Actor, comedian and Brexiteer John Cleese has lashed out at the city of London for its continued support of the European Union and being firmly against Brexit.
The 79-year-old, best known for his role in Fawlty Towers and as a part of Monty Python's Flying Circus, has been a strong advocate of leaving the EU even prior to the 2016 referendum.
However, in an outburst on Twitter on Wednesday morning, Cleese claimed that 'London was not really an English city any more' [sic] and that 'virtually all of his friends from abroad have confirmed my observation'.
In finished the tweet by noting that London did vote for Remain, in some sort of vague attempt to show that the capital of the country somehow wasn't patriotic anymore.
Some years ago I opined that London was not really an English city any more
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) May 29, 2019
Since then, virtually all my friends from abroad have confirmed my observation
So there must be some truth in it...
I note also that London was the UK city that voted most strongly to remain in the EU
However, his attempts to criticise London for being pro-EU has backfired massively, with many mocking the star for his questionable take on the subject - especially when he lived in Los Angeles for the best part of 20 years in the 80s and 90s, before confirming last year that he has plans to move to the Caribbean island of Nevis as he was reportedly 'depressed' about the Brexit debate and the actions of 'right-wing governments'.
John Cleese is in the process of moving to Nevis, in the Caribbean. I hope there's a old Nevisian comedian ready to moan about how Charlestown won't "really be a Nevisian town any more." Goddamn immigrants. https://t.co/jp8WA3gLgn
— Caitlin Moran (@caitlinmoran) May 29, 2019
What’s an “English” city, then, sir?
— Legend of Aurora 🏴☠️ (@jocastarora) May 29, 2019
A place in England welcoming people from all over the world, particularly the commonwealth?
A place where the vast majority speak English as a first language?
A place where England’s govt and traditions are enshrined?
Or...just a white place?
London is an amazing city, and it's packed-full of people from all over the world, so perhaps that amazingness is a result of that same multiculturalism? Anyway, to me London seems very English, and I only wish that more of England was as English as London - open, fun, diverse.
— William G. Saraband 🏴🇵🇹🏳️🌈 (@wgsaraband) May 29, 2019
What the hell is an English city? Is Edinburgh a Scottish city any@more considering how many English live there?
— Gregor Findlay (@Gr3g0rF) May 29, 2019
English city! The arrogance from a nation that for centuries invaded other countries and took their resources and made them British countries and before that English!
In what sense is London 'not an English city any more?' Has it levitated up and gone sailin' into the stratosphere like Blake's New Jerusalem? Is it 'alf 'ere and 'alf in the land of the bloomin' pixies? Is it vanished into the mist like bloody Brigadoon? https://t.co/Ca8GojUDHV
— Adrian Bott (@Cavalorn) May 29, 2019
Hi I'm John Cleese. Today I'll be complaining there are too many immigrants in London from my home where I live in the Caribbean.
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) May 29, 2019
Others took aim at his comedy career, which wasn't afraid to exploit stereotypes or foreign accents for a laugh.
you hired a Spanish man to work at your hotel, hypocrite
— The Discourse Lover (@Trillburne) May 29, 2019
the only thing damaging British culture here is John Cleese turning out to be a bigot and thus spoiling the enjoyment of his back-catalogue https://t.co/zPaOLRgMyE
— Jon Stone (@joncstone) May 29, 2019
My favourite Monty Python sketch is the one where all of John Cleese’s friends from abroad came to London at the same time, encountered each other, and declared it wasn’t English anymore https://t.co/VfRzHhzWbM
— Vinay Patel (@VinayPatel) May 29, 2019
no one expects the spanish [redacted]
— Rhys James (@rhysjamesy) May 29, 2019
Some also pointed out that London was hardly an 'English city' when it was first created.
but what have the Romans ever done for us.
— Jack Nunn (@jacknunn) May 29, 2019
Sorry, couldn't resist...
You mean your expat pals in Spain who refuse to speak Spanish or...
— Roisin O'Connor (@Roisin_OConnor) May 29, 2019
Also: London was never an 'English city' - it was founded by Romans 🤷♀️ https://t.co/fTYvUiJx87
London. Est AD47 by the Romans, abandoned and then under Anglo-Saxon rule - literally known as Migration Period - ransacked by Vikings. 1000 years ago the crowning place of the 1st Norman King of England where it was home to a large jewish community before the edict of expulsion https://t.co/fvFoJ7s1Ac
— wrongtom (@TheWrongtom) May 29, 2019
Incidentally, Cleese seems to be alone among his Monty Python alumni on Brexit, with Michael Palin telling the Radio Times in 2016 that he felt 'ashamed' of the racism that it had unleashed.
I don’t think the British as a whole are racist at all.
But there are some who are pretty vicious, and I’m ashamed of the racial attacks and people being shouted out in the street or told to go home, ‘Now it’s our country.’
But these are shameful people and it makes me think, with Brexit, where is the better land that we’ve got?
What is this better world? Is it really any better, or is it just a world where people can be abusive?
Meanwhile, Eric Idle has shared his support for a second EU referendum whilst Terry Gilliam branded Cleese an 'idiot' in a 2018 interview with AFP for his support of Brexit.
HT Yahoo
More: Leave voter explains in viral Twitter thread why he can no longer support Brexit
