Web trolls target Michael Caine after he hails Brexit
I’d rather be a poor master than a rich servant, says actor
SIR Michael Caine hailed Brexit as a vote for freedom from rule by ‘faceless civil servants’ yesterday.
But while some praised the 84-yearold film star for his ‘sane’ views that ‘hit the nail on the head’, he faced a torrent of abuse from Remain-supporting internet trolls who branded him an ‘old and senile bigot’.
Sir Michael said he was confident leaving the EU would be ‘all right’, adding: ‘I voted for Brexit. What it is with me, I’d rather be a poor master than a rich servant.
‘It wasn’t about the racism, immigrants or anything – it was about freedom.’
Speaking to Sky News, he added: ‘Politics is always chaotic. In politics, you’re always going into areas you’ve never been before, so you’re going to get lost and then you’re going to find your way, and then it’ll be all right.’ The Italian Job actor came out in support of leaving the EU before last year’s referendum, leading former Ukip leader Nigel Farage to recall his famous line from the film and proclaim: ‘Let’s blow the bloody doors off!’
In the run-up to the vote, Sir Michael admitted quitting the EU would be ‘scary’ but said the UK should not be dictated to by ‘thousands of faceless civil servants’.
After his comments yesterday, many social media users poured scorn on him, with some even wishing he would die.
But others defended him. One tweeted: ‘ All this hatred for Sir Michael Caine just because he supports Brexit. Aren’t Remainers meant to be “tolerant”?’
Another wrote: ‘A patriotic celeb. Makes a change.’ The row came amid new turmoil for Ukip after its former MP Mark Reckless – who defected from the Tories in 2014 – said he was quitting the party to join the Conservative group in the Welsh Assembly.
He praised the ‘exemplary’ leadership of Theresa May. The Tories said Mr Reckless had joined the party’s group in the assembly but had not become a party member.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister insisted yesterday there were no ‘no-go’ areas in next month’s local elections as she appealed to Brexiteers and Labour supporters across the country to vote Tory.
She insisted the Tory party was the only one serving ordinary working people.
Other parties were ‘devoted’ to ‘talking down’ the UK, Mrs May said, adding: ‘Only the Conservatives have a plan for Britain.’ She urged Brexiteers who had voted for the first time in years in the referendum to go to the polls again.
The Tories are set to pick up more than 100 extra council seats in May, according to electoral analysis. Experts predicted major wins for the Tories in local elections and the worst result for Labour since 1985, with the party likely to lose 125 seats.
Launching the Tories’ local election campaign at Calverton village hall in Nottinghamshire yester- day, the Prime Minister said: ‘These local elections present a clear and informative choice.
‘The competence of a strong Conservative council, focused on the priorities of local people, keeping local taxes down and delivering high-quality local services.
‘Or the chaos and disarray of the rest – political parties motivated not by what is best for local areas, but what is best for their own partisan political interest.’