Farage claims 'Judeo Christian culture' under threat at US right wing conference
Nigel Farage claimed the West's "Judeo Christian culture" is under threat in a speech to a wild US pro-Donald Trump conference.
The former Brexit Party leader was given a warm reception at the CPAC conference in Washington DC - the largest right-wing conference in the US. He told the crowd he had previously been a "Billy no mates" in the UK - but now "the things I fought for for 30 years are becoming mainstream, becoming popular."
He claimed the basis of Western civilisation was "our Judeo Christian values" - despite previously complaining that the "Jewish lobby" had had disproportionate influence on the United States. And he called for "absolute, total commitment and unwavering support" for Trump.
"Corrupt regimes, undemocratic countries, they either try to bankrupt or imprison their political opponents," he told the crowd. "I thinkin the case of the Biden regime they are trying to do both to Donald Trump."
He went on: "And that is why he needs from all of us, our absolute, total commitment and our unwavering support for him as a man. Unwavering support. I know what it's like to be demonised. I know what it's like to be called all the names under the sun. But I can tell you, he's been through more of it than I have. And simply folks, I believe that Donald Trump is the bravest man that I have ever met."
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decadeLater in his speech, Mr Farage - who in 2017 faced fury for claiming the "Jewish lobby" had disproportionate power in the United States - branded pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the UK "disgraceful." He said a demonstration which projected the phrase "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" onto Big Ben was "calling for the destruction of the Jewish People."
"And there hasn't been a single arrest," he said. "We allow an extremist fringe to bully us and threaten our democracy. And that is why we need strong leaders. We need leaders of conviction. It's why you in America, and we in the world need Trump back in that White House."
While few attendees had heard of Rishi Sunak - or even Liz Truss, who spoke at the conference on Thursday - the former Brexit Party leader has a full-scale fan club at CPAC. “We love Nigel!,” Ms Monk said. “I am actually friends with Nigel. Yeah. I was just having a smoke with him.”
Asked if he’d make a good Prime Minister, she said: “Maybe, maybe. I would get to see him less. The security in the smoking room would be a little higher.” Ms Hunt said Mr Farage should “100%” be made British Prime Minister.
“I don't get to vote. But I think he has the English people's best interests at heart and not his own self-interest. I think he is a true conservative.” Ms Kochman said: "I like him a lot. He's got a pleasant manner. I like his English Accent and he seems to be level headed. He likes America"
Dixie Ferguson, from Washington State said. "I love Nigel. He seems like an American talking. The way he thinks."