Another week, another controversial set of controversial remarks from Nigel Farage — this time, it’s about the use of the word ‘chinky’ by Kerry Smith, who was running to be the Ukip PPC in South Basildon and East Thurrock.
During his LBC phone-in show this morning, Farage had the following exchange with presenter Nick Ferrari about why he is ‘sad’ about Smith’s decision to resign from Ukip:
‘Farage: Because Kerry Smith is a rough diamond, he’s a council house boy from the east end of London, left school early and talks and speaks in a way a lot of people from that background do. We can pretend if we like…
Ferrari: So if you’re from a council house, you say poofter do you?
Farage: No, no no. If you and your mates were going out for a Chinese, what do you say you are going for?
Ferrari: I would honestly not use the word chinky. Would you?
Farage: A lot of people would
Ferrari: Would you?
Farage: No, but a lot of people would…I don’t think I’ve ever used that word. But the point is this, I feel a bit sorry for Kerry Smith because he’s a genuine fella. I think even the poofter comment, the next sentence he was saying how good another candidate was and the fact he was gay be an asset to the party.
I think he’s had a tough time – however, he’s not suitable to be a parliamentary candidate. I think we’re very snobbish in London about condemning people, perhaps for the colloquial language they use, particularly if it’s not meant with really unpleasant intent.
Ferrari: You said council house, he’s a rough diamond from a council house background. Just to explore that a bit further…that is where people say chinky and poofter?
Farage: Kerry himself said that he used language that Del Boy used to use on ‘Only Fools and Horses’ and nobody objected then. Kerry Smith is not fit to be a Parliamentary candidate, I don’t think that in the comments he used he meant malice, that’s the only point I’m making.’
Farage is right that some will feel uncomfortable hearing a politician defending the use of the word ‘chinky’ and ‘poofter’ in any circumstances, especially when these words are open to misinterpretation — but what about his Parliamentary colleagues?
Coffee House reached out to Douglas Carswell, the Ukip MP for Clacton, who declined to comment on Farage's remarks. Carswell responded to say he was travelling to his constituency and was 'not in a position to comment’ right now.
Mark Reckless, the Ukip member for Rochester and Strood, also declined to comment. ‘I am not aware of his remarks and I have no comment to make’, he said, also noting that he has been focused on the legal action the Tories are pursuing against him.
This is odd, as both men — particularly Carswell — have always been known as outspoken, bold types who like to have a good robust debate. Carswell himself said 'we should welcome those that want to come here to contribute' and 'On the subject of immigration, let me make it absolutely clear; I'm not against immigration' when he defected.
Perhaps both feel that they have had to go from backbench mavericks in the Tory party to well-polished representatives of Ukip who defend, rather than criticise, their own party.
UPDATE: A Ukip source has been in touch to point out that the Broadcasting Standards Commission ruled in 2002 over a BBC programme that the phrase 'chinky' was 'typical of this plain-speaking and earthy supporting character'. The BSC said in the context of that programme, the word had no racist connotations — similarly to what Farage said on LBC today. This doesn't mean that some folks, like Nick Ferrari, won't feel uncomfortable with his stance on the phrase.
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