Nigel Farage has been duly roasted online for his outrage over Australia controlling its borders - in a twist that no one saw coming, given his anti-immigration stance and all...
The former Brexit Party leader took to Twitter to complain about tennis star Novak Djokovic not being allowed into the country due to being unvaccinated and having the wrong visa - although a judge has since overturned his visa cancellation.
Last week, when news emerged that Djokovic’s visa had been cancelled, Farage posted a link to a BBC article about the news that Australia had cancelled the tennis player’s visa, and captioned it: “Is Australia now a banana republic?”
Is Australia now a banana republic?https://t.co/Xx2oBWyyBf
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) January 5, 2022
A banana republic is a derogatory term referring to a non-democratic or politically unstable country that, economically, relies heavily on the exportation of goods, such as bananas, and is often under foreign influence with a lot of corruption.
In a bizarre turn of events, Farage is now in the Serbian capital, Belgrade after being invited to visit the Djokovic family.
During his update, he described the judge’s ruling to overturn Djokovic’s visa cancellation as a “big victory for freedom of choice, a big victory for common sense,” and also a “really big victory against the big state.”
An update on #Djokovic from Belgrade. pic.twitter.com/J7gi5232EL
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) January 10, 2022
But, it didn’t take long for many to point out to Farage that the country is simply exercising its right to control its borders – exactly what Farage himself was campaigning for the UK during the EU referendum.
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Journalist, Otto English pointed out for someone who has spent their political career arguing for the “unelected foreign bureaucrats” at the EU to “butt out”, Farage has well and truly plonked himself in the middle of a situation that has nothing to do with the UK or Farage himself.
Wonder if the Nigel Farage, currently in Belgrade, interfering in Australian internal affairs, is related to the Nigel Farage who spent a decade telling 'unelected foreign bureacrats' to 'butt out' of British affairs. https://t.co/c4qA8qUFw6
— Otto English (@Otto_English) January 10, 2022
Pundit and former footballer, Gary Lineker tweeted in response to Farage’s Belgrade video: “Great to see Farage making a stand against strong border controls. Looking forward to him doing the same here, even if he does wear a really silly hat.”
Great to see Farage making a stand against strong border controls. Looking forward to him doing the same here, even if he does wear a really silly hat. https://t.co/ywdUBMVSnV
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) January 10, 2022
Piers Morgan responded to Farage’s “banana republic” comment last week, and wrote: “I believe it’s called ‘controlling your border’, Nigel….”
I believe it’s called ‘controlling your border’, Nigel…. https://t.co/XRVvUC1XN2
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 5, 2022
While others created some appropriate memes that perfectly sums up the situation.
— Cold War Steve (@Coldwar_Steve) January 10, 2022
#Farage #Djokovic pic.twitter.com/wJPSn9EXTI
— HappyToast ★ (@IamHappyToast) January 10, 2022
"There's a boat out there with world championship tennis players in it and Border Force won't let them in. Its outrageous!" pic.twitter.com/ET9tAWWWeC
— Jon Newton (@MrJonNewton) January 5, 2022
So Mr Farage, what was it that got you interested in the plight of multi millionaire Novac Djokovic ? pic.twitter.com/VZANI1snKV
— Andrew Winslet (@andrew_winslet) January 9, 2022
‘In the Trophy Room’ with Nigel Farage and Djordje Djokovic 🎾 https://t.co/wCnelsOT8Z pic.twitter.com/Ha6hxk8XuX
— Accidental Partridge (@AccidentalP) January 10, 2022
Fixed it. 👍 pic.twitter.com/qGmZdcV5x2
— GET A GRIP (@docrussjackson) January 9, 2022
Here are some more reactions from over the past week to Farage’s sudden pro-immigration stance in this case.
Nigel Farage complaining about someone being turned away at a border. What a year already. https://t.co/lFcD8G2u6Q
— Connor McLean (@connormcleaanx) January 5, 2022
Leading advocate of Britain being able to control its borders criticises Australia for (checks notes) controlling its border https://t.co/0tBRCiuxCg
— Kevin T (@notsouniquename) January 6, 2022
Nigel Farage.
— 𝗢𝗹𝗶 ⭐ (@01ivi3r1u6) January 10, 2022
Likes: controlling borders, Australia-style points system, Novak Djokovic.
Dislikes: Australia controlling its borders, Eastern Europeans. https://t.co/Q1FgtD3EHP
Djokovic: “Sure Nige, I would love to see you, come to Belgrade and we’ll hang out.”
— Brendan Cox (@MrBrendanCox) January 9, 2022
Nige “what now?”
Djokovic: “the perfect week” https://t.co/u7IN2ygksR
New James Bond film looks shit. https://t.co/HqqyxzZ6Ne
— Morgi (@danmorgi34) January 10, 2022
Fascinating update from a man who promoted an “Australian-style immigration policy” and berated anybody getting involved in other nation’s political affairs. Also, he looks utterly ludicrous. https://t.co/4A5MTpZaXA
— Dom Joly (@domjoly) January 10, 2022
"I am currently in Belgrade, interfering in Australian internal affairs, but I had spent a decade telling 'unelected foreign bureaucrats' to 'butt out' of British affairs. True or False?" pic.twitter.com/PNgX59yvDP
— Mr Doyle presents for you...💙 FBPA / FBPRR / BLM (@doyley14) January 10, 2022
Surely Australia should have a right to control its borders?
— Sean Antrim (@sean_antrim) January 10, 2022
Let’s not forget Farage also told Andy Murray to “concentrate on the tennis” when the tennis star called him out over his hypocrisy over this matter.
You truly couldn’t make it up.
indy100 has contacted Nigel Farage’s representative for comment over his abrupt change of tune.
