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THREAD: Remember, Remainers: whenever Brexiters like Boris Johnson & Jacob Reed-Mogg say moronic attention-grabbing things (about the Camden-Islington border or whatever), *they WIN the argument even when they lose the argument*. We need to get smarter before it’s too late...
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When they spout this jaw-dropping shit (remember the Boris bridge?) or repeat widely discredited claims (£350m per week; EU tariffs impoverish African farmers) plenty of well-informed people jump in & prove they are wrong/stupid. They “lose the argument”. But they don’t care..
When they spout this jaw-dropping shit (remember the Boris bridge?) or repeat widely discredited claims (£350m per week; EU tariffs impoverish African farmers) plenty of well-informed people jump in & prove they are wrong/stupid. They “lose the argument”. But they don’t care..
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They are not trying to “win the argument” (in the sense of winning ppl over & convincing those who currently don’t support Brexit that it is a good idea). They are trying to *distract* (think Lynton Crosby’s ‘dead cat’ strategy). They are setting the news agenda...
They are not trying to “win the argument” (in the sense of winning ppl over & convincing those who currently don’t support Brexit that it is a good idea). They are trying to *distract* (think Lynton Crosby’s ‘dead cat’ strategy). They are setting the news agenda...
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Whenever they say this stuff, we (and the media, regardless of Brexit stance; it’s not only about bias & political agendas) are talking about the subject du jour which *they, the Brexiters* have chosen, not the one *we* would have chosen if we handed a blank canvas...
Whenever they say this stuff, we (and the media, regardless of Brexit stance; it’s not only about bias & political agendas) are talking about the subject du jour which *they, the Brexiters* have chosen, not the one *we* would have chosen if we handed a blank canvas...
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We need the national conversation to be all about the *impact of Brexit*. Yes on the economy (it’s gonna be brutal). But *not only the economy*. Also the impact of Brexit on our families, communities, friends & neighbours among the 3 million, the UK‘s International reputation.
We need the national conversation to be all about the *impact of Brexit*. Yes on the economy (it’s gonna be brutal). But *not only the economy*. Also the impact of Brexit on our families, communities, friends & neighbours among the 3 million, the UK‘s International reputation.
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When these issues (the real-world impact of Brexit) dominate reporting, the seemingly unstoppable momentum for Leaving falters. Each time, somebody else starts to question Brexit: “Remind me why we’re doing this again if it’s such a terrible idea?” The Brexiters know this.
When these issues (the real-world impact of Brexit) dominate reporting, the seemingly unstoppable momentum for Leaving falters. Each time, somebody else starts to question Brexit: “Remind me why we’re doing this again if it’s such a terrible idea?” The Brexiters know this.
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That’s why they keep changing the subject, throwing up eye-poppingly ridiculous or outrageous distractions. The monstrosity of what they say is the whole point and it gives the game away. Yes, they lose intellectual credibility each time - but do you think they are bothered..?
That’s why they keep changing the subject, throwing up eye-poppingly ridiculous or outrageous distractions. The monstrosity of what they say is the whole point and it gives the game away. Yes, they lose intellectual credibility each time - but do you think they are bothered..?
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No. Thanks to Article 50, time is on their side. All they care about is getting Brexit over the line on schedule so it becomes politically irreversible. They keep talking about ‘the will of the people’. But perish the thought that ‘the people’ be allowed to have 2nd thoughts!
No. Thanks to Article 50, time is on their side. All they care about is getting Brexit over the line on schedule so it becomes politically irreversible. They keep talking about ‘the will of the people’. But perish the thought that ‘the people’ be allowed to have 2nd thoughts!
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So when Boris Johnson & Jacob Rees-Mogg & the endless supply of pro-Brexit non-entities keep queuing up to make fools of themselves with these outrageous or ridiculous statements, it’s *not* because they’re fools. Quite the reverse. They know exactly what they are doing.
So when Boris Johnson & Jacob Rees-Mogg & the endless supply of pro-Brexit non-entities keep queuing up to make fools of themselves with these outrageous or ridiculous statements, it’s *not* because they’re fools. Quite the reverse. They know exactly what they are doing.
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*We* are the fools if we don’t realise this. In their eyes, they are accepting a bit of public humiliation & vilification for a noble cause: delivering the sacred Brexit.
*We* are the fools if we don’t realise this. In their eyes, they are accepting a bit of public humiliation & vilification for a noble cause: delivering the sacred Brexit.
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Their team is minutes away from winning the World Cup. The opposition is pressing for an equaliser. They are the player who commits a foul before a goal opportunity develops and “takes a yellow card for the team”. Plus many of them like Johnson & Rees-Mogg like the attention!
Their team is minutes away from winning the World Cup. The opposition is pressing for an equaliser. They are the player who commits a foul before a goal opportunity develops and “takes a yellow card for the team”. Plus many of them like Johnson & Rees-Mogg like the attention!
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For us Remainers, the bad news is two-fold...
For us Remainers, the bad news is two-fold...
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The first piece of bad news: time is running out to stop the Brexit juggernaut. A deal has to be agreed by October; if not, no-deal Brexit looms, unless Article 50 is revoked. But with no major mainstream political figure publicly contemplating this, it looks most unlikely.
The first piece of bad news: time is running out to stop the Brexit juggernaut. A deal has to be agreed by October; if not, no-deal Brexit looms, unless Article 50 is revoked. But with no major mainstream political figure publicly contemplating this, it looks most unlikely.
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Second piece of bad news: the Brexiters’ technique of setting the agenda by saying stupid and/or outrageous things works. Our Remoany, evidence-loving, empirical brains are hardwired to respond to this shit. We can’t help ourselves. And the media feeds off controversy. Bingo!
Second piece of bad news: the Brexiters’ technique of setting the agenda by saying stupid and/or outrageous things works. Our Remoany, evidence-loving, empirical brains are hardwired to respond to this shit. We can’t help ourselves. And the media feeds off controversy. Bingo!
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But there are also two pieces of good news...
But there are also two pieces of good news...
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First piece of good news: time may be against us but the tide *is* turning. The fact that the Brexiters keep having to resort to increasingly desperate ‘dead cat’ distractions shows they are panicked. They have no answer when the national conversation is about Brexit impacts.
First piece of good news: time may be against us but the tide *is* turning. The fact that the Brexiters keep having to resort to increasingly desperate ‘dead cat’ distractions shows they are panicked. They have no answer when the national conversation is about Brexit impacts.
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Second piece of good news: their technique is very effective but it is *not* unbeatable. It’s almost impossible not to respond to their ‘dead cats’ but the key is to stay focused on *our* agenda...
Second piece of good news: their technique is very effective but it is *not* unbeatable. It’s almost impossible not to respond to their ‘dead cats’ but the key is to stay focused on *our* agenda...
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Respond swiftly & scornfully to the ‘dead cats’, then move the discussion immediately back onto the *impact of Brexit*. On the economy. On families. On communities. On friends & neighbours who are part of the 3 million. On the UK’s international reputation... Give examples.
Respond swiftly & scornfully to the ‘dead cats’, then move the discussion immediately back onto the *impact of Brexit*. On the economy. On families. On communities. On friends & neighbours who are part of the 3 million. On the UK’s international reputation... Give examples.
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Another good technique is just to *point out what they are doing*. “X is trying to distract us with this ridiculous/offensive/divisive/bizarre comment. It’s as if he/she is afraid to discuss the defining issue facing the country: the *damage* that Brexit is doing [expand].”
Another good technique is just to *point out what they are doing*. “X is trying to distract us with this ridiculous/offensive/divisive/bizarre comment. It’s as if he/she is afraid to discuss the defining issue facing the country: the *damage* that Brexit is doing [expand].”
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Remember: stay focused. Don’t be distracted. Understand what they are trying to do. We talk about what we need to talk about, not what they want us to talk about. Don’t let them manipulate you to serve their agenda.// #BrexitShambles #LeaveLiars #twats
Remember: stay focused. Don’t be distracted. Understand what they are trying to do. We talk about what we need to talk about, not what they want us to talk about. Don’t let them manipulate you to serve their agenda.// #BrexitShambles #LeaveLiars #twats
PS
👇 is v good: applies same thinking in relation to US gun control debate. Partially inspired my thread, though it reflects my own long-standing thinking based on close study of the communication techniques used by Brexiters during EUref & subsequently.
👇 is v good: applies same thinking in relation to US gun control debate. Partially inspired my thread, though it reflects my own long-standing thinking based on close study of the communication techniques used by Brexiters during EUref & subsequently.
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PPS
Remember the bus? What they are doing is a reprise of that. And we are falling for it again. @MikeH_PR has over time also helped me to understand better what the Leavers are up to when they say things that seem stupid.
Remember the bus? What they are doing is a reprise of that. And we are falling for it again. @MikeH_PR has over time also helped me to understand better what the Leavers are up to when they say things that seem stupid.
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