Channel 4 undercover re Farage

I am not sure if Reform losing councilors is significant, because I don't see normal turnover reported in the press. If you see what I mean.

There have been more than 7 by elections on council level.

Reform have lost a lot of councillors, ofcourse not all resulted in by elections.

Durham lost 3 councillors yesterday. They now sit as independent.

True. Reform were expecting to be the largest party in the Senedd. Didn't happen.

PR has its drawbacks. Governments fall more often. Extreme parties get a lot of seats. But the extremists always end up showing themselves up for what they are. Reform has already been given a lot of rope. They're on the verge of losing Durham Council through their own infighting and incompetence. Chances are the Tories will get a lot of voters back, and tactical voting will damage Reform more than any other party.

There were also devolved parliament elections. Not FPTP.

@Theseagullwhisperer

There have been 7 by-elections since the last general election. Not a high figure considering there are 650 constituencies.

FPTP is unlikely to change as neither the conservative or Labour parties will support a change.

I don't disagree with this - which why I think it’s wild that Reform have spent so much of the past year shouting loudly that they should have a bigger seat at the political table, and even declaring themselves “the real opposition” despite their extremely low number of M.Ps, just because they were (until now) ahead in the polls.

I’m not a fan of FPTP and would like to see electoral reform, but I do also think a party who actually wants to be taken seriously as a political force needs to be able to perform well in the electoral system they’re actually in, which so far - judging by by-elections not polls - Reform haven’t done.

@Theseagullwhisperer

People can vote however they wish, including tactically. I voted Labour in 2024 to keep the conservatives out. Not because I thought Labour was the best party.

Polls are pointless when it comes to general elections due to the FPTP system in the UK.

Reform’s problem is that the tactical vote against them is getting stronger all the time: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-uk-nigel-farage-tactical-voting-poll-b3050048.html

And they’re caught between a rock and a hard place, because their hardcore supporters want them to continue to defend the indefensible - like for example laughing from the stage while a peaceful protestor is assaulted - but all that does is make them seem more extreme, therefore further strengthening that tactical vote. It’s the same with these £72million pound donations from billionaires - of course that money is a gift in some ways, but it’s also a poisoned chalice, further cementing the growing view they are untrustworthy, and in the pockets of billionaires.

This caught my eye. Using ratepayer money instead of donations. Fair enough as it is a "public service"

Reform UK hires patrol to monitor 'asylum seeker' areas | Metro News

I had a quick look for the job advert, just out of interest but could not find it. But I did say quick look. I suspect a private company ? Anyway, I am not going to lookup their requests for tenders.

Latest from Wales is that Dan Thomas is being investigated for assault and controlling or coercive behaviour.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/police-investigation-continues-assaults-reform-111026046.html

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "Our investigation into a number of assaults that took place at the Reform UK National Conference at the NEC continues.

"One man has been voluntarily interviewed as part of the investigation, and a number of other suspects have been identified.

"We would continue to appeal for anyone with information, or who was the victim of an assault, to come forward, quoting log 1106 of September 3."

Latest from the West Midland Police is that those who were attacked at the Reform Party conference have still not come forward. Odd.

https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/26551600.complaints-bracknell-councillor-reform-uk-party-conference/

@RedTagAlan

For someone that does not believe in polls, you sure do mention them a lot.

I don’t think they are helpful due to the FPTP electoral system used in the UK.

For someone that does not believe in polls, you sure do mention them a lot.

@DuncinToffee

Maybe they can use some of the £72m on legal fees for their Welsh leader?

If the £72 million has to be returned, how?

You might want to check the polls on Farage's 's popularity and on whether or not Reform is to be trusted.

Maybe they can use some of the £72m on legal fees for their Welsh leader?

PollCheck figures as of today

Labour 25.3%
Reform 23.6%

A difference of 1.7%.

That’s less than half the 4% difference between leave and remain referendum in 2016 which remain supporters said was insufficient to make an informed decision.

Yes, a group at Cambridge raised a petition re: Dr James Orr, 5 years ago

There can be no doubt that the Divinity Faculty now faces a crisis of credibility, especially as it purports to be a centre for moral and ethical enquiry. As members of both the Divinity Faculty and wider University, we urge Faculty Officers to take the concrete steps necessary to remedy the ills wrought by the behaviour of one of its senior members.

That was another ethics advisor who wasn't qualified in ethics.
What is it with these experts in ethics who don't seem to consider ethics

Farage thinks he didn’t have to as it was personal gift as opposed to party donation. Whether the investigation agrees or not is not yet known.

Then he's not very intelligent. The rules are very clear and easy to find. Any donation in the 12 months before a person decides to stand as an MP must be declared. It's really simple. He's either very stupid or so arrogant that he thinks the rules don't apply to him. I'm going with number 2.

Farage was very vocal on the investigation into Rayner.

I am sure he would welcome the same standards applying to him.

In at least 6 different cases

@BrandiedAromatics

She did break the ministerial code and I think that is important when she is commenting on these matters.

I agree. Double standards all the way

Yes, and some tax experts think she should have been fined because she did not heed the recommendations to take further advice. She did break the ministerial code and I think that is important when she is commenting on these matters.

Been there, done that.