Channel 4 undercover re Farage

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.

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?

@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?

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

@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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

@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.

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

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.

There were also devolved parliament elections. Not FPTP.

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 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.

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.

Yes thanks. This is the first time I've seen tactical voting mentioned on Mn threads and I think it is very important. The most organised I've seen was in Totnes when I was visiting and saw a poster before the GE. They had meetings and even posters saying "I am a Green voter but I'm voting LibDem", and so on. A Dartmoor landowner, who had given money to UKIP and the Tory MP, had helped concentrate the campaign - he wanted to stop us having picnics, etc.

So the Tory lost and the LibDem was elected. And Darwall lost his Dartmoor restrictions campaign too - sometimes there is hope!

The downside of tactical voting is that the party who gets in thinks they have more support than what they actually do. They then think that no matter what changes are introduced, there will be no objections as they have so many seats.

Labour U-turn on winter fuel allowance comes to mind. Unemployment increased after Labour made it more expensive to employ people.

Yet you done it, rather than vote Reform ?

@RedTagAlan

Yet you done it, rather than vote Reform ?

Yes. I voted Labour in 2024. Several reasons:

They pledged to smash the trafficking gangs.
No tax rises.
No return to either the customs union or the single market.
To reduce the Conservatives chances of winning.

I voted Conservative in 2019 as Boris said he would get Brexit over the line. Until Brexit happened, the UK was in a state of paralysis and everything else was being ignored.

I think that is the first time I have ever seen anyone say they voted labour cos no tax rises.

Remind me how many of those Reform have won.

@blossomtoes

Remind me how many of those Reform have won.

One, Clacton. The next general might not happen until 15 Aug 2029. Anything can happen in that time. Also, if taxes are increased again in the next budget, that will make three in a row.

@RedTagAlan

I think that is the first time I have ever seen anyone say they voted labour cos no tax rises.

Sadly it never happened. Taxes have risen in the last two budgets. Might happen again in the next budget.