Is Reform done for?

anotherside · 2026-08-03T16:56:46+00:00

The last several recent national polls indicate that the election of Burnham as leader has seen Labour retake the lead and would probably form a minority government (or better) if an election was held tomorrow. Reform meanwhile is in the low 20s, while they’re were averaging low 30s just six months ago. Do you think it’s game over for Reform in terms of the next election? Is Burnham enough to secure the next election for Labour? Or could Reform claw it back still?

NoWordForFluffy · 14/08/2026 19:10

Christ, this thread is a painful read after a long day at work! 😫

TemperanceWest · 14/08/2026 16:53

chipsandcurrysaucewithpickles · 14/08/2026 15:42

As I said, at least they offered, which was more than the Burnham Brigade did when they pushed Josh Simons out of the way to enhance the career of Air Miles Andy.

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I find it slightly amusing that you have something in common with Lucy "burn the bastards" Connolly. She made the same mistake as you today.

Binnyforthewin · 14/08/2026 16:37

chipsandcurrysaucewithpickles · 14/08/2026 16:06

???

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It an entry in the "most ironic" post of the day awards.

KittyCorncrake · 14/08/2026 16:16

Farage increased his majority, on a lower turnout (traditionally lower turnouts in by elections)
He actually won against all other parties , since they chickened out (as they knew they would lose) and urged their supporters to vote for the BBC hustler shill ‘comedy’ candidate who all the MSM were rooting for…
So he retained those who voted for him before and gained more… which is why the MSM are desperate to find anything on him.
Gifts received by Wes Streeting, SirKier et al.. while IN OFFICE all ignored.
Gift (not donation) given to private citizen Farage /all this process.
Pathetic and transparent.

chipsandcurrysaucewithpickles · 14/08/2026 16:06

BIossomtoes · 14/08/2026 16:06

You need to transmit a little less and receive a lot more.

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???

BIossomtoes · 14/08/2026 16:06

chipsandcurrysaucewithpickles · 14/08/2026 15:56

I hope so, I've been trying to explain it for about 10 minutes !

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You need to transmit a little less and receive a lot more.

luckylavender · 14/08/2026 16:00

chipsandcurrysaucewithpickles · 14/08/2026 15:57

Not when their original choice had been removed for no good reason, except for a political advantage.

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Arguably they did well out of it. Traditionally the seats of serving PMs are well looked after.

chipsandcurrysaucewithpickles · 14/08/2026 15:57

BIossomtoes · 14/08/2026 15:55

Well, they had the choice, didn’t they? They could have voted for any of the candidates and more voted for Burnham than all the others put together. That’s definitely democracy.

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Not when their original choice had been removed for no good reason, except for a political advantage.

chipsandcurrysaucewithpickles · 14/08/2026 15:56

BIossomtoes · 14/08/2026 15:53

The message might just sink in soon.

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I hope so, I've been trying to explain it for about 10 minutes !

BIossomtoes · 14/08/2026 15:55

chipsandcurrysaucewithpickles · 14/08/2026 15:53

The electorate of Makerfield voted for Josh Simons in good faith. They chose their MP. But the Burnham Brigade said "Oh no we can't allow that, we want to get rid of Starmer, so your MP is going away and we'll give you another one to vote for who'll have a chance of being PM."

Democracy my fat aunt !

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Well, they had the choice, didn’t they? They could have voted for any of the candidates and more voted for Burnham than all the others put together. That’s definitely democracy.

BIossomtoes · 14/08/2026 15:53

soddingspiderseason · 14/08/2026 15:50

Its illegal.

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The message might just sink in soon.

chipsandcurrysaucewithpickles · 14/08/2026 15:53

soddingspiderseason · 14/08/2026 15:49

In what way were Makerfield electors “political pawns”? Reform threw everything at winning that seat and failed. It was a perfectly democratic election. Not understanding your point?

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The electorate of Makerfield voted for Josh Simons in good faith. They chose their MP. But the Burnham Brigade said "Oh no we can't allow that, we want to get rid of Starmer, so your MP is going away and we'll give you another one to vote for who'll have a chance of being PM."

Democracy my fat aunt !

luckylavender · 14/08/2026 15:51

soddingspiderseason · 14/08/2026 15:49

In what way were Makerfield electors “political pawns”? Reform threw everything at winning that seat and failed. It was a perfectly democratic election. Not understanding your point?

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Yes, in what way? Tell us what you mean exactly rather than flinging out cute phrases. We think you dislike Burnham, that's ok. You are entitled to your opinion without making things up.

soddingspiderseason · 14/08/2026 15:50

chipsandcurrysaucewithpickles · 14/08/2026 15:42

As I said, at least they offered, which was more than the Burnham Brigade did when they pushed Josh Simons out of the way to enhance the career of Air Miles Andy.

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Its illegal.

5128gap · 14/08/2026 15:49

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This reply has been hidden until the MNHQ team can have a look at it.

soddingspiderseason · 14/08/2026 15:49

chipsandcurrysaucewithpickles · 14/08/2026 15:47

Just like Burnham's Brigade used the good voters of Makerfield as political pawns. That was just plain sneaky.

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In what way were Makerfield electors “political pawns”? Reform threw everything at winning that seat and failed. It was a perfectly democratic election. Not understanding your point?

luckylavender · 14/08/2026 15:48

But honestly this thread is called Is Reform done for? And my opinion is that they will implode. They will do themselves in. Farage doesn't appear to be able to work with everyone, Yusuf is causing trouble, the police at looking at Tice, Jenrick wants a solicitor with him at all times, Braverman has disappeared. And taking all those failed Tories was a huge mistake as it will always be a stick to beat them with.

nomoreforks · 14/08/2026 15:48

If Andy Burnham works on improving the economy rather than taxing people more (particularly in the South) then he has a chance to win the next election. If he goes a bit crazy tax-wise then I think the economy will tank even further. Lots of people in the South are struggling as much as those in the north and east/west. The people I know who actually are wealthy have got visas and properties overseas which they could leg it to iif required for tax purposes so are very mobile. It will those of us who are left who will bear the brunt if this happens (and guessing will not be voting Labour again).

chipsandcurrysaucewithpickles · 14/08/2026 15:47

luckylavender · 14/08/2026 15:45

Them offering doesn't make them good guys. It's not possible. And they've used it to their advantage.

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Just like Burnham's Brigade used the good voters of Makerfield as political pawns. That was just plain sneaky.

BIossomtoes · 14/08/2026 15:46

chipsandcurrysaucewithpickles · 14/08/2026 15:42

As I said, at least they offered, which was more than the Burnham Brigade did when they pushed Josh Simons out of the way to enhance the career of Air Miles Andy.

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Because. It’s. Illegal. Why offer something that makes you look like an ignoramous?

luckylavender · 14/08/2026 15:45

chipsandcurrysaucewithpickles · 14/08/2026 15:42

As I said, at least they offered, which was more than the Burnham Brigade did when they pushed Josh Simons out of the way to enhance the career of Air Miles Andy.

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Them offering doesn't make them good guys. It's not possible. And they've used it to their advantage.

chipsandcurrysaucewithpickles · 14/08/2026 15:42

5128gap · 14/08/2026 15:37

It is the law that they can't pay for the election. Given they offered to, its clear that they either did not know this law, or did know it and cared so little for it they thought they would be above it.
Personally I think neither is true. They may know little about the laws but will have access to those that do so would have known their 'offer' would be declined by law. The important thing being that the rumour spread they were paying so the gullible, ignorant, and those who don't check facts may erroneously believe they did. Which appears to have worked!

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As I said, at least they offered, which was more than the Burnham Brigade did when they pushed Josh Simons out of the way to enhance the career of Air Miles Andy.

EasternStandard · 14/08/2026 15:37

5128gap · 14/08/2026 15:31

I think those who support him are happy to have him back. Which isn't the same thing as being happy with the whole unecessary palaver and expense of it all. Objectively speaking, what is there to be happy about? Not a single thing has changed! All I can conclude is if there are people who think he's done a good thing, they either enjoyed a bit of drama, or they don't understand that everything is exactly as it was before and think he's perhaps exonerated now or something. Who knows.

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You’re better off listening, it’s not unknown. Times radio has been a pretty good indicator of feelings. For example they covered the feedback to Labour MPs on the doorstep, which then prompted Starmer being ousted.

5128gap · 14/08/2026 15:37

chipsandcurrysaucewithpickles · 14/08/2026 15:16

I don't know what you're talking about or what laws you mean.

"but it shows they know little - or care little" as I said, now you read minds ?

Edited

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It is the law that they can't pay for the election. Given they offered to, its clear that they either did not know this law, or did know it and cared so little for it they thought they would be above it.
Personally I think neither is true. They may know little about the laws but will have access to those that do so would have known their 'offer' would be declined by law. The important thing being that the rumour spread they were paying so the gullible, ignorant, and those who don't check facts may erroneously believe they did. Which appears to have worked!

soddingspiderseason · 14/08/2026 15:32

BIossomtoes · 14/08/2026 13:41

Well we’ll just have to see, won’t we? You’re unconvinced by polls so we’ll have to wait three years until the next GE.

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Farage may be in prison by then for taking dodgy bungs from dodgy sources. He’s toast.