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To reckon that Reform will win the next election, and to be utterly terrified about it? 😪

584 replies

mumofoneAloneandwell · 26/01/2026 14:33

i am a leftie

I think they’ll win

If don’t, they’ll have the majority in a hung parliament and govern as a minority party before joining with the Tories.

i’m going to tighten my belt re running my home and prepare for onslaught as the country becomes unrecognisable

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
Goldenbear · 28/01/2026 10:10

Lockdownsceptic · 27/01/2026 21:28

I don’t suppose Keir Starmer ever lies does he? Oh yes he lied to the President of the United States about the Chagos deal. Just the latest in a long line of lies, distractions and obfuscations. Find me an honest politician and I’ll vote for him. In the meantime we have to make the best of a bad job and vote for someone who might, possibly, if we are lucky, effect some of the changes this country needs if we are once again to be prosperous.

Of course as the man who crashed us out of the EU without a plan, will certainly be able to make us all prosperous again!

Whatafliberty · 28/01/2026 10:06

I agree that they will definitely get in. We will then lose NHS. I am also absolutely terrified.

ChurchWindows · 28/01/2026 10:02

tommyhoundmum · 28/01/2026 09:41

Unfortunately, it's the u turns that people remember.

Let's hope they remember Reform's backtrack on its central 2024 election pledge to deliver £90 billion in annual tax cuts. Farage is now saying it's "not realistic at this current moment in time".

What single successful initiative that is beneficial to the UK has Farage ever delivered?

Alexandra2001 · 28/01/2026 09:58

tommyhoundmum · 28/01/2026 09:41

Unfortunately, it's the u turns that people remember.

Only because thats all the media keep focusing on... changing ones mind is a sign of maturity (in many cases) once new info becomes available surely.

No politician gets it all right, not Farage, Badenoch or Starmer, making changes is good, as have they all done.

I'd rather that then just steam on ahead but of course one would prefer policy to to be good in all respects but the perfect is not always possible.

Goldenbear · 28/01/2026 09:55

Bimpy · 28/01/2026 09:32

Their election schtik in the Scottish Parliament elections is that they will restore tax rates to the same as England, which would make us £750 a month better off so I am tempted. It’s insufferable watching the SNP waste taxpayer funds left, right and centre. They’re talking sense on so many areas it’s tempting, but Farage is a massive racist and the antisemetic comments made to a school friends of his were truly beyond the pail. So it’s a no from me, but I can see why some would vote for them.

So you can see if someone was a massive racist they'd vote for him?

tommyhoundmum · 28/01/2026 09:41

Playingvideogames · 26/01/2026 15:09

In the interests of balance here’s what Labour claim to have done so far:

NHS
Secured £400m investment to boost clinical trials, improving NHS services and driving growth.
Announced that over 1,000 more GPs will be recruited this year, supporting NHS services.
Set out his long-term plan to rebuild our NHS for good and transform services over the next 10 years.
TRANSPORT
Ended train strikes, delivering for passengers.
Launched new legislation to bring the UK's railways back into public ownership which will improve rail services.
Given communities more power over their local bus services.
HOUSING
Banned no-fault evictions and introduced new protections for renters.
Delivered planning reform to build the homes we need.
Announced ‘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.
CRIME AND BORDER SECURITY
Kickstarted a plan to restore neighbourhood policing.
Scrapped the wasteful Rwanda scheme and launched a Border Security Command to smash the criminal smuggling gangs and improve the UK's border security.
EDUCATION
Launched a Curriculum and Assessment Review to help improve schools.
Started the drive to recruit 6,500 teachers nationally, improving the education system.
Launched Skills England to transform opportunities and drive growth.
Scrapped single headline Ofsted grades in schools in landmark school reform.
Overhauled apprenticeships through a new Growth and Skills Levy.
Supported parents by announcing the first stage of the government's plan to deliver 3,000 school-based nurseries.
Announced the Children's Wellbeing bill which will remove barriers to opportunity and make sure the school system is fair for every child.
Kickstarted the rollout of free breakfast clubs for all primary school children through an early adopters scheme.
ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT
Unveiled new measures to support small businesses impacted by late payments.
Scrapped the ban on onshore wind and unblocked solar schemes to deliver lower bills and good jobs.
Announced improved employment rights for workers, with a package of reforms that will Make Work Pay - including ending exploitative zero hour contracts, providing statutory sick pay from day one, and ending fire and rehire.
Secured a record 131 new green infrastructure projects which will create jobs and drive growth.
Announced a new National Wealth Fund to unlock private investment.
Introduced a new Fiscal Lock Law to deliver economic stability and protect family finances.
Announced new Covid Corruption Commissioner to get back what is owed to people.
Launched landmark pensions review to support pensioners.
ENVIRONMENT
Launched a new Floods Resilience Taskforce to turbocharge flood preparedness and support delivery of flood defences.
Delivered new measures to penalise water bosses who pollute waters.
Announced a new deal for farmers, which will go further to support farmers, boosting rural economic growth and strengthening Britain's food security.
COST OF LIVING
Launched the Warm Homes Plan to deliver lower energy bills and lift over one million households out of fuel poverty.
Established the Child Poverty Taskforce, working across government departments to tackle child poverty.
Working to drive up Pension Credit applications.
Extended the Household Support Fund to support struggling households with bills and essential costs over winter.
DEFENCE
Launched a new Armed Forces Commissioner who will be a strong, independent champion to improve life for UK service personnel and their families.
Awarded our armed forces the largest pay increase in decades which will renew the nation's contract with those who serve.

Unfortunately, it's the u turns that people remember.

CatMummyOf3 · 28/01/2026 09:41

Sesma · 26/01/2026 15:28

I will be voting to get Labour out, whether that means Reform or Tory

I will be voting to keep Reform out, whether that be Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem, Green, the Monster Raving Loony Party.

Having seen what the tangerine toddler has done and is still doing to the USA and how Farage is a 'mini me' with the same puppet master I am definitely concerned with the amount of support he currently has.

Bimpy · 28/01/2026 09:32

Their election schtik in the Scottish Parliament elections is that they will restore tax rates to the same as England, which would make us £750 a month better off so I am tempted. It’s insufferable watching the SNP waste taxpayer funds left, right and centre. They’re talking sense on so many areas it’s tempting, but Farage is a massive racist and the antisemetic comments made to a school friends of his were truly beyond the pail. So it’s a no from me, but I can see why some would vote for them.

Alexandra2001 · 28/01/2026 09:27

P.S. If you’re still getting your news from BBC, Sky, Channel 4 and MSM, you will not have been told any of this as it is being hidden from the British people

Oh yes... you get your news from Youtube, which the same as getting it from a drunk in the local pub.... so enlightening.

I will pick just 3 of your examples...

Fishing: the deal done by Bojo...

Defence/housing and veterans:

Billions to spent improving housing, on NI a bill that STOPs veterans being prosecuted maliciously...

Rape gangs:

We have had many inquires, including National ones, the latest one cost 100s of millions, took 8 years to report, 22 recommendations, which the Tories never acted on, Labour, within months, have implemented every single one.

ChurchWindows · 28/01/2026 09:22

BooneyBeautiful · 28/01/2026 03:15

I have a friend who I suspect will vote Reform (as will many people I know in my area). This was cemented by the fact that she said she likes Trump because, "he gets things done".

I wish he wouldn't.

HelenaTranscart · 28/01/2026 08:52

Playingvideogames · 26/01/2026 15:09

In the interests of balance here’s what Labour claim to have done so far:

NHS
Secured £400m investment to boost clinical trials, improving NHS services and driving growth.
Announced that over 1,000 more GPs will be recruited this year, supporting NHS services.
Set out his long-term plan to rebuild our NHS for good and transform services over the next 10 years.
TRANSPORT
Ended train strikes, delivering for passengers.
Launched new legislation to bring the UK's railways back into public ownership which will improve rail services.
Given communities more power over their local bus services.
HOUSING
Banned no-fault evictions and introduced new protections for renters.
Delivered planning reform to build the homes we need.
Announced ‘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.
CRIME AND BORDER SECURITY
Kickstarted a plan to restore neighbourhood policing.
Scrapped the wasteful Rwanda scheme and launched a Border Security Command to smash the criminal smuggling gangs and improve the UK's border security.
EDUCATION
Launched a Curriculum and Assessment Review to help improve schools.
Started the drive to recruit 6,500 teachers nationally, improving the education system.
Launched Skills England to transform opportunities and drive growth.
Scrapped single headline Ofsted grades in schools in landmark school reform.
Overhauled apprenticeships through a new Growth and Skills Levy.
Supported parents by announcing the first stage of the government's plan to deliver 3,000 school-based nurseries.
Announced the Children's Wellbeing bill which will remove barriers to opportunity and make sure the school system is fair for every child.
Kickstarted the rollout of free breakfast clubs for all primary school children through an early adopters scheme.
ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT
Unveiled new measures to support small businesses impacted by late payments.
Scrapped the ban on onshore wind and unblocked solar schemes to deliver lower bills and good jobs.
Announced improved employment rights for workers, with a package of reforms that will Make Work Pay - including ending exploitative zero hour contracts, providing statutory sick pay from day one, and ending fire and rehire.
Secured a record 131 new green infrastructure projects which will create jobs and drive growth.
Announced a new National Wealth Fund to unlock private investment.
Introduced a new Fiscal Lock Law to deliver economic stability and protect family finances.
Announced new Covid Corruption Commissioner to get back what is owed to people.
Launched landmark pensions review to support pensioners.
ENVIRONMENT
Launched a new Floods Resilience Taskforce to turbocharge flood preparedness and support delivery of flood defences.
Delivered new measures to penalise water bosses who pollute waters.
Announced a new deal for farmers, which will go further to support farmers, boosting rural economic growth and strengthening Britain's food security.
COST OF LIVING
Launched the Warm Homes Plan to deliver lower energy bills and lift over one million households out of fuel poverty.
Established the Child Poverty Taskforce, working across government departments to tackle child poverty.
Working to drive up Pension Credit applications.
Extended the Household Support Fund to support struggling households with bills and essential costs over winter.
DEFENCE
Launched a new Armed Forces Commissioner who will be a strong, independent champion to improve life for UK service personnel and their families.
Awarded our armed forces the largest pay increase in decades which will renew the nation's contract with those who serve.

In the interests of balance here’s what Labour have ACTUALLY done so far:

NHS

Given the go-ahead to a Puberty Blockers trial that will sterilise over 220 kids

Failed to uphold the Supreme Court ruling that sex is based on biology, resulting in Sandie Peggie and the Darlington nurses having to fight in court for the right not to have to undress in front of a man

Spent millions on DEI that could be better spent on front-line patient services

TRANSPORT

Focused funding on London while neglecting rural areas, and promoting expensive Electric Vehicles (EVs) while hiking up taxes on these.

HOUSING
Prioritised the housing of illegal migrants who are breaking our laws resulting in a housing crisis, while forcing us to pay billions on hotels, housing, and welfare for these people.

CRIME AND BORDER SECURITY
Failed to ‘smash the gangs’ and protect our borders. The ‘one in one out’ deal was a FARCE.

41K illegal migrants entered Britian last year, and only a tiny fraction has been removed.

EDUCATION
The new Curriculum will embed DEI and trans into every subject ensuring your children are fully indoctrinated.

Buried deep in Section 122 (2) (a) (iii) of the Children's Wellbeing bill is legislation that gives Ofcom the power to use ‘client-side scanning’ so the state can intercept your private messages by scanning your device before you send them. No, I’m not making this up

ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT
We’ve endured catastrophic mismanagement by Reeves! The economy is flat-lining, and we’ve the highest taxes since the 1940s. Hikes in employers NICs have led to more unemployment.

National debt has increased, we’ve low growth, and a crippling cost-of-living crisis.

Labour has targeted pensioners, farmers, small businesses etc. rather than dealing with the spiralling welfare bill and the cost of mass uncontrolled immigration

ENVIRONMENT
Destroyed our fishing industry by giving away our fishing rights to the EU.

COST OF LIVING
We’ve the worst cost-of-living crisis since WW2.

DEFENCE
While thousands of veterans are homeless, Labour is giving homes to illegals along with private healthcare. Our borders are wide open and until we leave the ECHR there’s little we can do about it.

Starmer has given the green light in the Troubles Bill to pursue vexatious prosecutions against veterans for carrying out their duties, resulting in a recruitment crisis in the armed forces.

So in summary:

· Taxes are up. Unemployment is up. Energy bills are up. The cost of living is up. The number of small boats is up. The number of homes going to illegal immigrants is up

· People’s living standards are down. Wage growth is slowing. Small businesses and high streets are being destroyed by higher taxes, business rates, and endless regulation.

· Soft-on-crime policies mean criminals are not punished and prisoners are let out early, including sex offenders and domestic abusers, while people go to jail for tweets.

· Democracy is under attack: elections have been cancelled. Free speech and jury trials are under threat.

· Starmer resisted a national inquiry into the mass rape of white working class children. This tells you all you need to know about this government.

· Everybody comes first except the British people who work hard, pay their taxes, and play by the rules.

I for one will be terrified if Reform do not win the next General Election because this government is wrecking our country.

P.S. If you’re still getting your news from BBC, Sky, Channel 4 and MSM, you will not have been told any of this as it is being hidden from the British people.

Ponderingpondering · 28/01/2026 07:34

frozendaisy · 26/01/2026 14:43

Why don’t you wait until they produce their manifesto first. They will be scrutinised by the top political journalists, they will be forced to cost their policies, they will be held to account.

A UK prime minister does not have the same authoritive power as a president does.

What are you scared about exactly?

(I am the most left in this house, I think if Reform get in it will be x3 years of nothing getting done just scandal over ineptitude and text messages).

Very true BUT that’s supposing that people actually tune in to listen to political journalists / read news and inform themselves and don’t just think oh Farage is a laugh/I like what he says,/never tried this before /may as well give it a go ….blabla idiotic bla.
I seem to remember there was alot of googling what’s the EU after the flipping referendum😳🤢😡

Alexandra2001 · 28/01/2026 07:23

Clubbiscuit · 28/01/2026 00:10

They are doing decent things but the billionaire- owned media just isn’t sharing them. Google what Labour have done in your area and you’ll be surprised.

Yep its not all rosy but for the first time in history, we have a proposed rise in bridge tag tolls reversed, down to Labour MPs.

Did they get any credit? nope, it was all "the Bridge should be free"

Babcock, not a Public Sector company, has 1000s of job opening over the next 2 years in our locality and in Bristol and Scotland.

People say "oh its only good if you work in public sector" Well news for you all, public sector services are used by us all, inc by private sector employees.

On 2029 result..... No one is taking into account that 16/17 yo's will be able to vote, thats todays 13/14 yo's.

AllJoyAndNoFun · 28/01/2026 07:23

My prediction (FWIW, probably not much) is that we'll end up with a messy coalition in 2029. Tories may have a bit of a resurgence (maybe 50 seats) from people who voted Labour in 2024 but who have now decided that wasn't a great idea (this is especially true if Labour lurches to the left under whichever new leader they elect to replace Keir- I don't expect him to last the term). My constituency v likely to swing back Tory at next election- I doubt it would go Reform. Reform will likely get a lot of seats but I don't think enough to form a majority. If Labour goes Left, the Greens could suffer. But how this all plays out seat by seat in a FPTP system is anyone's guess.

EasternStandard · 28/01/2026 07:14

explanationplease · 28/01/2026 00:06

I don’t think they will, but labour is nit putting up good PR.

I think PR lines are their forte how many times have you heard ‘money in your pocket’, ‘further and faster’ or similar.

Repeating lines doesn’t work, it’s not a PR issue, it’s how people are experiencing their government. If you’re the public sector or dependent on the state it might feel different, but not everyone is, so far anyway.

The majority know the PR already it doesn’t help.

Alexandra2001 · 28/01/2026 07:00

EstoyRobandoSuCasa · 27/01/2026 23:42

I don't understand it either. To me, Starmer seems to be a hard-working man who is at least trying to put the interests of this country first. (How he must have cringed when he had to give Trump that very special invitation from the King. But it had to be done.)

The people who disagree with Starmer's attempts to get us out of this mess seem to hate him vastly more than they hate the previous government for getting us into this mess in the first place. And why do most of them have silly nicknames for Starmer which are all rhymes or puns based on his name? It's starting to sound weirdly cult-like.

Yes 100%

Look at his China visit? trying to drum up business by taking 60 uk business leaders with him.

Badenoch and others criticise and say we should have nothing to do with them, writing on the Telegraph, on their Lenovo (Chinese company) Laptops and Apple phones (manufactured in China)

Alexandra2001 · 28/01/2026 06:57

croydon15 · 27/01/2026 21:39

So if the economy is doing ok, how come that so many businesses/pubs are closing down every week ?

7000 pubs closed down between 2010 and 2024... thats 500 per year, people are realising the damage alcohol does, then there is the price difference between supermarkets and pubs....

The rate of closure has dropped under Labour, not that is ever reported, instead headline in the Mail is "Reeves puts nail in High Street" BS....

Would you like alcohol duty removed for pubs? and how would you pay for that?

Reeves has cut business rates for pubs too.

Bond markets stable, first time in since Truss, tax receipts at record highs.... investment in NHS, defence companies booming (though thats rather worrying) US scientists coming here to work in life sciences, as Trump slashing funding for these in the USA.

I just want to give Starmer more than 18months.

BooneyBeautiful · 28/01/2026 03:15

ChurchWindows · 26/01/2026 15:45

You can judge a man by the company he keeps.

I have a friend who I suspect will vote Reform (as will many people I know in my area). This was cemented by the fact that she said she likes Trump because, "he gets things done".

Khayker · 28/01/2026 00:28

Sorry but I can't seem to reply to individual messages. Is there a problem with Mumsnet?

Ladygodalmighty · 28/01/2026 00:26

mumofoneAloneandwell · 26/01/2026 14:33

i am a leftie

I think they’ll win

If don’t, they’ll have the majority in a hung parliament and govern as a minority party before joining with the Tories.

i’m going to tighten my belt re running my home and prepare for onslaught as the country becomes unrecognisable

Listen to the voice of reason:
www.facebook.com/share/p/182wfJrwuW/

Beakthrough · 28/01/2026 00:18

I'm not sure they will now. I was worried because of the mobilisation of a large number of people who don't usually vote, but they like Reform for being a change. If it seems like it's same old same old under a different name, I don't think they'll suddenly become Labour voters, but they might not vote at all.

Clubbiscuit · 28/01/2026 00:10

explanationplease · 28/01/2026 00:06

I don’t think they will, but labour is nit putting up good PR.

They are doing decent things but the billionaire- owned media just isn’t sharing them. Google what Labour have done in your area and you’ll be surprised.

explanationplease · 28/01/2026 00:06

I don’t think they will, but labour is nit putting up good PR.

Wooky073 · 28/01/2026 00:00

I dont think they will win at all. They are gaining nasty tory rejects from the far right and corrupt end of the conservatives, they are aligned with Trump and far right views. You only need to look what is happening in America under Trump to have an inkling what Reform would bring to the UK. Some will vote but not enough to win. It will split the conservative vote and 2 party politics is over but they wont win. You only need to look at how badly they are running the local authorities they have to see what a bad job they would do in power. They have not fulfilled any of their promises - which is to be expected.

EstoyRobandoSuCasa · 27/01/2026 23:42

anon666 · 27/01/2026 20:43

What is it you think he stands for?

I see him as a decent man doing his best to sort things out. I can't understand the level of hatred, other than the screaming in the billionaire-owned media.

I don't understand it either. To me, Starmer seems to be a hard-working man who is at least trying to put the interests of this country first. (How he must have cringed when he had to give Trump that very special invitation from the King. But it had to be done.)

The people who disagree with Starmer's attempts to get us out of this mess seem to hate him vastly more than they hate the previous government for getting us into this mess in the first place. And why do most of them have silly nicknames for Starmer which are all rhymes or puns based on his name? It's starting to sound weirdly cult-like.

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