Mumsnetters voting Reform

[Illjustplayostrich]

Mumsnet mothers have always leaned Labour. Now Reform is ahead

https://www.thetimes.com/article/dbd39087-465c-4587-9eaa-292606ffb775?shareToken=a99daa444e8bc0f9444cca2bf01f3851

I'm slightly startled by this. I'm a centrist, slightly more right leaning perhaps but frankly I'm open to any government who will get a firm grip on the public finances and go about growing the economy in a sustainable way. My impression of this site is that it's definitely more left leaning and and Reform enthusiasts tend to get shouted down. Personally, I think we should be talking about them a lot more as it's highly likely they will form part of the next government.

My impression is that they are promising the earth but don't have people with the necessary skill set to make that happen. I really worry that they will get voted in and find out that they can't fix all the problems within 18 months, leading to yet more disillusionment amongst voters.

Yes I know it is because you are still in the 12% who approve. But to those who do loathe them, and there are many, your paragraph applies.

Cult of personality, exactly.

If Tice had remained leader I don't think Reform would be doing so well.

@EasternStandard It seems your loathing of Labour is blurring your ability to see the hard evidence of the heavy scrutiny Labour is under from the media.

In the theme of polls, I saw Reform proudly announcing that the majority of its readers would vote Reform - if the DM returns their support, it will be the first time they haven’t got behind the Tories since they advocated for Oswald Mosley and his blackshirts in 1934.

Labour are and should be under heavy scrutiny. They're the government. It's their decisions that impact our lives.

I said many people loathe them, that’s all there in polling and focus groups if you look.

And part of the reason why is what you posted. Ik you don’t want to hear it, and Labour probably doesn’t either but people are giving them feedback.

Good news all round. Oh.. hang on..

We’re not really Allowed to talk about definitions of poverty. Bit like we weren’t Allowed to talk about biological reality.

Following your logic, if Reform subsequently smash Labour - what comment does that make about Labour???

You must realise it takes many years to train a teacher?

Figures that show a net fall of 400 are up to November 2024, there are no newer ones.
So down to Tory policies.... i'm sure you'll agree.

I completely agree.
My point is, if we’re being repeatedly told that Reform are predicted to win many local elections in May, and according to polls are likely to form our next government according and Farage will be our next PM, isn’t it about time that the party and its policies are also put under increasing scrutiny?

Recruit (and retain). So net, net.

6,500 divided by 5 = 1,300/year.

They are clearly not hitting that run rate….

Its widely known definition, families on less than 60% mean wage after housing.

Other measures on absolute poverty but none of this is a secret or barred from talking about.

Google is your friend.

Bit of a weird post if i'm honest.

They wont hit it, same as their house building either, silly promises to make, like the Tories 5000 new GPs...

At best they'll stem numbers leaving.

I'm not defending them, its a pity some on the right cannot bring themselves to be critical of the Tories/Reform too.

You’ve seriously misunderstood me - there are many things I can and do criticise about the current Labour government (although there are positives too) and I read the polls and the news, so I know exactly what you’re saying is true. I’m not here to persuade people to blindly vote Labour - if voting tactically for an alternative at the next election meant keeping Reform out, then I would do it.

Lots of things can be true at the same: I’m a long-term Labour voter; I can see both the positives and negatives in this government; I think Farage is a charlatan; I’m frustrated by how Reform aren’t held to account in the same way as other parties and I’m genuinely very alarmed about the prospect of a Reform government and not in a right vs left, Tories vs Labour way.

I would like to see more scrutiny, but Reform don't have a manifesto for the next election yet. I hope it will be scrutinised when it is published, but I fear it will be glossed over if enough people are desperate for change.

I understand where you're coming from, but I could also say the same about Labour in the run up to the last GE. Everybody knew their manifesto was a joke, but Labour got away with the whole "fully funded" etc because nobody wanted to hear it. I and others were shouted down for pointing that out. People just wanted the tories out.

In terms of Farage the politicians who fear that he will do it seem to have decided on attacking the person. It’s all trying to remove him as a candidate.

In terms of scrutiny over policies it’s fine to ask for that, I’d prefer that discussion, but those who oppose seem to be focussing on a person over policies and the media are picking it up. They’d have to switch from that strategy.

This could well be true.

But the difference is, the next GE is in 3.5 years time, Labour can turn things around with Reform having plenty of time to mess up.

It should be remembered Reform have, historically little support, around 25% according to YouGov.

Even more optimistic polls show less than 30%, thats 70% who oppose them.

Neither main party is too far behind, on around 20%.. in 2022, the Tories were 10% ahead of Labour....

How you determine who is on the right from MN posts, I will leave to you.

I will say that whilst I am critical of all parties, Labour - being in government - have the largest influence on my life - and the same for many of us.

To date, it has been largely negative.

It’s not attacking him as a person - it’s looking closely at his previous record and holding him to account (which he doesn’t deal with very well at all, which doesn’t bode well for a potential PM). It’s because people fear who he is, what he’s about, what he stands for, what he’s done - they’re right to be frightened. It’s a totally different viewpoint than if one was viewing Badenoch, Sunak, May, Major, etc. as PM. It’s not a matter of political differences, it’s genuine concerns about Farage and his party, who their donors are, associated links to Russia/Putin, the links to the BNP/EDL within his party membership, etc. etc.

But Farage is Reform. Without him the support would probably crumble back to what it was prior to his return. Tice and the others have none of the skills of Farage. So, like it or not, it makes sense for those opposed to Reform to focus on Farage.

Plus as pps say, Reform is being very shy about its actual policies. I wait with interest what their plans are for Wales.

I think it would be a mistake to think that removing Farage will make much difference at this stage. Possibly a year ago, but its too far gone now.
Those millions of people backing Reform won't simply switch back to the main parties. They'll look for another figure head.

If English people decide Putin's Puppet Party is the way forward for the UK, there's nothing I can do about it.🤷‍♀️

I'm just glad I have dual nationality. I might even find myself living in the EU without even having to move house.😆

Yes that’s the approach. It’s not on policy. If you want to hear about policy first they’d have to switch.

Idk which one would work more for what you’re after, I guess that can only be known closer to the GE.

Perhaps when they come up with some proper policies the shift will change - Senedd elections are in 5 months and Farage says it’s too soon for policies, so I won’t hold my breath.

I think this is an oversimplification.

Reform are totemic for a significant number of voters, hugely disillusioned with Labour, and yes, the Tories. Look at the polling delta, MoM - it has been almost linear since Labour entered government.