AIBU to be utterly baffled at how many people are falling for Reform after the Brexit mess?

It's the X Factor version of politics. Plausible conmen promising simple solutions to complex problems. See also Trump and Johnson. And Brexit. Remember when Johnson was predicted to be in power forever if he hadn't shot himself in the foot so spectacularly?
Stop The Boats! Get Brexit Done! Oven Ready Deal! It's nauseating.

The sound bite, clickbait media is ushering the Reform party into power because the likes of Farage are more entertaining than boring old policy.

The main parties are working against the interests of working people and in favour of the international wealth, that’s why. They are all in it together and they all lie. We are desperate. These show up Labours latest lies.

https://fullfact.org/politics/2025-spending-review/

https://equalitytrust.org.uk/news/in-the-news/reaction-to-the-2025-spending-review/

I despair OP. Politics has just become populist nonsense, the world and the country are falling apart and we have zero choice of anyone that isn’t self-serving, who actually believes in something and can actually do anything to lead us out of this mess. It’s depressing and I can’t see a way out of it. So I just stop thinking about it tbh. Everytime I turn on the news it just leaves me angry or depressed.

Instead of blaming the voters - can you explain why this socially slightly more conservative/economically more socialist bloc have no other political channels through which to express themselves - and why it is you believe this position is a result of political illiteracy? What is wrong with this position

I’m not surprised at all, they can get away with weak policy because the voter bloc they are targeting aren’t the most politically or economically literate. They have identified a gap (socially right economically left) and are fully exploiting it for their own egos - but it will work. This voter bloc are otherwise politically homeless and so sceptical of the political norm they won’t listen to anyone who challenges the only party even trying to represent them.
Surprised - no?
Its a result of years of political mess and poor political and economic literacy in the working class.

I totally agree with! A few social media influencers are ‘influencing’ people too, mind you, go on comment section on social media and you can tell there is hardly a brain cell between the lot of them. They’ll get what they deserve and soon see that they are all lying scheming shits.

Not in local elections a year after Rishi was history. You said yourself that reopening libraries was popular.

One Word - Rishi!

National politics usually trumps local politics!

Why did Reform win then? You can’t have it both ways.

it's also the economic system we have. Everything is measured in the next quarter's GDP figures. So something that will pay off in the long run doesn't get done if there's no immediate benefit.

It's like austerity. The things they cut weren't valued because they don't see the economic benefits, but you take them away and you lose more in the long run. Community centres, cutting the police and mental health support etc etc.

County council actually wasn't that bad during the Tory reign. They re-opened several libraries shut by their Labour predecessors for a start which was very popular.

yabu in that you admit that current parties are a shower of lying grifters, but equally expect people to vote for them again as if by magic they are going to change. I dont think people voting reform are expecting magical change, just a two finger salute to the current parties. if reform are shite, they may not get voted in again, or they might as clearly being shite hasn't hindered any of the current parties.

How is a former Tory going to be any different because they’ve rebranded themselves? A rose by any other name and all that.

Indeed, the Tory and Labour parties have really screwed things up by not listening to the electorate for the past 2/3 decades.

You're coming across as benighted which is a shame as I was hoping to get some insight into current right wing thinking. The right is scattered at the moment and being pulled to the hard right, which must be difficult for moderates. The government are also emulating some very divisive rhetoric in order to pander to people who aren't even following what they're doing.

It's a shame people can't seem to have a straightforward discussion.

The ERG gave us Brexit. It doesn’t matter whether you think Starmer looks powerful or not. He’s the PM and he’s got an unassailable majority and another four years in power.

Sure, Starmer talking about the Island of Strangers - he looked really powerful as the tail being wagged by the Farage dog. Just like Cameron was and that gave us Brexit...

The last time I looked the left were in power and the Tories were decimated.

This is why you're losing.

What are you gibbering on about now? Don't worry, I know you can't answer simple questions.

Oh the irony! I admire your patience @MiloMinderbinder925.

You have no idea how you come across

I have no idea what you're talking about. Perhaps that's why the right are so unfathomable, it's like a secret language.

Proves the point. Suit yourself. It's not my disadvantage.

Yes I agree with your posts. This and the island of strangers one.