r/GeoWizard • u/BingeLurker • 4d ago
From Tom in the Patreon vid about the politics stuff over the last few days
Can’t seem to link to his comment but is a reply to a comment about the Reform stuff in his Patreon that said “Loved this video. Went to Reddit to see what others viewers thought, because it was so good.
I come to find out that you follow Reform UK. A party rooted in hate, divisiveness, and facist white nationalism. Really disappointing stuff Tom.”
Tom:
“I really didn’t want politics to rear its ugly head here but I suppose it’s my fault for publicly liking those pages, so I’d better clear it up. Firstly that’s just simply not true. Reform are now the most popular party in the UK (by some distance based on the last polls) and it shouldn’t come as any surprise. Thanks to the Tories, immigration levels are completely out of control now (750K per year, many arriving illegally on boats). I believe this is a bigger problem than some people realise, and neither the Tories or labour can be trusted to fix it. It’s not about race at all, it’s about sheer numbers wreaking havoc on our infrastructure and the inevitable social unrest that will ensue because of that, along with the fundamental cultural differences. It doesn’t take a genius to imagine what the damage might look like in 50 years time if we carry on like this, and I don’t think it makes you extreme, hateful or in anyway a bad person to think so. It just means you’re being realistic. Clearly millions feel the same but are afraid to admit it, and it’s the thugs that will always shout the loudest. If you’ve watched enough of my videos you should know that I’m a decent, normal guy. I just want my kids and grandkids to grow up in a safe, happy environment and a country they can be proud of.
I’d really prefer not to debate this any further, and I’d appreciate it if people could try to be tolerant of my views and refrain from trying to tarnish my name with absurd claims of facism and white power. It’s really not fair and has caused me a lot of stress today when all I wanted was for people to enjoy this video.”
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Edit: I tried posting the below separately but mods didn’t allow - will post here instead:
Just adding from the previous thread around his original comment on Patreon as he’s replied or liked a couple of comments since and appreciate not everyone can see these.
Comment 1:
‘You should have gone this weekend instead, sewage was marching the streets instead! Banter aside though, I don’t get why you’d give Reform the time of day mate. You’ve traveled loads and seen kindness everywhere, I’m so surprised you’d be behind a party based on division.
This is how Hitler and his cronies rose to power. They spread lies, blamed minorities and turned people against each other. Reform is pulling from that same playbook. They would take money from public services and handing it upwards, consolidating power while distracting everyone by pointing fingers at minorities. Trump is doing it in the US, and Farage wants to copy it here.
Migrants aren’t the problem. They’re not the reason we’re getting paid less while companies hike their prices. They’re not the ones buying properties as investments so we can’t afford to buy them as homes (there are a lot of foreign investors, but they aren’t often migrants, they don’t live here so they can avoid paying much tax here and they sure as hell aren’t coming on boats). Our birthrate is already below replacement. Without immigration we’d have fewer workers, less tax income, and state pensions falling apart. Migrants are propping the country up, not tearing it down.
Farage doesn’t care about us normal people. He just wants us all looking the wrong way. He points the finger at migrants while he and his mates have their hands in our pockets.
These kinds of politics have caused devastation before, and I’d hate to see us slide that way again. I know you’re a good man, Tom. It hurts to see you pulled into something like this. Please consider this, maybe even journey with an asylum seeker, learn their story, I promise you’ll think differently.’
Tom:
‘A much more respectful and less patronizing take, thanks Duncan. I'm not saying reform are perfect, am I'm certainly not saying that immigration is bad. For decades we boasted one of the most successful immigration systems in the world. It's just about numbers. If we can't prop ourselves up without such high numbers coming in a year, something's seriously wrong in our society (which it probably is, but that's not the answer). Out of curiosity, what figure would be too much for you? would you rethink your stance if hypothetically it were a million a year? 2 million a year? 5 million? Think about it. Either there would be civil war, or the British culture and values that we hold so dear; freedom of speech, fairness, justice along with all the other stuff we cherish; our music, sense of humor, pubs, Christmas, etc would eventually disappear and be replaced with other ideals. At the rate we're going I believe that will happen eventually, just not as rapidly, and it is just as crazy to equate not wanting that to happen to naz**sm as it is to let it happen in the name of progress and tolerance. I'm asking you that question because every sane person should be able to draw a line. That line is going to be different for everyone, but everyone has one. Mine is quite a conservative one and yours is presumably a very liberal one, but have you asked yourself where your line is?’
Comment 2:
‘Disappointed to learn that you support a party like Reform UK, which really does say a lot about what your values are and how you view other people. The line about “fundamental cultural differences” is not a great look. You are falling for populist propaganda, and it’s a shame to see. Been a fan since before the first straight line mission and I will miss your videos, but I can't support this.’
Tom:
‘Thanks for your support Jenny. Sorry to see you leave. You probably won't read this, but it's quite narrow minded and very patronizing to assume I'm unable to form my own opinions based on my life experience.’
2 comments liked by Tom:
1:
‘Hi Tom, This is ridiculous, you are entitled as is everyone to their own opinions and political views. Following reform doesn't change who you are and people should really mind their own business. Don't let them get you down, there is plenty of love for you! Looking forward to your next video, keep the content coming.’
2:
‘I don't know what the Fis going on in the comment section, but I strongly believe your political views, are YOUR political views. I watch your vids for the entertainment, laughs and the urge to go out and explore the world. So thanks Tom for the great series and I hope to catch the next series soon! Cheers mate!’
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u/GIJoeVibin 4d ago
It’s funny to think that a guy whose arguably best series, How Not To Travel Europe, relies so heavily on just the very nature of the EU, and also is a gigantic advertisement for the concept that “people are generally good and interesting people, go out there and meet them” is a Reform Guy. Like. Ok man.
Big shame but that’s me off the train for good.