Farage vs Clegg

[Mich the Tester]

Nigel Farage says Nick Clegg is 'European at heart' - Telegraph

Are 'European' and 'British' mutually exclusive concepts?

Go ahead. You probably know what I think anyway.

[DodgyAgent]

Nigel Farage says Nick Clegg is 'European at heart' - Telegraph

Are 'European' and 'British' mutually exclusive concepts?

Go ahead. You probably know what I think anyway.

What is "European"?

[Mich the Tester]

What is "European"?

Good question, because it can mean almost anything (as can 'British') but you tell me what you understand it to mean, then answer the question; are 'European' and 'British' mutually exclusive (as Mr Farage seems to believe)?

[DodgyAgent]

Good question, because it can mean almost anything (as can 'British') but you tell me what you understand it to mean, then answer the question; are 'European' and 'British' mutually exclusive (as Mr Farage seems to believe)?

Unless we define both then I am afraid it is a non question. My understanding of a "European" is someone identified by nothing other than the "EU dream" of an EU Utopia where every town in europe is dominated by Tesco or Carrefour and everywhere is homogenised under a single cultural and economic identity.

[Mich the Tester]

Unless we define both then I am afraid it is a non question.

So Farage is making a non-statement when he says Clegg is primarily a 'European'?

[d000hg]

What is "European"?

Not shaving your armpits and wearing speedos?

[DodgyAgent]

So Farage is making a non-statement when he says Clegg is primarily a 'European'?

He is using it in a derogatory manner. I assume he means it as anyone who believes in the integrity and primacy of the EU concept and all of its institutions and practices. it also means someone who forsakes his own national identity or national interests. This is how I view anyone who calls themselves "European"

[Mich the Tester]

He is using it in a derogatory manner. I assume he means it as anyone who believes in the integrity and primacy of the EU concept and all of its institutions and practices. it also means someone who forsakes his own national identity or national interests. This is how I view anyone who calls themselves "European"

So you do think that European and British are mutually exclusive concepts?

[mos]

it also means someone who forsakes his own national identity or national interests. This is how I view anyone who calls themselves "European"

That would exclude Germans (and possibly French).

[d000hg]

So you do think that European and British are mutually exclusive concepts?

They can be depending how you mean it. If you view "European" as synonymous with "Continental", which is one common interpretation.