A casual friend has just told me she's standing as a Reform candidate

[Mumblechum0]

And I have no clue how to respond.

I've always liked her, we're not close, ie don't do anything just the two of us, but are often in the same group at parties, book group, joint birthday bashes etc.

She's very posh, professional job, husband's a head fund manager (he walks round in a tweed cap and goes shooting on his family estate etc etc...just setting the scene, she's well educated etc.)

Anyway, she messaged me yesterday to say that she wanted me to know in advance that she's standing as a Reform candidate in our local elections; she didn't ask for my support, but didn't want me to just see her face on a leaflet through the door.

I'm married to a black man, have a mixed race son.

I haven't responded yet, as I don't know whether it's best to just ignore, or to say thanks for letting me know, or actually to say I'm quite horrified (which is my actual reaction).

Any ideas?

They were more popular than Lib Dem’s and should have more seats than them - they’re no longer a fringe party.

Now do your maths for what percentage didn’t vote for Labour?

I'd feel sorry for her as she must be a bit of an idiot. If we want an idea of how Reform will behave in government just look at the US and what the orange slug is doing

I'm not sure we should be pointing to this. Because if anyones main concern is illegal immigration, well he has actually proven very successful at curbing that.

I'm an immigrant, so reform certainly isn't in my best interests. As my dd is disabled, neither is my own party that I used to support (Labour) now!. However, seeing some of the changes in this area over the last ten years, I'm not sure I'd jump to assuming anyone who is concerned about immigration is just a racist.

I think reform is dangerous, but I also think that there must be a reason it is gaining popularity with so many people who aren't your typical 'Britain first' supporters. I think if those ordinary people concerns are ignored and belittled for much longer, that there will be no going back.

Mass uncontrolled immigration is for decent hard working immigrants, what the trans movement was to genuine transsexuals. It's going to blow back at all of us.

Our Friend (very ill) votes Conservative, lives in a council flat and has disabled benefits. Supports Reform! I mean WTF .he's DH Friend more than mine.cant see how anyone sane could think Farage would be good for anything at all really. In your case as PP said just acknowledge your friends message, I would say hi and bye if you see her .just keep in short

Apologies - I’d seen that about a dozen times in the thread above.

Ideas on stopping them? No - not a supporter of drowning them of course!

straight back on another boat home and no hotel for them? Absolutely - welcome to reforms view. Guess I’m ‘far right’ 🤷

we have an entry procedure that people are welcome to follow.

You have no idea that she is a racist. Like others said, there are black candidates for Reform. They also chuck racists out. It seems more a reputation (of the party), based on assumptions that far right parties are automatically racist, than grounded in any actual reality. I say this as a Labour supporter btw.

It would be good if they focussed on actual Green policies and the environment, instead of social engineering and redefining/removing womens rights. They ceased being for the environment a long long time ago.

They actively want to defund a Womens Aid centre because they only accept females = 'twwaannnnsphobic'. https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5285207-edinburgh-rape-crisis

What about Christian grooming gangs, or Jewish grooming gangs, or Scientologist grooming gangs?

Where does it mention race in that? You realise non-essential immigration means from everywhere, all over the board, including white anglo countries, places like Sweden, Canada, America, New Zealand, Australia, Finland, Norway, etc? Nowhere does it mention skin colour.

I’m sure they tell themselves that. But racism is not a deal-breaker for them.
And if you find racism tolerable in others and are content to vote for them or represent them, then you’re enabling racism. Which makes you a racist.

Black people can be racist. I don’t know why people think a party having black candidates means they cannot be racist or, specifically, their supporters can’t be.

You obviously think they should be used as target practice.

But that's like saying reverse racism is a thing. Most left wingers would say there is no such thing as a racist black person.

I guess in theory they can be. But racism is generally the provenance of white, as they are the ruling class with systemic racism set up in their favour.

I am aware there is a school of sociology thought that argues “racism = power”.

I don’t ascribe to that school of thought.

All the not-racist assertions smack of protesting too much to me. Genuinely not-racist Reform supporters and candidates need to ask themselves why so many online and real life discussions are enthusiastically embraced by people who merely want to express racist views. I never see anyone tell them to sling their hook.
It's not just about the racism either. (Just!) Look at Farage's ideas about healthcare.

@Mumblechum0

i would disown her as a friend as I have done with everybody who voted Brexit and ruined the UK economy and gave cover to even worse things.

that simple !

I believe, as do the majority of people I know both left and right of centre, that we have an entry protocol that should be stuck to.

turn up on a beach when you are an economic migrant means you should be turned around the same day - no ifs no buts.

(not shot at for the hysterical amongst you)

So long as she’s not sharing her political views with you on a regular basis, I don’t see why it matters. My husband and I have very very different political views in most respects but it’s not something that has caused an issue between us in the 50 years we’ve been together because we’re both mature adults and can accept that other people have opposing views. We’ve had many robust political debates over the years but his views don’t make him a different person from who he was when I met him and fell in love with him. I’ve also got a couple of friends with quite extreme views but that doesn’t stop me from being friends with them - we just know not to discuss politics.

Sounds like you have done everyone a favour there. You sound very immature.

Unfortunately for you and your acquaintances on various sides of the debate, there are laws we're signed up to.

In order to determine if someone is an economic migrant, they need to have their case processed. You can't just ask someone on the beach.

We're not talking about due process, we're talking about a Reform candidate describing how the army should be using people as target practice. He didn't sound hysterical to me.

Just reply with "reform does not fit with my views so sorry I won't be voting for you. See you next week at ...

Yes I've done that too. I generally like to associate with people with economic and political acumen greater than an invertebrate.

Do you prefer the economic mastermind that is Rachel from accounts? 😂

Funny you should say that- yes.

I see you are another one who thinks the 'rachel from accounts' line is a) acceptable and b) funny. It is neither.

Also, I bet you know less than her about economics.

From the outset I wouldn't be bothered with DH if he had diametrically opposed views to me. I think it just touches every aspect of your life, luckily he feels the same and politics, economics, society is always a talking point around our dinner table, with our teenagers, with our friends but we both grew up in households where this was very much the case.