Miriam Cates has defended Nigel Farage after political commentator Andy Twelves branded his comments about Remain voters being "unpatriotic" as "dangerous".
The Reform UK leader told GB News yesterday that he "never understood how you could be patriotic and at the same time be happy to hand away chunks of control" to Brussels.
"A lot of those who believed in the European Union believed in global governance, didn't really believe in us as a country, and by definition, I think they were unpatriotic," Farage said.
In a conversation about his comments today, Twelves said: "It's just ridiculous. The referendum was 10 years ago. Now, there's almost an entire generation able to vote who weren’t eligible in 2016.
Andy Twelves branded his comments about Remain voters being 'unpatriotic' as 'dangerous'
GB NEWS
"For him to keep going on about it, it's just a bit odd. But it’s also quite dangerous to suggest that, you know, if you agree with global governance, if you agree with international treaties or international organisations, then for some reason you're unpatriotic."
Miriam Cates fired back: "I'm not sure why it's dangerous. I mean, I can understand why you disagree, but surely it's a perfectly legitimate point of political debate."
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Twelves replied: "I think, certainly, when he's got people like Charlie Mullins or Liz Truss both quite prominent remainers now as close allies. I think Liz Truss was in conversation with his party last week.
"Charlie Mullins is probably a candidate at the next election for Reform. When he’s got these kinds of arch-remainers in his ranks, I mean, what’s he doing?
"Is this another Rupert Lowe situation? Is more division going to be created within the Reform UK party? It’s just hypocritical. If he's got such senior remainers advising him and working with him are they unpatriotic?"
Tom Harwood said: "He would probably deny that these people are advising him, let's say.
"I want to ask: would you think that a Canadian who supported the Trump proposal to make Canada America’s 51st state would be less patriotic than a Canadian who wanted Canada to remain an independent country?"
Farage also criticised Labour's recent attempts to embrace the St George's flag, suggesting it was a response to Reform UK's growing popularity.
"The Labour Party have had this total aversion to the Saint George's flag," Farage said on GBN.
Nigel Farage said it is "unpatriotic" to not have voted Brexit
GB NEWS
He referenced Emily Thornberry's controversial 2014 tweet showing a house with England flags and a white van, which he described as "north London snobbery".
Farage claimed Labour's current approach was reactive: "Starmer saying he wants to reclaim the flag. Basically the Labour Party and the Prime Minister are dancing to Reform's tune."
He added: "They are scared. They know that there is a patriotic old Labour... who are increasingly attracted by what reform has to say."
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