Breitbart London editor in chief Raheem Kassam impressed TalkRADIO host James Whale who called him “energised” and “really on the button” in an interview Wednesday morning.
In the latest media appearance since announcing his bid for the leadership of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), Breitbart London editor in chief Raheem Kassam took questions from TalkRADIO broadcaster James Whale Wednesday morning on issues ranging from sustaining the NHS to how to deal with nations like Saudi Arabia.
By the end of the interview, Mr. Whale stated that Kassam was the first “energised” UKIP politician that he had spoken to since Nigel Farage, saying that “there may be a future for UKIP”.
The first issue addressed by Mr. Kassam was the state of the National Health Service which has experienced funding problems, long waiting times, and overcrowding for years. Mr. Whale asked what Kassam thought, if he becomes UKIP leader, would be the best way to raise more money for the NHS: raising taxes or privatisation?
The premise of the question and choices of answer didn’t hold water with Kassam who said that the question was flawed because it looked at the problem from a Keynesian economic perspective. He said that instead of thinking of how to raise more money, all government agencies need to be more transparent with the money they spend and look to saving on needless costs.
Kassam went on to say that he didn’t believe in privatising certain public agencies – like the NHS or the railways – though wasn’t against the concept in other areas. He also pointed out the problems with moving on public sector workers from job to job regardless of their performance, and their lucrative benefits packages.
Whale turned the conversation to foreign policy, asking the UKIP candidate what his position would be on dealing with countries like Saudi Arabia who do not respect fundamental human rights.
According to Kassam, UK politicians deal freely with those countries because they care only about money. He said that British politicians need to project British culture outwards, and look to the history and traditions of Britain rather than solely make decisions based on economic outcomes.
“Our politicians have lost the idea of what it is to be British,” Kassam said, and decried the recent history of Britain aiding in American interventionism saying, “we should stand on our own, that’s what Brexit was about”.
On the subject of the Calais Jungle and the recent government decision to allow underage migrants into the UK, Kassam said that there needed to be more transparency. He added that due to many of the migrants not actually being minors that so-called underage migrants should all be processed with background and dental checks to ensure they are who they claim to be.
Kassam announced his bid for leadership of UKIP shortly after the surprise resignation earlier this month of newly-elected leader Diane James. So far, Kassam is the odds-on favourite to win the leadership contest, has promised to unify the divided party, and to develop UKIP into main opposition party under the slogan “Make UKIP Great Again”.