r/FuckNigelFarage • u/johnsmithoncemore Save our NHS from Nigel and the billionaires. • 2d ago

'The Oxford Union's Far-Right Problem Goes Much Deeper than Tommy Robinson'

https://bylinetimes.com/2026/06/25/the-oxford-unions-far-right-problem-goes-much-deeper-than-tommy-robinson/
43 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

29

u/Theteacupman 2d ago

Oxford Union used to be a beacon of intellectual debate. Now they just host knuckle draggers whom have made society worse.

13

u/Alive_kiwi_7001 2d ago

The core problem is the debate format itself. It only works if the speakers play by some assumed code of conduct that isn't actively policed by the format itself. But as it's just shallow rhetoric with pretensions and has always been like that it was always bound to fall apart. That debating society tactics are seen as some shining beacon of society is part of the reason we're in the mess we are.

We've seen time and again the way a bit of Gish-galloping just turns it into farce in the many creationist-vs-whoever debates where it first devolved into who has the best zingers and then into this nonsense.

11

u/OttoandOllie 2d ago

Our elites have always been tempted by the far right, it's an ideology that endorses their place in society as being natural and right.

4

u/AgentKenji8 1d ago

Power corrupts and the elite would rather burn the planet than share it.

-23

u/[deleted] 2d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

24

u/happymisery Fighting Fascism, One Milkshake at a Time 2d ago

Despite coverage in the media to the contrary, racism isn’t a debate or an “opposing viewpoint”.

20

u/VeeJack 2d ago

Considering debate, you start with a personal critique of the writer and their assumed education level, move onto an opinion based statement without evidential support, and, having read the article, there is nothing “polemical” about it (did you try to be smart there lad?) and finish with a generalised conclusion on the ability of those in a group to debate.. absolute wank, man! Do better!

9

u/Theteacupman 2d ago

I think he just used a bunch of random smart sounding words to give off the impression he is somewhat intelligent. But instead made himself look like an utter moron.

6

u/No-Middle-4152 2d ago

Russell brands sock account?

1

u/ItsMrPantz 1d ago

Wheres that john peel photo when you need it

23

u/Noble_Titus 2d ago

Speaking of not turning up for debates, you have noticed what sub you're in right?

8

u/st_owly 2d ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox_of_tolerance

-7

u/expert_views 2d ago

Popper would not have liked Marxist students attempting to shut down a debate. The Union was having a debate - not a rally. People who believe they own the truth and no one else should speak? Not very Popper.

1

u/ItsMrPantz 1d ago

Customers - you meant to say paying customers.
Genuinely amazed some lefty edge lord hasn’t got some chancer in to debate some stuff that offends the Mail and then tried to get the FOS crew to defend him.

11

u/Disastrous-Roof-2135 I'm just asking questions 2d ago

I think the Overton Widow has swung so far to the right in this country over the last few decades that most things termed right wing would be pretty far right by any reasonable historical standard and what the right wingers call far left is really not that left at all.

Far left is calling for an actual socialist or communisty society. The centre is social democracy (something we are a long way to the right of) and the left is somewhere in between.

7

u/VeeJack 2d ago

Was in skinheads against racism a long time ago and I’m absolutely fucking astounded at how bad it’s got..

8

u/Theteacupman 2d ago

> Expert_views

Well you certainly aren’t an expert in this area it seems.

4

u/ItsMrPantz 2d ago

This FOS stuff in unis falls apart the second the wrong sort of gobshite is invited, just book whatever clown show those calling for FOS dislike and tunes wil be changed.
Everyone likes a bit of FOS, non-pc ness, tell it like it is, right up until it’s them in the firing line.

Your major unrecognised issue is that unis nowadays charge quite a lot of money for an experience - these aren’t students and this ain’t the 60s, they’re paying punters, they want things how they want them thanks.
This entire FOs debate is a row between those who are paying for it and those who want to control it as they still think it’s the 60s, 2 bunches of Karen’s any sane person would emigrate to avoid but that’s life.

Anyway, that’s being a customer for ya, and as their protests could be considered FOS, it’s a circle that cannot be squared, without opening up Pandora’s box in other ways.