To hope that all the really nasty, hard core right wingers defect to Reform….

I don’t think that what’s happening in America solely because they are far on the right. Whilst that in itself might not be great, it’s the person actually running the country like it’s a game show making up new rules to suit his mood, who can’t seem to remember anything apart from everything is apparently great and is doing things on a whim, rewriting history and trying to make as much money as he can.

Anyone who is interested in the movement being led by Ruth Davidson and Andy Street (centerist) - it is worth having a look at their newly launched site 'Prosper UK' - you can sign up to register your interest. The more people who sign up the stronger the message to ALL political parties will be that there is a massive gap in the middle of non far left or right voters.

I mean, all those Reform supporters banging on about wanting change. Like the Americans were before Trump got in the first time.

Except…it’s not going to be much of a change if it’s pretty much the exact same bunch of cunts who were in power for 14 years until recently. Although I suspect the cognitive dissonance will prevail strongly there.

Farage is really playing with fire, here. I appreciate it must be hard to turn down high profile detectors from other parties, but surely turning Reform UK into Reform and Rehabilitation for Failed Tories carries a degree of risk...

Yes please
i actually spend lots of time defending and criticising both parties as the sensible ones keep on being shouted down by others

For some people this exodus of tory MPs will be a huge positive for Reform as a potential party in charge. They might see it as getting some people in who are experienced in government and also eventually bringing about a possible dilution of the more extreme reform views/policies. I won't be voting for them but I can see that this might be adding to their attraction.
I am, however, interested in what Ruth Davidson and Andy Street might put together and will watch that development.

Bit of a surprise at today’s announcement as I thought SB had already gone, tbh.

Andy Street is the only Tory I've ever voted for when he was West Midlands mayor. Id be interested in what he has to say

As the BBC says, Reform is attracting household names, as they say , "big beasts."

Jenrick and Braverman are not obscure back bench MPs, they were contenders for leadership of the Conservative party.

No doubt there will be others, made bold by this from both Labour and the Conservatives-people who have experience of government at high level;killing dead in the water the criticism that Reform will have no idea what to do if elected.

This may have been true before seasoned, experienced, youngish politicians began joining them.

No sitting MP from one of the big two parties would have dreamed of joining the party of Screaming Lord Sutch or indeed Reform a few years ago but the fact that big names are joining Reform lend it nothing but credibility.

Accountability, positivity, tolerance, earnest desire to engage, so many good vibes you’re projecting

Why it’s not working on voters like myself is a mystery. Or not.

All good. But, according to every poll, Reform will probably win the next election. So, they won’t be keeping it to themselves. We will all have to live with it. 🤷‍♀️

Another disenfranchised person hoping for a centrist phoenix party to arise from the rubble. Ruth Davidson, Andy Street... a few more would be welcome.

No way I can vote Lib Dem’s again due to their gender woo stance.

People are flocking to Reform as they don’t think they are being listened to. Labour (as well as other parties) aren’t communicating well enough. They need to tell the country a few home truths about how skint we are, how they know life is bad but they’re going to do x y z to fix it. They’re not so people don’t believe change will happen so are looking elsewhere.

There are another 2 years to go - Thats a long time in politics

But then if they manage to win a general election, which a lot of people aren’t ruling out…

I also like Ihatethistimeline 's excellent theory.

Leaving for a better job either means you think the other party will do better or simply that you have no chance in your current party. I actually think it will be a good thing for the Conservatives to let the disrupters go.

I would like this too!

1. This is not the USA

1. That was 2016 - 10 years ago. It's now 2026

1. The Tories called themselves The Nasty Party

But, otherwise, what a great comment

🤨

Yes, in the same way I hoped the nastier antisemitic anti-West left would defect to Your Party. Sadly it hasn’t happened yet!

I don't think Reform voters will be happy as I think the defectors will dilute Reform. Most of their voters want mass deportations (I think) and the tories didn't do that when they were in power.

The more far right Tories that go there the better.
There's definitely a place for a solid right wing party with traditional values and that could rise from the ashes.
I wouldn't vote for it, but I would prefer it to Reform so might be persuaded tactically to vote for it. We had a fairly decent Tory MP who lost his seat to Lib Dem in the last election.

I am sure some of these far right Tories would be hoping to challenge Farage for leadership. He might not like that.

Yes, a sensible centre party focused on evidence based policies that actually deliver for people would probably do very well. But I agree that it probably won't happen.

That's a great theory! A bit far fetched perhaps, but I like it!

What i would like is if all the sensible Tories and all the sensible Labour lot would get together and form one sensible party.
Sadly, that is not going to happen. It is just division and bull shit all round now.