... to think that Nigel Farage will be our next PM?

But Switzerland does have immigrants, more than us as a % of population (40% of population from a migrant background. Over 30% born elsewhere). Switzerland does have immigrants from outside the EU (lots and lots from Eritrea. Also lots of Kosovans for some reason). And they do take asylum seekers. I know someone who taught German to recent arrivals.

What Switzerland does have is a returns agreement with the EU. Where they can return migrants to the country whence they came. Why can't Britain have that! We did have that- but we lost that agreement when we left the EU. Hence there are no small boats before Brexit but there are lots now.

People aren’t that stupid, at the end of the day.

This is long but here are some of the things they did I do/dont like

Things I like:

• The workers rights bill. I know that was controversial because of the extra burden on employers. But it is concrete.
• banning no fault evictions and better tenants rights. Long overdue.
• bringing sure start back
• free breakfast clubs
• pushing through the bill with increased protections for children (which included meeting some of the recommendations of the Jay report. Long overdue change)
• NHS - localised healthcare targeted towards deprived communities.
• Trade agreements with America, India, EU. We really needed them. And the terms actually are favourable to us. The India agreement owes more to Trumps tatrifs making them more desperate to do a deal with us. But it's still a positive.

Things I am meh about

• planning reform "to build the homes we need". Planning reform was probably needed but it only works if more homes actually get built.
• ‘Homes for Heroes’ - "a programme to ensure all UK Armed Forces Veterans as well as domestic abuse survivors and care leavers have a roof over their head." Apparently. Really good idea in theory. But again they have to do it. At least it's there.
• bringing down NHS waiting liars - they have managed to bring them down but only by spending money on private healthcare. Which feels less sustainable long term than bringing more nurses etc back within the NHS which would be cheaper. As an interim measure at least it's change people can see
• smash the gangs. Good if it works

Things I don't like:

• the Island of strangers speech. More rhetoric than concrete action. But pointless.
• the benefits bill. I am glad it was defeated but the whole thing was a mess.
• their slowness in instituting a report into child grooming s. I am glad they did in the end. But it felt like it was done in the messiest way possible.

Some of the things they wanted to do were blocked. Some of the things we're done in messy way. But that's an inherent problem in politics.

In the first week of 2025, Nigel Farage told me his ultimate goal was to become prime minister. It stuck in my mind that he chose to add: "I'm not joking." -

Laura* *Kuenssberg

I asked in response to your statement that people are choosing to support Reform based on soundbites as opposed to policies of substance. As Labour are currently in power I wondered what policies of substance they have in acted. What is the difference between Reform, Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats? The track record of any of the long established parties is not great. I have some hope and faith in Wes Streeting improving the NHS but again will it be change or just a sticking plaster?

Well said!

Yes the tribalism is a huge problem. It doesn't allow for any nuance.

It's interesting that if I criticise reform you assume that I must think Labour are great. There are other political parties in the UK and sometimes I just think labours policies are less harmful, as opposed to great.

However things I think they have done well include identifying steps to move the SEND Crisis forward (although they haven't put the money that needs to follow it through in place):
I thought they de-escalated the situation after the Southport murders as well as could be done. They are just two examples.

However in general I particularly dislike Starmer and will be interested to see what Jeremy Corbyn's new party will be like. But I do feel politically homeless. I don't think Starmer is incompetent, quite the opposite. I just don't like his politics overall.

Well they are trying to do the same things (communication wise) as Farage and failing horribly. It only works for Garage just as in America it only works for Trump.

It happens on the left too. It's like in America where some Arab voters and very left wing voters were so angry with Biden/Harris for their support for Israël they voted Trump. And other pro-Israel voters also voted Trump because Biden/Harris weren't pro Israel enough
It was clear at least one of those groups would be bitterly disappointed. It's not about someone not voting for someone because they feel demoralised- that's normal. It's more valuing someone who "talks directly to you" even if you know they are talking directly to other people and saying the opposite. In fact you can find common purpose with those people because you are both voting for the same person and that identity transcends the fact you want opposite things politically. Like the identity, choosing a tribe matters more than the concrete policies. It's not the same as accepting a political party will be a broad church and means compromise. It's actually the opposite. And I do think people with our political views are as succeptible. I think writing people of into different tribes "Farage supporters think this" is wrong because the whole point is they think completely different things. Purity spiralling is quite a left wing problem but I think it's also part of the same dumbing down - just a different manifestation

What policies of substance would they be? Haven't seen much to write home about from Labour so far.

Labour use soundbites too. I don’t think they are particularly standing out as intelligent.

Do you realise how presumptive that is? Are you honestly saying that every Cambridge graduate is identical?

That's it. I am not saying that people aren't intelligent. But that they are taking pride on voting for populist soundbites over policies of substance. And knowing that is what it is and taking pride in it.

I'm not saying people are dumbed down, but the culture around politics is getting a bit.

I have criticised the thinking of some reform voters that it's condescending to have to listen to the views of the ell educated. You have made a bit of a leap to then say that I think the labour party is intelligent. Not least of all because the labour party is a political entity not a person. Anywho that's probably elitist and patronising of me so back to the point.

I do think that there are some very intelligent people in the labour Party; some of them using this for good and sadly some not. Hence the fact that I see them as the least worst option and no more at present.

Are you seriously claiming Labour are intelligent?
They’ve introduced an education tax as almost the first thing they did LOL, the last time they were in they introduced university tuition fees and the time before that they tried to kill off grammar schools (I’m sure they’ll have a second pop seen as nothing else needs fixing). Maybe they are intelligent, but they seem very keen on keeping everyone else dumb and state dependent.

It's not just the less educated/people who haven't been to university. It's across the education spectrum and both left and right. It's hard to explain but it's a shift to viewing voting/engaging in politics as something you do as a consumer rather than an engaged citizen? I know that sounds pompous. But to try to describe it, it's like if I want to buy trainers I research and buy the trainers I like best. If they wear out quickly/are crap I won't buy those trainers next time. It's not for me as a consumer to worry about what went wrong (maybe the rubber sole was the wrong sort). It's for the trainer seller to figure out. Not my problem. Whereas politics isn't meant to be like that. It's more an act of very clumsy imperfect group reasoning. Whereas across the political spectrum people feel unheard even if the policies they vote for are enacted or the parties they vote for get in. And that's partly the fault of politicians. But I think it's also maybe a fault in is. But it's really hard to have that conversation or even know how to fix it
I blame social media. But it definitely isn't an education/intelligence issue.

Can you give examples of the policies you feel are similar, because I really disagree with that.

I did not say the degrees give you life experience. Life gives you life experience. And educated people live lives like everyone else. However having developed a high level of critical thinking skills certainly helps you see that experience as part of the bigger picture.

Of course educated people aren't one homogeneous group... There will be a range of political opinions etc. traditionally Tories were the most educated because only the wealthy could go to uni.

The labour of the late 1990s had a lot of people who grew up in working class backgrounds and had been to uni etc, hence the huge emphasis on investment in state education.

Without realising it, you have explained here how your understanding of your experience has increased as you have engaged with more critically demanding levels of education. University is not the only way you can do that o course.

The fact of the matter is that in many ways Reform looks more like old Labour than Labour does.

Berating traditional Labour voters for noticing doesn't come off well.

I think that in the past there was a cultures of people who were less educated trying their best to understand. That is certainly true of the older generations in my family. And despite having left school in their early teens they made the effort to become informed and cast their vote accordingly.

However now the attitude seems to be to reject an idea because it is endorsed by that stuck up educated lot.

But in fact, do we want government policy that has been endorsed by those who are intelligent, and informed (whether by way of formal education or by making an effort to understand the facts) or do we really want government policies votes for by those who have no understanding of and are proud of that?

Is rejecting the ideas of those who are knowledgeable really desirable? ( I by that I mean knowledge gained in a whole range of ways, not just formal university education etc).

Everyone has a vote, but I find this cultural shift worrying, as surely it can't lead to effective policies that bring about positive changes.

Having worked my way to a senior role, I know first hand how challenging it is to implement changes across large organisations, never mind whatnot must be across a whole country. To be prepared for all the possibilities etc. So policies based on popularity with people proud to not know or care what the inner workings of the process is, is likely to be much harder to successfully implement and be successful.

It's like saying we want unfit, middle aged people in the army because they're like me and I don't want these arrogant young, fit types representing me. In life the people best suited to the job should be doing it. And if anyone objects shouting 'you're elitist' it's my country and army too.

I think it's possible.

I don't like NF, even on issues where I tend to agree with his general stance, I think he is more of a celebrity rather than someone who will work hard at politics.

But people are finding the main parties impossible to vote for. Eventually they will make a protest vote if it doesn't change.

Thanks for your response , but I too am "educated" (BSc, MSc - well not quite, still 2 modules to go!) i don't think that makes me better than working class people (I grew up very working class ) education and degrees do not make one experienced in life though. It also does not mean an automatic left wing vote. I'm centre , firmly centre. I used to understand both the left stance and the right stance to differing degrees. I now am understanding the far left less and less. There's so much intolerance for the centre/centre right.

That's what annoyed me about some labour supporters teeheeing because reform were attracting voters from the conservatives. Those voters used to be Labour before they went to the conservatives out of disillusionment. Labour should be trying to win them back. And what happens to people when they feel betrayed by the mainstream and reform? Where do they go then?

I just don't think trying to compete with Reform on immigration rhetoric will work. Saying "I know you working class types are a bit racist. I can be a bit racist too" won't work for Starmer. Farage can just get more extreme anyway.

But they are pulled from all directions - half the reform supporters on here think Labour betrayed the working classes and poor/disabled. He other half are furious that Labour are redistributing their cash to the feckless poor. And both groups think Garage will be an improvement. So at least half of Reforms supporters will be bitterly disappointed

As well as sounding rather pompous, you’re missing the point. Everyone has a vote in a democracy. So it’s irrelevant how educated/clever someone is - the vote of the “less educated” person counts just as much as the next person.

It’ll be cold comfort to Labour and Conservative sitting on election night saying “well at least the clever people voted for us” if Reform do get in.