To people who voted Reform…

[InWithPeaceOutWithStress]

…and ended up with a Labour MP (due to splitting the conservative vote), how do you feel?

I think it is reasonable question actually. How do people feel? It’s not pious, it’s not controversial it’s just a question.

I will answer. I am gutted that we have a Labour MP because we had him for the last 4 years also and because he refused to engage with me because - his words - “we do not agree.” As far as I was aware you weren’t pushed to agree with all your constituents but you are honour bound to try and represent them.

So yes - I am disappointed. I am also disappointed by such a large Labour majority as I would have been by any such large majority as I don’t believe it is good for democracy. BUT we do live in a democracy for which I am inordinately grateful so I will give Starmer and Co the benefit of the doubt and see what happens.

I also suspect that a huge amount of the Reform vote was an anti-conservative vote, for which the Conservatives only have themselves to blame. Had we a PR system I suspect a lot of people would have been more circumspect in their voting.

Even MORE than they already bloody have? Bet it's because YOU don't have almost half your wage conviscated.

If it helps to give personal context, I’m a Labour voter so I’m not being sanctimonious. This is coming from a place of realising that Labour didn’t win because everyone switched to Labour. Labour won because the conservatives lost. I obviously would have preferred that Tory voters switched to Labour not reform. My feelings therefore aren’t sanctimonious…!

I’m retired too.

Ive paid loads of tax but happy to pay more.

Ok but it sounds like your struggling to understand how people can vote different to you.. What about people who voted Labour as swing voters but who voted for different things within the manifesto?
People who voted reform for different reasons also.
It's a lot to digest.

It's crazy how Labour literally had to do nothing other than sit back in this campaign. It wasnt so much a win as a Tory loss and Reform gain. Still, even without Reform it looks like Labour would have won a decent majority.

I live in a Labour stronghold so there was really little danger that anyone else would get in. I’m not left wing, don’t agree with a lot of labour’s plans and therefore voted for the only realistic option left to me since the Conservatives lost the plot.

The biggest danger to our constituency was the Islamist independent candidate who had nothing other than Free Palestine as his campaign.

I’m not asking why people voted, so again you are projecting that on to me.

I’m happy with the outcome.

Reform was never going to take power. In this election. But they ask the hard questions and don’t just follow the ‘accepted’ consensus.

Voting reform is a message that we don’t want identikit politicians and that the status quo is frankly 💩.

I wanted:

1. Farage in parliament where he will hold both Labour and the Tory’s feet to the fire.
2. The Tories to be routed enough to realise that we think they are lying charlatans and no we won’t put up with it forever.
3. Labour to realise that there is a lot of opposition to ‘woke’ and much of the left wing nonsense, and that a failure to govern for all will likely mean a bigger swing to Reform in the future at a time that the shine has worn off Labour.

I have exactly what I wanted. Very happy.

Thanks @Lalalacrosse! Interesting and that makes sense. Having a large vote share sends a strong message essentially, despite not winning all of those seats.

Why, will you be paying yourself?

I voted reform and got a labour MP.
Not thrilled but I didn't want labour or the conservatives so I knew I'd be settling for one. I didn't really want reform either so it was more a protest vote.

I hope now the labour MP sorts some local issues, lack of buses in semi rural village, weeds over growing in alleyways leading to a train station where we are lucky.
We have a parade of shops and parking is ridiculous and so unsafe pulling onto a main road due to people parking for hours, if your going to let a nail bar and two cafes open up provide the right parking to support it.
Nationally I want to get my nhs pay rise offer out as it's already late, I want opportunities for people to work and for there to be incentives for them to do so and I want no more lies.

Your taxes?

I knew that Labour would win in my area and respect the vote. I do feel a bit sad that only 46% of people registered to vote bothered though. I think that's the problem with a safe seat, people think their vote won't count.

I also live in Wales so no real change for us, over 20 years of labour rule here so we are used to it.

People who want higher taxes can always donate money to their local hospital or school. For all the people who want higher taxes it's odd that not more people do this.

Farage already promising "the next steps for our political revolt."

He's not interested in representing his constituents, he's only interested in agitating and self promotion. He's going to be a rubbish MP for his town.

Pah, I'm not going to pussyfoot, I'm going to say this. Congratulations people who voted Reform, you have voted for a party which believes fascism, neonazism, racism and most likely also sexism. Basically they are the BNP light. Well done. If it was a protest vote you could have voted for the greens, SNPs, raving loonies (that is after all why they are there!). But you chose to give seats to one of the most dangerous far right parties of our time. Hope you were educated enough to understand what they really stand for and therefore the implications of your actions. One day they might get in if they gain footholds you have given them**! Did you see the violence in France recently, the far right fascist leader Marine Lepen stands a good chance of being elected? Watch France with interest now if this happens and as they gain power! We could be seeing WW3 before you know it.

If on the other hand you are a fascist, racist or neonazi then well done you did chose the correct party for you.

x.com/ByDonkeys/status/1797651718852804923?t=E0q7Ol_4y82PamFAXs5f2Q&s=19

@Lalalacrosse George Osborne made the point on the ITV coverage that Farage might find Westminster hard to make himself heard in. He can't just speak whenever he likes in the house of commons.

And the Tories would have magically improved services without increasing taxes? Wow! Magic money.

Do you honestly think things are this simplistic?

@Lalalacrosse glad you're happy. What do you think about Farage seeing Andrew Tate as a great role model for boys? I think he's a misogynistic twat btw - does that make me woke?

In my case, I'd be happy to have higher taxes if it means better services. Absolutely. I'm on a relatively low wage and I'd be squeezed further with more taxes but long term it's the right thing to do to improve things for everyone.

Anyone who uses Andrew Tate as a reason to dislike Nige is best ignored. There's plenty other reasons you could use instead.

@SkippysEar eh? I don't understand what you mean. I have many reasons to loathe the man - one of them being that he champions Andrew Tate as a role model. I could give you many more - i.e he's a nasty, self serving , racist c*nt. See also Hitler.