Reform are getting a shitload of voters

Sorry this complete bollocks, wjat on earth are you actually advocating some sort of closed system like Japan circa 1890 ?. Japan has v. low multiculturalism/ immigration and a v. low birth rate- not working out so well for them is it ? Whereas USA which is effectively a nation of immigrants has bucked the trend of other nations showing strong growth over the last 10 years. You do realise we have had black and brown people living in Britain for over 200 years ?

@Livelovebehappy haven't Israel been taking parcels of land well before 7th October.

Another 5 square miles that wouldn’t have been taken had Hamas not started all this on 7th October….

Funny how your nation only declines as it becomes more multicultural. Just rearranging the deck chairs on the Britannia lol

They are crossing through multiple countries to ‘escape’ persecution. They don’t need to risk their lives on small boats. They would be safer remaining in France and claiming asylum there.

BYW I know this is how the BBC are reporting it - very lazy journalism.

and again I would ask what " Muslim" means to you ? I have Irainian and Egyptian collegues who might describe themselves as " culturally Muslim" in the same way great swathes of middle england are vaguely C of E. What they mean is they don't eat pork, probrably don't drink ( though some do) but they may or may not observe Ramadam but definately celebrate Eid. They most definitely don't pray 5 times a day or go to Mosque weekly. There are millions of moderate Muslims in the UK, they certainly believe in education of women, they don't wear the veil. It's like comparing Orthodox Jews to a " culturally Jewish" New Yorker or a Christmas church attender with a member of the Amish...

I don't believe most people voted for Reform as a protest vote, I think their manifesto offered what a lot of people actually want for the UK.

I really like some of their policies, especially the dumping of the inordinate ridiculous cost of Net Zero. That was a vote winning policy in itself.

Men have been killing in the name of religion for millena, it's about land resources and power it's not about religion.

One thing that is somewhat baffling is that considering Farage's central role in Brexit and how it's turned out to be a spectacular failure he has hardly been picked up on this during the election.

The other point I'd make is that mainstream politicians adopting hard-line positions emboldens and helps the far right flourish rather than helping defeat them - France is an instructive case study on this. And here in UK despite the hard right manoeuvres on Rwanda deportations and hostile environment by Conservative party this has helped lay the groundwork for Reform winning 4 seats (it also helps they punch above their weight with media influence).

Extending voting rights for all elections to all citizens including foreign workers would help counterbalance this. If you're good enough to work in the country and pay your taxes you should be able to have a say in how they're spent.

I'm terrified. Reform came in 3rd in Lincoln with just over 9000 votes.
While I understand that for some it was a protest vote, that's still a very high number.
It shows what a lot of your neighbours think of you.

Pps spoke about them being racist bigots, I do genuinely think that not all of them are. They just agree with some of the manifesto points - and some points look great at face value, if you don't critically think about how they'd achieve any of these promises. But if they ever win there would also be repercussions for women's rights, employers who employ foreign workers and many more. As a woman and an immigrant (despite moving here as a child, and life here being the only life I know) I'm genuinely scared for our future if in 4 years time they are elected.

Labour have real problems in defining a rich or wealthy person. I think the UK does generally.

Just watching the coverage, Rishi had a mention of multiculturalism in his farewell speech and just look at the rainbow of faces greeting Kier as he enters Downing Street. Today saying farewell to a Hindi prime minister and welcoming a working class lad with a Jewish wife I am proud of our multiculturalism. For me it is what makes this nation great.

I guess the question is who is the wealthy? A lot of people think its people that earn more than them regardless of what they earn in the first place! Starmer stated that a working person was someone who couldnt write a cheque if an unexpected bill came in? That is a very low bar although of course there are people who have no savings and are on NMW. Is that who is classing as Working Person?

Of course religion is a huge factor in Israel/Gaza/West Bank and very particularly Jerusalem. You cannot separate the conflict from religion.

Higher VAT on luxury goods.
Restrict relief on pension contribution (80% tax relief is too high).
Taper tax breaks for wealthy (no ISA allowance, VCT, etc).
increase CGT rates.
Tax undistributed corporate profits at source (was the case until 1989).
New council tax (possibly a co-efficient of income for homes > £2.5m).

There are many ways. Whether or not they create net economic gains is the big question!

Sorry exclusivly Muslim.

My mother wouldn't buy South African fruit in the 80's. I won't buy out of season vegetables grown under glass in Kenya while there are Keynans without enough to eat. Most educated peoples' consumer habits are to some extent informed by their ethics.

and those voters in Bradford and Leicester have a point , just like those not voting labour because of their stance of women's rights.

What do you mean by that ? I am just saying the Palestine issue is long standing and complex and not an inclusively " Muslim" issue. Whatever the fuck that means anyway.

Also surely more independent MPs is a good thing ?

Wow! What a sacrifice to boycott Israeli goods! How has he managed to survive?

I wonder if it's dawned on Nigel that as an MP he'll have to declare all financial interests?

Islam is a massive world religion I think what you mean to say is that there are large Bangladeshi , Pakistani and Palestinian communities in those constituencies. Not so sure about Islington North.....I would suggest that if you have relatives in Gaza you might be more invested in the major party's stance on this. Just like I am more likely to vote on the health agenda- there is nothing surprising or wrong with that.

Yeah, you're probably right and it's just a coincidence that the 4 independent MPs have been voted in in constituencys where there is a large Muslim vote 🙄