🐾 Dave – The Rambling Donkey

  The decision to bar fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending their Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham has exposed a deeper fault line in British life — the persistent blurring of Judaism with the state of Israel, and the confusion that follows when identity and politics merge. The city’s Safety Advisory Group, backed by West Midlands Police, deemed the 6 November fixture a “high-risk” event, citing intelligence and the violent clashes between Maccabi and Ajax supporters in Amsterdam last year, which Dutch officials described as a “toxic mix of antisemitism, hooliganism, and anger” over the Gaza war. Birmingham officials insisted the restriction was purely a safety measure. Yet the political and moral aftershocks suggested something far more complex. Within hours, Keir Starmer condemned the move, warning that “we will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets.” Kemi Badenoch called it a “national disgrace,” saying it implied “there are parts of Britain where Jew...

The debate over Reform UK’s stance on immigration has reignited questions about racism in British politics. A new YouGov survey (29–30 September 2025) , conducted for ITV’s Peston , provides fresh insight into how Britons see the party, its policies, and its voters — and how these views compare with what people think Prime Minister Keir Starmer believes. 1. What Britons Think When asked directly about Reform UK: The party overall : 47% say “generally racist,” 36% “not racist,” with around 17% unsure. Its policies : 46% say “racist,” 35% “not,” 19% don’t know. Its voters : 43% say “racist,” 35% “not,” 22% don’t know. 👉 In all three cases, more people say “racist” than say “not racist,” but the country is still quite divided. 2. What People Think Starmer Thinks The survey also tested perceptions of the Prime Minister’s stance: Party & policies : About 60–61% think he sees them as racist. Voters : 49% think he sees them as racist. 👉 Britons believe Starmer...