Nigel gave a public voice to concerns of many of us
I had vowed that never again would I react publicly to the loose pen of Rod Shaw, but I just can’t let his latest contribution ‘Let’s take EU vote to replay’ (Shropshire Star, January 22) go by without comment.
He criticises who he describes as the ‘mendacious’ Farage in connection with ‘NHS funding and the message on the bus’. I assume that Mr Shaw is referring to the message which appeared during the referendum campaign sponsored by the Leave camp stating that money saved when we no longer had to contribute to the EU budget could be spent on the NHS.
I’m not at all sure that Mr Farage was actually directly responsible for that message, but even if he was, since the UK is still to benefit from the envisaged saving it’s too early to judge whether it will prove to be true or not.
In the meantime it is surely fair to comment that this part of the Leave campaign was no more ‘mendacious’ and ‘dodgy’ (using Mr Shaw’s terminology) than the scare-mongering tactics of the Remainers actively supported by our own Government at our (taxpayers) expense.
Those who criticise Mr Farage should bear in mind that had previous governments – Labour and Conservative – given just half an ear to those of us who were concerned about the way in which the EU was developing and had attempted earlier to do something about it we might not be in the position we are today.
Nigel Farage filled a gap giving a loud public voice to issues which had worried a lot of us for a long time.
I fear that if the Government fails to deliver Brexit – a proper Brexit – there is a danger that a much more mendacious and dodgy body might well emerge seeking to represent us disappointed disenfranchised proletariat.
Michael Hughes, Shrewsbury
