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AIBU?

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

362 replies

TheCoralShaker · 10/06/2025 22:20

I’m not into any political party or ideology – honestly, they all seem like varying shades of grifters to me – but I just can't believe how many people are jumping on the Reform bandwagon like it's some magic fix.

After everything that happened with Brexit – the lies, the infighting, the broken promises, the economic fallout we’re still wading through – how are people still falling for this kind of simplistic, shouty politics? The "common sense" soundbites, the "tell it like it is" nonsense, the constant scapegoating of whatever group is most convenient that week... it's all so transparent.

I'm not saying any of the main parties are perfect (far from it), but Reform seems to be just a bunch of media-savvy populists spouting whatever will get the loudest headlines. What’s worrying is how many people lap it up without even questioning what’s actually being proposed, or whether it’s remotely feasible.

Where are the critical thinking skills? Why are people so easily seduced by these pantomime figures who tap into anger and offer no real substance? It’s like the more outrageous someone is, the more they’re celebrated, and never mind whether any of it makes sense.

I get that people are frustrated, disillusioned, sick of the status quo, so am I. But falling for another bunch of opportunists who thrive on division and offer nothing beyond slogans seems like doubling down on the same mistake.

AIBU to think that we should have learned by now? Or is this just how politics is going to be from now on, performative outrage and no actual plan?

OP posts:
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BIossomtoes · 11/06/2025 21:10

senua · 11/06/2025 20:16

It might be a start to not just dismiss them with sub-human terms like 'scum' and 'gammon'. Hmm

Not terms I ever use. 🤷‍♀️

MiloMinderbinder925 · 11/06/2025 21:04

senua · 11/06/2025 21:03

On what evidence did you base this?
Questions, questions. So many questions.

So mysterious.

senua · 11/06/2025 21:03

On what evidence did you base this?
Questions, questions. So many questions.

MiloMinderbinder925 · 11/06/2025 20:49

MonTuesWeds · 11/06/2025 20:43

What have I made up?!

It's not a genuine request or a sincere desire to understand (even for its strategic benefits) - it's just a performance for the benefit of your political friends.

On what evidence did you base this?

MonTuesWeds · 11/06/2025 20:43

MiloMinderbinder925 · 11/06/2025 20:25

You're evading the question again and making stuff up. Very strange behaviour.

What have I made up?!

Lonelydave · 11/06/2025 20:39

NeedAnyHelpWithThatPaperBag · 11/06/2025 20:12

@senua

Some form of cross party consensus group taking on and making unpopular decisions wrt difficult long term issues might remove the stigma of said decisions being attached to the party in government at the time of implementation? But that assumes politicians are concerned only with the best interests of the country first and foremost...

Nailed it - if only they put their citizens first and not their political careers.

Michlar1086 · 11/06/2025 20:37

Wow. An astounding level of arrogance in your post. ‘So transparent!’ Did you read through and at any point contemplate a person who is not as privileged as you. The comment - don’t get sue critical thinking skills is all a bit let them eat cake. Seriously show me how out of touch you are without saying I’m out of touch. There are areas in this country where English (not Britain) people feel increasingly marginalised and forgotten. The issue is why the mainstream parties don’t address this. Shame on you

MiloMinderbinder925 · 11/06/2025 20:30

senua · 11/06/2025 20:28

Do your own work!

Gosh, the right are so rude yet so mysterious.🤔

senua · 11/06/2025 20:28

MiloMinderbinder925 · 11/06/2025 20:19

Strange how no one can answer the question.

Do your own work!

ThePhantomoftheEcobubbleOpera · 11/06/2025 20:26

MonTuesWeds · 11/06/2025 20:20

Careful now, some factions of the "right" are wanting to reclaim socialism from the "left"

Well they'll probably find it in a charity shop somewhere behind the jigsaws. Labour gave up on class donkeys years ago.

MiloMinderbinder925 · 11/06/2025 20:25

MonTuesWeds · 11/06/2025 20:23

It's not a genuine request or a sincere desire to understand (even for its strategic benefits) - it's just a performance for the benefit of your political friends.

The right don't like Reform. But it's the only way to move the Overton window available at the moment

You're evading the question again and making stuff up. Very strange behaviour.

MonTuesWeds · 11/06/2025 20:23

MiloMinderbinder925 · 11/06/2025 20:20

I'm on the left and I'm asking you how to better understand the right but you don't seem to know.

It's not a genuine request or a sincere desire to understand (even for its strategic benefits) - it's just a performance for the benefit of your political friends.

The right don't like Reform. But it's the only way to move the Overton window available at the moment

MonTuesWeds · 11/06/2025 20:20

ThePhantomoftheEcobubbleOpera · 11/06/2025 20:18

I'm not sure positing Labour as left in opposition to Reform on the right is particularly helpful at the moment. I mean, the Island of Strangers speech and attack on disability payments aren't very left. And Reforms jabber about nationalising key industries isn't very right.

Careful now, some factions of the "right" are wanting to reclaim socialism from the "left"

MiloMinderbinder925 · 11/06/2025 20:20

MonTuesWeds · 11/06/2025 20:19

That's not what I said. But as I already pointed our, it's a matter of will. If they wanted to, they could. They don't want to.

I'm on the left and I'm asking you how to better understand the right but you don't seem to know.

MonTuesWeds · 11/06/2025 20:19

MiloMinderbinder925 · 11/06/2025 20:11

So the left need to understand that Reform is a protest vote and that's how they can understand the right?

That's not what I said. But as I already pointed our, it's a matter of will. If they wanted to, they could. They don't want to.

MiloMinderbinder925 · 11/06/2025 20:19

senua · 11/06/2025 20:16

It might be a start to not just dismiss them with sub-human terms like 'scum' and 'gammon'. Hmm

Strange how no one can answer the question.

ThePhantomoftheEcobubbleOpera · 11/06/2025 20:18

I'm not sure positing Labour as left in opposition to Reform on the right is particularly helpful at the moment. I mean, the Island of Strangers speech and attack on disability payments aren't very left. And Reforms jabber about nationalising key industries isn't very right.

senua · 11/06/2025 20:16

MiloMinderbinder925 · 11/06/2025 19:54

How can the left better understand the right?

It might be a start to not just dismiss them with sub-human terms like 'scum' and 'gammon'. Hmm

NeedAnyHelpWithThatPaperBag · 11/06/2025 20:12

@senua

Some form of cross party consensus group taking on and making unpopular decisions wrt difficult long term issues might remove the stigma of said decisions being attached to the party in government at the time of implementation? But that assumes politicians are concerned only with the best interests of the country first and foremost...

MiloMinderbinder925 · 11/06/2025 20:11

MonTuesWeds · 11/06/2025 20:06

There isn't one reason. For some it's simply the fact that all mainstream parties are their direct political opponent and Reform is simply a weapon with which to lash out and give them a bloody nose. It's not much more than that. They're not supporters. They're not liked much by the right either.

So the left need to understand that Reform is a protest vote and that's how they can understand the right?

MonTuesWeds · 11/06/2025 20:06

MiloMinderbinder925 · 11/06/2025 20:03

In your opinion, what's fundamental to understanding Reform supporters?

There isn't one reason. For some it's simply the fact that all mainstream parties are their direct political opponent and Reform is simply a weapon with which to lash out and give them a bloody nose. It's not much more than that. They're not supporters. They're not liked much by the right either.

ThePhantomoftheEcobubbleOpera · 11/06/2025 20:03

So you think that the local reform councils will be under scrutiny in a way that the other councils are not? Maybe.

Although I can see a political spin that plays out in which they claim they were thwarted in their efforts by state driven red tape which could be curtailed if the party were in government.

MiloMinderbinder925 · 11/06/2025 20:03

MonTuesWeds · 11/06/2025 20:00

It's a good question. It's most likely a matter of will I suspect. They don't want to, so it's not going to be easy. Because their politics are more about status than any other motivators. Perhaps.

In your opinion, what's fundamental to understanding Reform supporters?

MonTuesWeds · 11/06/2025 20:00

MiloMinderbinder925 · 11/06/2025 19:54

How can the left better understand the right?

It's a good question. It's most likely a matter of will I suspect. They don't want to, so it's not going to be easy. Because their politics are more about status than any other motivators. Perhaps.

Theresnothingnewunderthesun · 11/06/2025 20:00

BIossomtoes · 11/06/2025 19:38

I’d want to see which wards were previously Labour and what the % turnover was before I was prepared to make any assumptions. The thing I find most surprising about those results is that the Tories gained/held any seats.

Sorry my mistake, I meant the Lancashire county council now has a reform majority.