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HomeInternational NewsFar-Right Commentator Loves the UK So Much She Has Moved to Dubai

Far-Right Commentator Loves the UK So Much She Has Moved to Dubai

Let us start here:

and then assess this peculiar twist of irony: Isabel Oakeshott, the far-right commentator known for her fervent support of so-called British traditions and ideals, has relocated to Dubai. Her move has drawn significant attention, not least because it highlights the tension between the patriotic rhetoric of many far-right figures and their personal choices.

A Tale of Two Worlds

One weekend might see Isabel Oakeshott enjoying the classic charms of Skegness, a quintessential British seaside town. The next, she could be found lounging in the luxurious private beach clubs of Dubai. Such contrasts define her life, which now straddles the UK and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Her partner, Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK and MP for Boston and Skegness, has also embraced this dual lifestyle, frequently travelling to Dubai to visit her.

Oakeshott’s move has been partially attributed to her children’s education, as she cited dissatisfaction with Labour’s “pernicious tax on private schools” as a key factor. No mention, of course, of the cuts to disability payments or the continued attack on poor people, however. Dubai, with its booming economy and ‘world-class’ private schools, seemed an attractive alternative. “The UAE offers endless opportunities,” she said, while criticising the UK’s ‘high taxes and restrictive policies’. Her decision underscores a growing trend of wealthy individuals seeking refuge in more tax-friendly environments, where they get richer and screw the rest.

Richard Tice: A Foot in Both Camps

Richard Tice, a prominent voice in Reform UK, splits his time between his Lincolnshire constituency, the House of Commons, and the UAE. Despite the geographical distance, Tice insists he remains fully committed to his parliamentary duties.

“I’m in the top 10 of backbench speakers,” he asserted, pointing to his active participation in parliamentary debates. However, his enthusiasm for Dubai is evident. “My family built their first skyscraper there in the 1970s. I’ve known the place for a long time, and its growth is amazing,” he said. By contrast, Tice lamented the UK’s economic stagnation, describing it as “going to hell in a handcart” under the current government. No mention of actually being in hell under the previous right-wing governments.

Tice’s rhetoric aligns with Reform UK’s broader critique of the government, which they accuse of stifling growth with ‘high taxes, excessive regulation, and an unwavering commitment to net zero policies’. His frequent visits to Dubai seem to reinforce the party’s argument that the UK is becoming increasingly unlivable for “smart people” and “wealth creators.” For a man who merely inherited his family’s wealth, that appears to be a very strange definition of ‘smart’.

The Oakeshott Perspective

Isabel Oakeshott’s career has long been defined by her outspoken political commentary and staunch advocacy for conservative values. As the international editor at TalkTV and a columnist for the Daily Telegraph, she continues to influence public opinion from abroad.

Her relocation has raised eyebrows, not only for its symbolic significance but also for its practical implications. Critics argue that her move to Dubai undermines her credibility as a champion of British nationalism. Oakeshott, however, sees no contradiction. “I continue to support Richard in every possible way as we pursue our shared ambition for a thriving Britain from which wealth creators and so many others are not tempted to flee,” the inherited multimillionaire’s partner responded.

The move also illustrates her deep dissatisfaction with the UK’s current direction. For Oakeshott, Dubai represents a dynamic, opportunity-rich environment, in stark contrast to what she perceives as a declining Britain.

Reform UK: A Party of Paradoxes

Reform UK, born from the ashes of Ukip, has seen a recent surge in popularity, particularly in Scotland, where it is outpacing the Tories in polls. The party’s message of economic liberalism and opposition to net zero policies resonates with a disillusioned electorate. Yet, its leaders’ personal choices complicate its narrative.

Nigel Farage, the party’s leader and a key figure in Brexit, has reportedly been too preoccupied with international engagements to visit Tice and Oakeshott in Dubai. This detail highlights the paradox at the heart of Reform UK: its leaders’ international pursuits seem at odds with their calls for renewed focus on Britain’s sovereignty and independence. They are too busy getting rich by spreading their pernicious and unworkable ideology and spending very little time celebrating the ideals and practices of democracy.

Lessons from Dubai

Both Tice and Oakeshott have praised Dubai’s rapid development and economic vitality. “Lessons can be learnt from international experience,” Tice said, pointing to the UAE’s low taxes and minimal regulation as examples for Britain to emulate.

Dubai’s success story is undeniable, built on a foundation of free-market policies, strategic investment, and an openness to international talent. However, it is scary that they never mention that the UAE’s economic model, which is heavily reliant on low-paid migrant labour and strict authoritarian governance, cannot be replicated in a democratic society like the UK. Although, for generations, there has been an attempt to create the former.

The Broader Implications

Oakeshott’s move to Dubai raises important questions about the state of the UK and the motivations of its political and media elites. While Tice and Oakeshott publicly lament Britain’s so-called decline, their decision to embrace a life in Dubai suggests a lack of faith in the country’s ability to recover. For critics, this amounts to hypocrisy, as they argue that true patriots should stay and work to address the UK’s challenges rather than seeking greener pastures abroad.

Supporters, however, view their move as a pragmatic response to an increasingly inhospitable environment for very rich people who have huge amounts of inherited wealth. By highlighting Dubai’s successes, Tice and Oakeshott hope to inspire a reassessment of Britain’s policies and priorities and lie through their teeth about the realities of capitalism.

The glaring hypocrisy of Reform UK’s leadership, criticising Britain’s supposed decline while simultaneously abandoning it for more favourable climes, casts a Nosferatu-sized shadow over their credibility. For a party that claims to champion British values and sovereignty, their leaders’ choices seem to signal that their commitment to the nation’s future ends where personal convenience begins. This dissonance raises the question: How can those who perpetually run away ever really care?

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