Asking Reform Councillor for help

diennaa · 2026-05-16T16:11:40+00:00

I am currently campaigning for a community facility. Got nowhere with asking me previous councillor who was labour for help. She just ignored me. Greens were extremely helpful with advice practically but couldn't get involved as they were just across the boundary. We now have a reform councillor, and I just feel uneasy approaching him. I am from am immigrant background and have an accent. My grandfather came here as a refugee, I was born abroad, came here when I was 15. Part of me thinks that it could be an easy win as they are going to want to show that they are getting things done, another part doesn't want to give them the easy win, and another just doesn't want to speak to them at all. Am I overthinking this?

endofthelinefinally · 16/05/2026 21:38

I think we should all give our local councillors plenty of opportunity to demonstrate their willingness and ability to do their jobs.

Somersetbaker · 16/05/2026 21:27

If the councillors are anything like the leadership of the party, the only thing they'll offer advice on is how to claim expenses they're not entitled to, how to evade tax and how to accept bungs.

MsGreying · 16/05/2026 20:12

I'm about to ask our new reform councillor to assist with a problem.
We've been asking the Labour ones for years and got nowhere.

Cherry8809 · 16/05/2026 20:12

You’ve set him up to fail in your mind, regardless of his response - you’re worried he might not respond or help you, yet you actually don’t want the help because you don’t want to give them the “win”. Like, really?

And you’re seemingly taking offence to him having an England flag in his social media bio? Cause how dare an Englishman display that, right? 🙄

Whats the community facility you’re campaigning for?

Livelovebehappy · 16/05/2026 20:12

same for us all…… I have a Green Party councillor. I despise most of what they stand for. But I needed to raise an issue and went to them with it this week. He came back to me quickly, but I’m guessing the timing was key as it’s all new for them so they’re probably keen. In 6 months time he might be the same as previous Labour councillors and just not bother. So maybe just try to approach and see how it goes. Unfortunately many in the same position who have to hold their noses whilst asking for help from someone you know doesn’t hold the same values as yourself.

FKAT · 16/05/2026 20:01

I get you OP and understand your concern. Generally though I find councillor quality and competence to be completely unrelated to the party they represent. I have worked on a community environment project and local Labour, Lib Dems and Tories all contributed to its success. The only party that didn't help us or even respond to our calls? The Green Party (it was literally a net zero project).

Would you feel more comfortable dealing with him in writing?

Also not sure where you are but I am in London and many if not most Reform representatives here are first or second generation immigrants.

I think it's right that Reform councillors are held to account and given casework - they have strong opinions on how to right the nation's ills - they won't be able to demonstrate that if we avoid talking to them.

ilovesooty · 16/05/2026 19:58

Well even if he appears to be semi literate and you understandably don't like his politics at least you've got some evidence that he's a real person. I haven't.

Hubbaleh · 16/05/2026 19:53

I don't agree with his politics, but our local Reform councillor has been very responsive when it comes to sorting out local issues 🤷🏻‍♀️

Abricot1993 · 16/05/2026 19:52

diennaa · 16/05/2026 17:55

Oh god i just found his facebook page and it is awful. He says 'we have learnt allot' and then a heap of posts about boats and migrants and polanski. England flag in his bio. Here goes!

Edited

What is wrong with an England flag? I proudly display my Irish flag. What is wrong with saying we’ve learnt a lot? What’s wrong with them critiquing an opponent?
illegal immigrants are an issue in every country. I think you are working overtime here. It will be fine. You might be surprised.

whatareyouwaitingforr · 16/05/2026 19:45

Keep all interactions to email or letter. When he fucks up, go to the media.

ChicPlayer · 16/05/2026 19:43

My local councillors tend to ignore emails (they're not Reform, just not very helpful) so when I had a local issue recently I contacted my MP and said there was no point going to the councillors because they don't respond so could he help me. Surprisingly it was sorted!

Personally I'd rather cut my hand off than ask Reform for help with anything.

Moomintrolleys · 16/05/2026 19:43

Flamingojune · 16/05/2026 17:50

I'm sorry you have to deal with a reform councillor

Oh please. Please don't pre judge.

EmeraldRoulette · 16/05/2026 18:01

I'm not a fan of Reform

Their candidate for mayor in Hackney was an immigrant though - I think lived in Hackney for about 20 years but still has a strong accent.

I have a lot of issues with them, but racism is not one of them. Give it a try. What have you got to lose? And you have everything to gain. He's supposed to be serving his local area and helping out.

WildEnergySupplier · 16/05/2026 17:58

Good luck and keep us posted

Original poster

diennaa · 16/05/2026 17:55

Oh god i just found his facebook page and it is awful. He says 'we have learnt allot' and then a heap of posts about boats and migrants and polanski. England flag in his bio. Here goes!

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Original poster

diennaa · 16/05/2026 17:52

WildEnergySupplier · 16/05/2026 17:51

Do you need to speak to the councillor about the police's lack of action.

Waving England flags usually is far right behaviour outside of football tournaments but it's not illegal.

Am disappointed the police let you walk past a migrant hotel when there was a protest going on outside it - they're not usually meant to and that's definitely something worth raising with the councillor.

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It was my fault for being bold to walk by but it was my only way home and I didnt think I was the target, not thT I agree with it anyway. I wasn't that close to them so thought it would be OK as lots of others were walking past and there was a counter protest.

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WildEnergySupplier · 16/05/2026 17:51

diennaa · 16/05/2026 17:48

There have been so many. Two i went to the police snd they took a statement from me and my child. Another was a protest outside a hotel some hax teform banners and others just england flags and I walked past and they assumed I lived there and shouted abuse at me. I spoke to the police who were there and they did nothing and told me just to go home. A few other smaller incidents where admittedly I did nothing.

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Do you need to speak to the councillor about the police's lack of action.

Waving England flags usually is far right behaviour outside of football tournaments but it's not illegal.

Am disappointed the police let you walk past a migrant hotel when there was a protest going on outside it - they're not usually meant to and that's definitely something worth raising with the councillor.

Flamingojune · 16/05/2026 17:50

I'm sorry you have to deal with a reform councillor

Original poster

diennaa · 16/05/2026 17:48

Tableforjoan · 16/05/2026 17:47

He likely hasn’t been given access yet. Our new con cllr hasn’t but has shared his work number on his Facebook page. Also another way to contact.

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Thank you

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Original poster

diennaa · 16/05/2026 17:48

WildEnergySupplier · 16/05/2026 17:44

Have you been to the police about these racist attacks? They are very good on hate crimes.

If you knew the racists were linked to Reform did you have other details about them, like names?

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There have been so many. Two i went to the police snd they took a statement from me and my child. Another was a protest outside a hotel some hax teform banners and others just england flags and I walked past and they assumed I lived there and shouted abuse at me. I spoke to the police who were there and they did nothing and told me just to go home. A few other smaller incidents where admittedly I did nothing.

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Tableforjoan · 16/05/2026 17:47

diennaa · 16/05/2026 17:46

Ok thank you all for giving my head s wobble. I would email him but he doesn't have an email address listed unlike the other councillors so that's my first hurdle.

He likely hasn’t been given access yet. Our new con cllr hasn’t but has shared his work number on his Facebook page. Also another way to contact.

Original poster

diennaa · 16/05/2026 17:46

Ok thank you all for giving my head s wobble. I would email him but he doesn't have an email address listed unlike the other councillors so that's my first hurdle.

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WildEnergySupplier · 16/05/2026 17:44

diennaa · 16/05/2026 17:41

Very hard to describe the paranoia and fear that comes with being a brown immigrant having to approach a reform councillor. Yes it's all psychological but the amount of racism i have faced these past few months from likely reform voters has been incredibly draining, so I may well be being unreasonable but my head is totally scrambled.

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Have you been to the police about these racist attacks? They are very good on hate crimes.

If you knew the racists were linked to Reform did you have other details about them, like names?

Original poster

diennaa · 16/05/2026 17:42

Moomintrolleys · 16/05/2026 17:25

It's an easy win but labour did nothing?

Yes because they had been councillor in the area for years and wrre likely complacent. They were very shocked when they lost their councillor position!

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Original poster

diennaa · 16/05/2026 17:41

WildEnergySupplier · 16/05/2026 17:21

I'm baffled by the question TBH.

You're worried that this councillor won't help you because your grandfather was an immigrant but you're also worried that this councillor will help you because they will use it as a win?

How will they use it as a win?

Very hard to describe the paranoia and fear that comes with being a brown immigrant having to approach a reform councillor. Yes it's all psychological but the amount of racism i have faced these past few months from likely reform voters has been incredibly draining, so I may well be being unreasonable but my head is totally scrambled.

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