The Neoliberal-Nationalist International Revolution would have failed…. ScuMo will be left alone…. and he will be next to go in a couple of years time…

    I can’t wait to see what happens next…. 🙂

  3. Hungry Charlie

    Thanks for that optimistic view, they certainly have a few hurdles to get over. I’m stocking up on pop corn but am dismayed at the direction Australia is going.

  4. Lantanaman

    Anyone who thinks Australia is performing well must be living in a parallel universe. Our esteemed political leaders live in sterile Canberra and believe the bullshit they espouse because they imagine that the populace really have nothing to complain about. The economy is going great guns, record low interest rates, so really cheap mortgages, low inflation. Whinging, whining Chattering class never had it so good doncha know?
    With the gormless wonders defending their own positions on the Treasury benches, if they put as much effort in to doing a proper job, this country would be far better placed.
    Of course the headwind the LNP Government is constantly battling is fallout of the Labor incompetents a decade ago, still be their fault two decades from now.
    If the people get the government they deserve we must be really bad.

  5. Andrew Smith

    These media and PR hungry conservatives and/nativists are the noise and fog used to mask the radical right libertarian strategy, to attract voters.

    Their attacks on the EU are to preclude the increasing measures planned and/or already taken by the EU to rein in multinational tax and regulatory avoidance, in addition to uncompetitive behaviour.

    Presented as a battle for sovereignty, patriotism and freedom.

  6. Hungry Charlie

    If you look at what Abbott says, less government, less tax, more freedom – its straight from the Libertarian handbook. Our right wing government has been bought by a group of wealthy fossil fuel and hedge fund moguls and are completely onboard with the libertarian agenda.

  7. Andrew Smith

    Abbott’s preferred libertarian group in the US is Heritage Foundation (one of several in the same orbit linked to funders including Koch’s et al.:

    ‘it’s name is no coincidence: For forty years now, it has been fighting against the forces of modernization — including individualism, social freedom, secularism, multiculturalism, ecological consciousness, and evidence-based active government……This is a movement, after all, which at different times has embraced social Darwinism, eugenics, segregation, and McCarthyism — while opposing Social Security, Medicare, the civil rights movement, women’s rights, and so on.’

    https://www.demos.org/blog/dark-truth-about-heritage-foundation

  8. Hungry Charlie

    Very interesting thanks, there isn’t much awareness of this issue in Australia, I did a blog about Koch network here fyi
    https://www.hungrycharley.com/442963468

  9. Luke Page

    There may indeed be a rocky ride coming up. But why? Because of the likes of Nigel Farage and Trump? Many people around the world are fed up and i don’t think its just because Farage and Trump are stirring the pot. The pot was already turning, and for some time — certainties had broken down, and the politicians were fiddling and ignoring the people and ironically the more you ignore the real reasons this came about, your going to hasten the world you deplore.

  10. Andrew Smith

    Hungary Charlie, excellent summary and I would add the other essential aspect, where does the dog whistling and nativism, often masquerading as a form ‘environmentalism’ come from and/or hide?

    Same infrastructure developed by the population control and eugenics movement funded by same neo liberal oligarchs; deeply rooted in Australia with colony, empire, white Oz and new resurgence in nativism or anti-immigrant agit prop masquerading as a form of ‘sustainable’ environmentalism and border security.

    Population Bomb or Bomb the Population?

    Mainstays of Zero Population Growth were John Tanton whose networks now influence immigration policy in the White House and the ‘alt right’, UK & Brexit (Population Matters UK and Migration Watch linked via Tanton’s CIS) and Australia (various MPs and academics accessing media, Sustainable Australia etc.); plus Paul ‘Population Bomb’ and ‘Club of Rome’ Ehrlich for an ‘academic veneer’ with support from Rockefeller, Ford and Carnegie Foundations (Sea Shepherd’s Paul Watson was also involved).

    https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2019/07/18/john-tantons-legacy

    If you want to understand Trump’s protectionist economic or trade policy (seems to conflict with Buchanan’s ideas as do Trump’s with many in the GOP) is another Club of Rome (sponsored/hosted Fiat, VW & Rockefeller) spin off under the guise of ‘limits to growth’ i.e. Herman Daly’s ‘steady state economy’ stressing the nation, no multilateral trade agreements, borders, no immigration, tariffs, focus upon goods not services, etc. making an even playing field for global incumbents e.g. US fossil fuel, auto etc. MNCs.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steady-state_economy

    Like Nancy MacLean describes, a very long game while now it’s Koch’s that have been central in raising funds and supporting architecture of influence.

    PS Watched Huxley’s Brave New World (his grandfather founded the eugenics movement?), again recently, allegorical sci fi version of their world or pecking order including the character ‘Adolph Rockefeller’ 🙂

  11. Hungry Charlie

    Yes immigration and protectionism were the two ways the Koch’s had problems with Trump’s agenda, but in order for the right to gain control, I guess they realised they have to be populist, that means pandering to the fears about foreigners taking our jobs. Farage is playing the same cards. How does this this fit in with the trade war with China? You may be right about the steady state model, it looks like posturing both for the voters and setting up China as a potential war foe but also a globally destabilising action which I think is a primary objective for them. Its ironic though that the corporates who perpetrated this gutting of the manufacturing base in the US are now supporting Trump.

  12. Phil

    Nice picture. Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dumber.

  13. Andreas Bimba

    Not much good going on in the world of the conservatives BUT Brexit is the right thing to do and Nigel Farage has played a decisive role in bringing this about.

    The EU is a fundamentally undemocratic neoliberal club that imposes fiscal rules on all member states, but especially those nations within the euro-zone, that locks in national government austerity, declining government services, decaying infrastructure and extremely high real levels of unemployment and underemployment. The euro-zone also locks in massive trade distortions for example Germany has a truly enormous trade surplus whilst most southern European states have huge trade deficits and have endured industry closures on a massive scale with no hope of escape. Nations can’t even preference local suppliers for government contracts. The weaker performing states can no longer devalue their currencies to restore competitiveness nor can they stimulate their national economies through fiscal policy. The ongoing treatment of Greece by the EU’s controllers has been totally unjust and appalling.

    The European Central Bank and the European Commission run the EU, not the EU parliament, and the former are controlled by the banking and big business oligarchies of the north centred on Germany through secret meetings that not even national ministers have any influence. The EU is evolving into Germania and yet even the Germans have suffered from record wealth inequality, job insecurity for the less well paid segment of society and government austerity that has seen a decline in the standard of the previously comprehensive social welfare system and deteriorating infrastructure.

    The EU is unreformable and will only become worse but their is a chance nations will at some point cast off the curse of the neoliberal era at some point through democratic means and Jeremy Corbyn’s UK Labor Party offers an example of that possibility in 2022 or sooner. Within the current EU, Jeremy Corbyn would find that many of his proposed reforms such as nationalising the railways and preferencing local manufacturers would face sanctions from the EU.

    Nigel Farage may be a hard right neoliberal but the UK leaving the EU could result in the UK being the founding member of the EUN – European Union of Nations, where each member state has their own sovereign currency which is much more rational from a macroeconomic and social equity point of view, are no longer subject to undemocratic centralised oligarchic European hegemony, are free to adopt trade protection and local industry support measures if they deem suitable and would just have a central body to coordinate and advise member states on common issues and to harmonise standards and regulations as far as practicable.

    Even Russia and Turkey, as well as Ukraine and the other CIS states that are currently in the Russian political sphere could join such a EUN preferential trade zone once they meet recognised minimum standards of human rights, judicial integrity and democratic standards whilst retaining the current security and military arrangements that hopefully would subside over time.

    Note even the EU’s founding promise of bringing ongoing peace to Europe was a lie as was proven when the EU moved to accept Ukraine as a member state which triggered Putin’s intervention into Crimea and Eastern Ukraine which almost brought the world to major war.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 2 MB. You can upload: image, audio, video, document, spreadsheet, interactive, text, archive, code, other. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop file here

Return to home page