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.

The number of votes was far higher per MP due to the FPTP system. At over about 30% it changes markedly.

FPTP. They got more votes than the lib/dems who go 72 seats. And their support has increased significantly since then including from the groups I described in my post.

I'm Reform agnostic. I know that after 14 years of Tory ineptitude and now Labour inertness, we're in a real pickle. And it's only the right that are making the analysis that matters, that the state itself is impossible to wrangle as things stand, putting the thought in to how to re-wire the system. None of this is coming from Labour, LDs, Greens, left think tanks.
So, of Reform and the Tories provide the ideas on change required and the tools on how to do it, that's when I'll seriously consider Farage.

Fair point. But Reform is stuck with FPTP so they need to hang on to their big lead for another three years to win a GE. Do you think they can do it?

Hey Reform supporters. Do you think we will change anyone’s opinions here? When I started commenting on this thread I was convinced that it was obvious that we needed Reform to save the country and so when I put forward my arguments I could change minds. I have been on a political journey from Labour when young then conservative them UKIP and now Reform. Some was a result of events in the world the country and in my life but I was influenced by reading and listening to other viewpoints and thinking about the arguments being developed. I don’t think I will change a singe persons mind on this site so I will now go silent and watch with interest and hope other supporters continue the fight.

Your views are just as important and valid as anyone else's.
Just ignore when necessary.

So, you're gonna leave it to me to carry on the pro Reform banner?
I'll do my best...
Whether you'll convince anyone, I think there's too much polarisation of politics.
I'm someone who wouldn't have gravitated to Farage 15 years ago, even 10.
But my politics have changed almost 180 because of the left's relentless culture war of the last decade, and the Tory govt asleep at the wheel, certainly since Johnson and the Boriswave, but in hindsight all the way back to Cameron in 2010.

Stay, it’s good to have more voices on here.

Have you seen the state of the country, Reform has way more than enough fuel to the GE. Labour provide more every day that goes by.

If you don’t mind me asking and please feel free to ignore, but what were/are your thoughts on Dominic Cummings?

You've seen his recent Spectator podcast hosted by Michael Gove and Annabel Denham?
His analysis is spot on. What solutions he has, that's another Q.

Not pro-Reform, but I liked some of Dominic Cummings' early random thoughts and his substack on industrial policy was stimulating. He spoiled his argument by going to Barnard's Castle ignoring the UK's innate fair play setting that we should all play by the same rules. Divisive character, but too pleased with his own cleverness.

I am speaking about people who I know so it's not patronising. One of them probably thinks they will be able to vote on Facebook and it will count.
I have not got or do not need a strategy to keep them out. I am a lowly individual who has no influence anywhere.

No, I haven’t - that would be a very tough listen for me with those three (to say the least), but it’s good to do that sometimes. Your broken state comment just made me think of Cummings.

It's Barnard Castle he visited.

I don't know. Labour is likely not to recover, but that doesn't mean everyone will turn to Reform. Tactical voting will be a problem for them.

The other obstacle is finding quality candidates. That seems to be a struggle for Reform. How many do they need for the English local elections in May?

I wonder what he is up to these days.

I don't mean everyone will flock to Reform, I mean that the reasons pushing people to Reform will be provided every single day.
FWIW, my view is that Reform and the Tories will tack towards each other, leaving Right voters a simple choice in their area re tactical voting between Reform and the Tories, leaving a much more complex decision for Left voters to tactically vote between Labour, LDs, Greens, YP (and SNP/Plaid where relevant).
I've even heard die hard Left anti Faragists say they'll vote Tory if need be.

He's running a lot of political analysis, focus groups, liasing with Farage a little.
James Orr is the heavyweight providing ideological heft to Reform's project of a Grand Restoration, primarily rolling over the EqA, HRA (and I hope the GRA), plus exit from ECHR.

I, being a die hard lefty, would vote Tory to keep Farage out. I might need a lie down and a strong drink afterwards, but I'd do it.

Perhaps my public service posting hasn’t been entirely wasted…

I saw Reform had been working with James Orr - alarm bells, for me. Staunch anti-abortionist. I’ll be anxiously watching how close to Christian nationalism Reform get. Kruger’s defection fits.

Last year, he was reportedly advising Elon Musk, during the time when Musk was attacking Starmer, Jess Phillips, etc. and really focusing on the UK.

Advising Reform.

Hope he gets around to a new wardrobe

22 Labour councils planning to postpone local elections. 22!
If you were trying your very best to get Reform a landslide at the next GE, you couldn't do any better than this.