Page 14 | A casual friend has just told me she's standing as a Reform candidate

Sirzy · 05/04/2025 17:46

To me standing for the party would be the thing that made me keep my distance. To be so passionate about a party who was so opposite to my views would make me question things.

It’s different when it’s just people voting for them, as much as I could never I can sort of see why some people would pick them without believing most of what they say.

whathaveiforgotten · 05/04/2025 17:44

surreygirlzz · 05/04/2025 16:25

I would not give a hoot
I have friends are are very left wing which is something I am most certainly not
Some who are more centre
and some who are more right
I have mates who are atheist
Sikh
Jewish
Buddhist
What is more important to me is that we support each other and trust each other and are close
If you only have friends in your own narrow mindset be that left right or anything else its very narrow minded and inward looking
of course anyone who does that will say that their friend is narrow minded an not see the contradiction

Could you really see a friend as supportive of you and your family if you had a black partner, mixed race sons and they chose to stand for a party with a long standing history of racist remarks being made by multiple candidates?

LlynTegid · 05/04/2025 17:44

You can focus on one of a number of policies or actions, take your pick. The lack of proper vetting so that someone who regards Jimmy Savile as a hero did not have their social media checked. The wish to end the NHS and replace with private insurance. Their energy policy. Or even that only one of their four MPs actually seems to do much work as one.

Goldenbear · 05/04/2025 17:38

Wow, did you see that coming OP?

Maitri108 · 05/04/2025 17:38

I would treat her like I would treat a Trump candidate; very warily.

SerendipityJane · 05/04/2025 17:37

Icanthinkformyselfthanks · 05/04/2025 17:23

@LaurieFairyCake , Reform have thrown out the racists they’ve uncovered. Doesn’t that suggest that the Party isn’t racist?

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Have they denounced Putin ? Has their owner denounced Putin ?

Or, to put it another way, what do you agree with about Putins invasion of Ukraine ?

CaptainMyCaptain · 05/04/2025 17:34

MaggieBsBoat · 05/04/2025 17:21

It is possible to like people and be friends with those whom we disagree on things. I have a friend who is a raving TRA. I also have a few racist pals and my DH is quite right wing. My kids are not white and I’m a TERF. Just don’t promise her your vote.

How can you have non-white kids and have racist friends? I couldn't.

pancakestastelikecrepe · 05/04/2025 17:31

Mumblechum0 · 05/04/2025 15:25

And I have no clue how to respond.

I've always liked her, we're not close, ie don't do anything just the two of us, but are often in the same group at parties, book group, joint birthday bashes etc.

She's very posh, professional job, husband's a head fund manager (he walks round in a tweed cap and goes shooting on his family estate etc etc...just setting the scene, she's well educated etc.)

Anyway, she messaged me yesterday to say that she wanted me to know in advance that she's standing as a Reform candidate in our local elections; she didn't ask for my support, but didn't want me to just see her face on a leaflet through the door.

I'm married to a black man, have a mixed race son.

I haven't responded yet, as I don't know whether it's best to just ignore, or to say thanks for letting me know, or actually to say I'm quite horrified (which is my actual reaction).

Any ideas?

Call me a cynic, but AS IF 🙄

Yorkshirelass04 · 05/04/2025 17:31

PandoraSox · 05/04/2025 17:27

Have you forgotten how Farage and co. acted over the Southport murders? The riots that ensued?

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Exactly. Farage and his ilk like to stir the pot and then act all innocent when racists start rioting.
A bit like Trump and the Capitol riots. From the same playbook.

Sunshineonleeds · 05/04/2025 17:31

No need to respond, she will very probably have seen this thread!

TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum · 05/04/2025 17:31

How does she think her husbands hedge funds will be affected if a Reform government crash the economy as Trump is doing? I understand they basically want to do Luz Truss 2.0 if they are ever in power. Seems pretty stupid for her to be fighting for that.
I suppose "well educated" doesn't = intelligence.

PandoraSox · 05/04/2025 17:27

Icanthinkformyselfthanks · 05/04/2025 17:23

@LaurieFairyCake , Reform have thrown out the racists they’ve uncovered. Doesn’t that suggest that the Party isn’t racist?

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Have you forgotten how Farage and co. acted over the Southport murders? The riots that ensued?

Ihavepandassurvivalinstinct · 05/04/2025 17:26

JaniceBattersby · 05/04/2025 17:23

Ask her how she feels about Reform’s manifesto statement that ‘multiculturalism has imported separate communities that reject our way of life’ in the context of your black husband and mixed race son, then block her.

Tbf... There are such communities.... There are parallel societies and that is actually big issue which needs to be looked at how to remedy that. It's not racist to say that. Multiculturalism is supposed to be people living together, not separately.
So the statement is not wrong as such.

user31908734289 · 05/04/2025 17:25

You shouldn’t discuss money, religion or politics with anyone for a peaceful life!
Our local reform candidate was black so I wouldn’t automatically assume she’s a frothing racist.

pancakestastelikecrepe · 05/04/2025 17:24

What's a Head Fund, OP?

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 05/04/2025 17:24

MaggieBsBoat · 05/04/2025 17:21

It is possible to like people and be friends with those whom we disagree on things. I have a friend who is a raving TRA. I also have a few racist pals and my DH is quite right wing. My kids are not white and I’m a TERF. Just don’t promise her your vote.

Why would you be friends with people who you think are racist?

I have a need to believe that my friends are good people. Do you not care? Or do you not think racism is bad?

JaniceBattersby · 05/04/2025 17:23

Ask her how she feels about Reform’s manifesto statement that ‘multiculturalism has imported separate communities that reject our way of life’ in the context of your black husband and mixed race son, then block her.

Icanthinkformyselfthanks · 05/04/2025 17:23

LaurieFairyCake · 05/04/2025 15:59

I would say “did you know I was married to a black man and my son was dual heritage? I ask because so many have been thrown out of the Reform party for being racist. It’s fine if you’re telling me this so I will know why you won’t talk to me in public anymore”.

😉

@LaurieFairyCake , Reform have thrown out the racists they’ve uncovered. Doesn’t that suggest that the Party isn’t racist?

LizzieSiddal · 05/04/2025 17:23

We’ve stop socialising with two sets of people due to their political persuasions. They were both Brexiteers but we kind of agreed to differ on that but when they stated praising the “virtues” of firstly that first class liar Johnson, then Farage, we decided we didn’t want to spend our leisure time with them. It’s perfectly acceptable to make that decision if you want to.

Yorkshirelass04 · 05/04/2025 17:22

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 05/04/2025 16:29

Bullshit. That would mean there were no racists at all voting Labour or Conservative which there so clearly are.
Probably a lot fewer now they have Reform to switch to but many people are tribal voters who never change.

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What i said was materially true.

Reform have proven time and time again they attract the little Englander type who are obsessed with immigrants and Muslim.gangs etc etc. Racists will flock to Reform.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 05/04/2025 17:22

Mumof2girls2121 · 05/04/2025 17:19

just because you stand for reform does not make you a racist
you think all those privileged white Etonian conservatives don’t have racial bias ?

I think lots of privileged white Etonian conservatives absolutely do have racial biases, but that doesn't lead me to believe that Reform are any less racist. Why would it?

Reform is a fundamentally racist party. The presence of racists in other parties doesn't make Reform any less racist.

MaggieBsBoat · 05/04/2025 17:21

It is possible to like people and be friends with those whom we disagree on things. I have a friend who is a raving TRA. I also have a few racist pals and my DH is quite right wing. My kids are not white and I’m a TERF. Just don’t promise her your vote.

Mumof2girls2121 · 05/04/2025 17:19

just because you stand for reform does not make you a racist
you think all those privileged white Etonian conservatives don’t have racial bias ?

ilovesooty · 05/04/2025 17:18

I might neutrally acknowledge the information but I'd be consciously distancing myself.

Whoarethoseguys · 05/04/2025 17:18

I think I would just respond to say not to canvass as your house as she won't be getting your vote
I don't think I could stay friends with someone who supported Reform