UKIP's Godfrey Bloom under fire over 'demeaning' joke

[Chippiewill]

A UKIP politician has had the party whip removed after joking that a group of female activists were "*****".

MEP Godfrey Bloom made the comments while addressing a "women in politics" event at UKIP's annual conference.

Challenged afterwards, he said it had been a joke. The remark prompted laughter from some of those present.

But UKIP leader Nigel Farage said he believed disciplinary action should be taken, since the row had overshadowed his earlier conference speech.

Mr Farage said he did not have the power to suspend him without the authority of the party chairman and governing executive but would recommend sanctions against the Yorkshire and Humber MEP who he said had "gone beyond the pale".


UKIP chairman Steve Crowther later confirmed the whip would be removed from Mr Bloom, suspending him from formal involvement in party business.

The sanction does not affect his position as an MEP.

In a fringe meeting at the party's annual conference in London, Mr Bloom made reference to previous comments he had made about women not cleaning behind the fridge.

When the women at the meeting said they had never cleaned behind their fridges, he said: "This place is full of *****."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24175041

Can't say I'm surprised, he's been ramping up on the offensive side for a while and it does not make UKIP look good in any capacity. It is particularly damaging as he is perhaps the second most prominent member of UKIP.

Thoughts?

-:Undertaker:-;

[-:Undertaker:-]

While it certainly looks bad and has ruined the entire conference (as Farage said), I would say that it has been welllllllllll blown out of proportion. The main incident which was calling a room full of women '*****' sounds to our generation as in the sexual word of being promiscious, but as my mum explained to me: years ago it used to mean untidy. Indeed if you listen to the recording, all of the women in the room laughed. It was a joke and having met him myself I can confirm that he's very old fashioned in his language - and he really is a nice guy (he left our table £30 for drinks as he had to leave early :P).

The second incident with Michael Crick really got my blood boiling, although maybe he shouldn't of acted in the way he had (although that said, Crick had it coming) - the fact that Crick was asking Bloom why there weren't any black faces on a sodding leaflet I found as a white person to be a very racist comment and asked myself what would happen if someone like Bloom had asked why there were so many black faces in a Labour Party leaflet? work it out.

All that said, he should have known better and handled it better as the media are dying to jump down their throats. I knwo Farage though has his hands tied with this one but I do hope Bloom remains in the party and returns as an MEP as he's my favourite MEP in Brussels.

Video for people who haven't yet seen - classic TV moment :P


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzPBn5SLcxE

[Inseriousity.]

Listening to the recording doesn't really prove everyone in the room laughed as clearly those who didn't laugh wouldn't be heard. I saw one report that someone rolled their eyes like 'oh here he goes again.' Despite that, what is obvious from the recording is that it was said in jest but I can also see why UKIP had to suspend him

[Ardemax]

Too far this time, Bloomy.

If you crack under pressure from reporters then you are not a suitable politician and Mr. Bloom has here demonstrated his incapability of keeping a cool head when faced by provocative media questions.

UKIP need to get rid of him asap to avoid further damaging their image (Farage knows this all too well).

It would be nice to see a comeback from this, but I'm not sure it will happen quickly.

[Chippiewill]

If you crack under pressure from reporters then you are not a suitable politician and Mr. Bloom has here demonstrated his incapability of keeping a cool head when faced by provocative media questions.
Whilst I agree it was an inappropriate reaction I think he was actually joking around.

[Ardemax]

Whilst I agree it was an inappropriate reaction I think he was actually joking around.

He has a funny way of showing it. He is someone I'd prefer to see out of politics to be frank and UKIP would be better off without him to attract more voters.

[AgnesIO]

While it certainly looks bad and has ruined the entire conference (as Farage said), I would say that it has been welllllllllll blown out of proportion. The main incident which was calling a room full of women '*****' sounds to our generation as in the sexual word of being promiscious, but as my mum explained to me: years ago it used to mean untidy. Indeed if you listen to the recording, all of the women in the room laughed. It was a joke and having met him myself I can confirm that he's very old fashioned in his language - and he really is a nice guy (he left our table £30 for drinks as he had to leave early :P).

All that said, he should have known better and handled it better as the media are dying to jump down their throats. I knwo Farage though has his hands tied with this one but I do hope Bloom remains in the party and returns as an MEP as he's my favourite MEP in Brussels.

Video for people who haven't yet seen - classic TV moment :P


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzPBn5SLcxE

"Asked about the latest furore, Diane James - one of the most senior female figures in the party - said the language was "demeaning" but "did not reflect the views" of most UKIP members." I think we can assume this is one person who didn't laugh, and I don't think you can honestly say "all the women in the room laughed" - as you clearly have no proof of this whatsoever! One can be old fashioned in their language, but what if - for example - a politician stands up referring to the "n word" black people - another word which was very common place not so long ago.

It simply doesn't look good for a party that DOES have to prove itself, whether rightly or wrongly, as all "up and coming" things do. This happening just a day after channel 4 did a report on Nigel Farage and his teachers thoughts on him in the midst of their conference is hardly the news UKIP needed.

I have to say, I think Godfrey Bloom looks like a violent hideous man, based on that video you posted. Whilst I do not think the question on skin colour was necessary, it was not racist and is a FAIR QUESTION for a party that is trying to put itself across as an inclusive group - you would think that they might have a bit of variance in skin colours on a brochure that has over 100 faces on it.

[-:Undertaker:-]

I have to say, I think Godfrey Bloom looks like a violent hideous man, based on that video you posted. Whilst I do not think the question on skin colour was necessary, it was not racist and is a FAIR QUESTION for a party that is trying to put itself across as an inclusive group - you would think that they might have a bit of variance in skin colours on a brochure that has over 100 faces on it.

Why would a brochure with 150 odd elected UKIP councillors on it have black faces included when they are not elected UKIP councillors?

[AgnesIO]

Why would a brochure with 150 odd elected UKIP councillors on it have black faces included when they are not elected UKIP councillors?

Why would Godfrey Bloom go mad and become a rude, ugly man at the result of someone asking? Maybe it says something when they do not have a single black councillor...

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 4

[Chippiewill]

Why would a brochure with 150 odd elected UKIP councillors on it have black faces included when they are not elected UKIP councillors?
I think he was implying that by there being no black people on the brochure that there were no black councillors which implies that UKIP doesn't accept black people as it's not representative of the population.


He has a funny way of showing it. He is someone I'd prefer to see out of politics to be frank and UKIP would be better off without him to attract more voters.
Dry humor is easy to miss, that said it's not appropriate for a politician.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Why would Godfrey Bloom go mad and become a rude, ugly man at the result of someone asking? Maybe it says something when they do not have a single black councillor...

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 4

UKIP do not have a single black councillor.

So what's your point?

[Chippiewill]

UKIP do not have a single black councillor.

So what's your point?

UKIP is racist and doesn't allow black people as councillors.

I imagine would be his point.

[-:Undertaker:-]

UKIP is racist and doesn't allow black people as councillors.

I imagine would be his point.

Well it'd be a valid point if they didn't allow black people as councillors, but that's not true - so therefore he must be getting at something else which is this: he obviously believes in the notion that only black people can be representative of other black people, therefore because a political party happens to not have any black people elected thus it doesn't represent any of the electorate who are black.

Now to me that's racism assuming that people of the same race think all the same way.

[Chippiewill]

Well it'd be a valid point if they didn't allow black people as councillors, but that's not true
Maybe it's not an official policy, but the decision makers are clearly inherently racist and come up with ******** reasons not to let the black people in. If they weren't racist they'd have a policy about meeting a quota or something. Isn't it obvious.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Maybe it's not an official policy, but the decision makers are clearly inherently racist and come up with ******** reasons not to let the black people in. If they weren't racist they'd have a policy about meeting a quota or something. Isn't it obvious.

Indeed, that must be why I gave this brown man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxMtT-5svsk) one of my highest votes for the UKIP MEP selection just last month. :P

+rep

[AgnesIO]

UKIP is racist and doesn't allow black people as councillors.

I imagine would be his point.


Well it'd be a valid point if they didn't allow black people as councillors, but that's not true - so therefore he must be getting at something else which is this: he obviously believes in the notion that only black people can be representative of other black people, therefore because a political party happens to not have any black people elected thus it doesn't represent any of the electorate who are black.

Now to me that's racism assuming that people of the same race think all the same way.

Excellent words stuffed into my mouth here. I get that you both adore UKIP, but that really doesn't stop the rest of the forum having other ideas. Now if the rest of the nation thinks in the way as you (and if we believe the propaganda that is flooded on to this forum, you do believe so), why oh why did Nigel Farage have to condemn the joke? I mean, surely he doesn't need to say anything if everyone finds it a funny joke? Or, could it possibly mean that not everyone thinks it was a hilarious thriller.

Now, how's that for putting words and thoughts into your mouth?

Back onto the representative thing, do you not feel that disabled people should be entitled to their own voice? Do you know think having women in parliament is important? Certainly that is what you have just said (or are black people different? I'd love to hear it).

[-:Undertaker:-]

Excellent words stuffed into my mouth here. I get that you both adore UKIP, but that really doesn't stop the rest of the forum having other ideas. Now if the rest of the nation thinks in the way as you (and if we believe the propaganda that is flooded on to this forum, you do believe so), why oh why did Nigel Farage have to condemn the joke? I mean, surely he doesn't need to say anything if everyone finds it a funny joke? Or, could it possibly mean that not everyone thinks it was a hilarious thriller.

Now, how's that for putting words and thoughts into your mouth?

Because Farage is under pressure by a media dying to jump down his throat at every chance instead of asking questions about policy - I did not once observe Michael Crick or C4 News ask any question on policy. I wish Crick had challenged them on policy, because UKIP should be held to account on policy just as all other parties should be - that in my view is the role of a political journalist.

But even if Farage does really think it's dreadful etc I don't care because I can see it's a joke.


Back onto the representative thing, do you not feel that disabled people should be entitled to their own voice? Do you know think having women in parliament is important? Certainly that is what you have just said (or are black people different? I'd love to hear it).

You said above that I stuffed words into your mouth, yet you've just gone and proved my point. Why does the gender, colour of somebody's skin or even a disability somehow mean that they speak for all those who belong in that group? do all the people in these social or ethnic groups think the same do they?

So you asked, do I think having somebody with a vagina in parliament is important? - not really, them having a vagina doesn't interest me in the slightest just as them being black, chinese, gay or lesbian doesn't bother me. What concerns me, and what I vote on, is whether or not I agree with the candidate or party in question. Policy matters, not how somebody looks.

As i've stated in the past on this forum - i'd vote for a gay one legged, green skinned, bog eyed tramp in a wheelchair if he represented my views best. It really doesn't bother me what the candidate looks like or what ethnic group they belong to, because ethnic group does not = viewpoint. In other words, skin colour doesn't equal your mindset - although you seem to think so.

[AgnesIO]

Because Farage is under pressure by a media dying to jump down his throat at every chance instead of asking questions about policy - I did not once observe Michael Crick or C4 News ask any question on policy.

But even if Farage does really think it's dreadful etc I don't care because I can see it's a joke.

You miss my point. If nobody considered the language to be offensive, it would be irrelevant what the media thought. If Bloom said "Everyone woman in this room has a Labrador" there wouldn't be an issue - or told a knock, knock joke. The fact is Bloom came out with a completely idiotic comment which simply makes UKIP look like the bunch of loonies that they are.

The problem UKIP have and will continue to have is that they attract idiots like Bloom, who (whether you think of him as an European Parliament hero or not) continuously make UKIP look ridiculous.

You said above that I stuffed words into your mouth, yet you've just gone and proved my point. Why does the gender, colour of somebody's skin or even a disability somehow mean that they speak for all those who belong in that group? do all the people in these social or ethnic groups think the same do they?

So you asked, do I think having somebody with a vagina in parliament is important? - not really, them having a vagina doesn't interest me in the slightest just as them being black, chinese, gay or lesbian bothers me. What concerns me, and what I vote on, is whether or not I agree with the candidate in question. Policy matters, not how somebody looks.

As i've stated in the past on this forum - i'd vote for a gay one legged, green skinned, bog eyed tramp in a wheelchair if he represented my views best. It really doesn't bother me what the candidate looks like or what ethnic group they belong to, because ethnic group does not = viewpoint. In other words, skin colour doesn't equal your mindset although you seem to think so.

Personally, I do believe it is important to have some sort of spread of people, and if you seriously think that makes me a racist than you are just as mad in the head as Bloom - and I really don't think you are that stupid. Of course they won't speak for all in their respective group, but I imagine the chance of them being able to fully represent them is greatly enhanced. Just like how the Tories are known for looking out for themselves (ie. the rich), I imagine a House of Commons of poor people would do a fantastic job at taxing the rich hugely, whilst giving themselves benefits.

Too short.

[-:Undertaker:-]

You miss my point. If nobody considered the language to be offensive, it would be irrelevant what the media thought. If Bloom said "Everyone woman in this room has a Labrador" there wouldn't be an issue - or told a knock, knock joke. The fact is Bloom came out with a completely idiotic comment which simply makes UKIP look like the bunch of loonies that they are.

Then lets have the electorate judge on that, just as they did with his Bongo Bongo comments. As I recall at the time, most of the comments online (yes not the best sample in the world but hey) were in favour of his message.


The problem UKIP have and will continue to have is that they attract idiots like Bloom, who (whether you think of him as an European Parliament hero or not) continuously make UKIP look ridiculous.

I'd rather a Bloom in my party anyday (a man who was in the armed forces, worked in real job and is politically incorrect) than a Cameron, a Hague, an Osborne or a May.


Personally, I do believe it is important to have some sort of spread of people, and if you seriously think that makes me a racist than you are just as mad in the head as Bloom - and I really don't think you are that stupid. Of course they won't speak for all in their respective group, but I imagine the chance of them being able to fully represent them is greatly enhanced. Just like how the Tories are known for looking out for themselves (ie. the rich), I imagine a House of Commons of poor people would do a fantastic job at taxing the rich hugely, whilst giving themselves benefits.

So let's assume we have two Labour MPs who broadly believe the same in terms of policy. Now why is it important that one of those is black and one of those is white? because it wins more votes? well that would be voting on racial and ethnic lines and I don't believe most people do that. How is the black MP more 'representative' (other than he shares the same skin colour as black people) for people who have black skin? I don't understand it.

If race doesn't matter, and I don't believe it does, then why does race matter anymore than the colour of a candidates hair does? When I voted to rank the UKIP MEP candidates last month, I didn't take into account the race, gender or sexuality of any of the candidates. Why would I?

[Ardemax]

I think he was implying that by there being no black people on the brochure that there were no black councillors which implies that UKIP doesn't accept black people as it's not representative of the population.


Dry humor is easy to miss, that said it's not appropriate for a politician.

If you call that dry humour then I don't know what to think.

Can't we all just agree that Bloom is a sexist pig who deserves to be nowhere near the public eye?

[-:Undertaker:-]

If you call that dry humour then I don't know what to think.

Can't we all just agree that Bloom is a sexist pig who deserves to be nowhere near the public eye?

Well you must be really fun to be around, a real laugh.

He's apparently resigned as a UKIP MEP now and will serve out his term as an independent, but apparently is going to remain a party member: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/michaelheaver/100237606/godfrey-blooms-resignation-is-good-news-for-those-of-us-trying-to-forge-a-new-serious-ukip/ .... I have to say that, as a party member, it's pretty disgraceful the way he's been pushed under the bus (assuming he hasn't left on his own accord) to please the media who at the end of the day, are never ever going to like UKIP and are not going to treat it like the other three parties. He's been crucified by a hostile media over what was a private joke among friends.

If Godfrey stood as an MEP (independent) in the Yorkshire region in 2014, he'd have my vote over any of the UKIP candidates. Point being: one of the reasons I joined the party was for people like Bloom, watch his lectures/talks and he says what he thinks rather than the impression I get from people like Diane James (who is on the same page as me) who tend to play it safe and just sound like every other politician reading out their manifesto on television.

A great shame and i'm pretty disappointed at the leadership.

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/Godfrey-Bloom-stand-MEP/story-19837719-detail/story.html#axzz2foIZiYoJ


UKIP MEP Godfrey Bloom will not seek re-election in next year's European elections. Mr Bloom, who was suspended from the party last week after making a joke about "*****" at the party conference, said he would "sit out" the rest of his term in Brussels as an independent.

The news comes as some councillors in North East Lincolnshire called on him to resign over the comments. In a statement, the Yorkshire and Humber MEP said: "I have felt for some time now that the 'New UKIP' is not really right for me anymore perhaps than New Labour was right for the Denis 'The beast of Bolsover' Skinner.

"However our message is clear. Self Government. Our wonderful and loyal membership will win through with their dedication and hard work. It has been a pleasure to work with them for fifteen years.

"May I take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to the thousands of people who have supported me with messages of good will in the recent months and particularly in recent days. There have been simply too many to make a personal response, forgive me.

"I shall sit out my term as an independent and give my whole hearted support to Jane Collins who is almost certainly going to be the next UKIP MEP and probably a second seat yet to be decided. I shall of course retain my membership. "Onwards and upwards!"

It appears then that he's left on good terms and is going to stay in the party, still a great shame though.

[AgnesIO]

Well you must be really fun to be around, a real laugh.

He's apparently resigned as a UKIP MEP now and will serve out his term as an independent, but apparently is going to remain a party member: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/michaelheaver/100237606/godfrey-blooms-resignation-is-good-news-for-those-of-us-trying-to-forge-a-new-serious-ukip/ .... I have to say that, as a party member, it's pretty disgraceful the way he's been pushed under the bus (assuming he hasn't left on his own accord) to please the media who at the end of the day, are never ever going to like UKIP and are not going to treat it like the other three parties. He's been crucified by a hostile media over what was a private joke among friends.

If Godfrey stood as an MEP (independent) in the Yorkshire region in 2014, he'd have my vote over any of the UKIP candidates. Point being: one of the reasons I joined the party was for people like Bloom, watch his lectures/talks and he says what he thinks rather than the impression I get from people like Diane James (who is on the same page as me) who tend to play it safe and just sound like every other politician reading out their manifesto on television.

A great shame and i'm pretty disappointed at the leadership.

I like people who say what they think.. but only if they speak sense, which is hugely subjective and a reason why speaking your mind can always be risky. You'll always herbs sort of "marmite reaction".

I'm not sure your dig at Ardemax is fair - the fact he doesn't find a joke about branding an entire group of women spurs hardly makes him a boring person.

I imagine it is safe to say that the larger UKIP gets, the more "safe" they will become, and if they do become really big they will eventually swing towards the voters.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 4

[-:Undertaker:-]

I'm not sure your dig at Ardemax is fair - the fact he doesn't find a joke about branding an entire group of women spurs hardly makes him a boring person.

Most of the people I know - including myself - love dark/blue humour.

The fact is that although people may pretend to be outraged on this forum and on the BBC about jokes made about women etc, most of us hear far worse - and laugh at it - down at the pub, at parties or in the car with family and friends. The soft joke on FB that an oven is a woman's Xbox? hilarious ... yet if Bloom had said that in a meeting you'd still be calling for his head for party political reasons.

Across normal, working class pubs in this country the jokes that come from the likes of Bernard Manning and Roy Chubby Brown are laughed at.

[AgnesIO]

Most of the people I know - including myself - love dark/blue humour.

The fact is that although people may pretend to be outraged on this forum and on the BBC about jokes made about women etc, most of us hear far worse - and laugh at it - down at the pub, at parties or in the car with family and friends. The soft joke on FB that an oven is a woman's Xbox? hilarious ... yet if Bloom had said that in a meeting you'd still be calling for his head for party political reasons.

Across normal, working class pubs in this country the jokes that come from the likes of Bernard Manning and Roy Chubby Brown are laughed at.

Personally, I find many jokes funny (although I don't think branding people ***** is funny anyway, I fail to see the humour here, but whatever). HOWEVER, I wouldn't expect a politician to crack a joke about the holocaust, a disabled person or black people - despite the fact that I may find the joke privately amusing, it simply would not be appropriate at a party conference, or at a product announcement as another example.

Having said that, many others would be outraged at a joke about one of the above topics, whether it be cancer, the holocaust etc. Just because you, or I, find something amusing doesn't mean the next person will. Oh and before someone bites my head off for my thoughts on joke topics I shall repeat this quote; "Just because I find something funny, does not mean I subscribe to its rhetoric".