To be really worried about Reform?

[FiveHorse]

Just that really. They’re predicted to gain the most from the upcoming elections, if this carries on could we see a reform government at the next general elections? Or is it press scaremongering as usual?

I genuinely think reform will do well.
But the reason is why. Why are people voting reform?
Is conservative too "small c" and people want more "C" conservative policies?

People on mumsnet get absolutely annihilated when voting conservative- why is that?
If left leaning people berate people whose political views are on the right anyway. Even if centre right...may as well go far right...

Disclaimer- NOT a reform voter

This reminds me of local elections in the 00/10s when UKIP was up and coming, they did really well, and we saw how that worked out. I really wish people would use their critical thinking skills rather than “this is shit, there must be something better” and assuming something different is better.

It is extremely frightening. I imagine a lot of people who will vote for them want to blow up the existing system, and the only party they see that will do this is reform. It really doesn't matter what happens after as long as the existing status quo is completely destroyed.

I don't think they're likely to be in positions of power any time soon. But for me personally, the 4 seats they have is 4 too many.

I understand that people want change, but the posts that pop up on my timeline from Reform candidates are mind blowingly awful. Blatant racism, xenophobia and scaremongering.

I'm not tied to any party. I voted Labour last time as I really wanted change and I didn't want to 'waste' a vote in my area. I'm not opposed to everything they've done like some people, but they have disappointed me in some things. But I honestly cannot understand why some people think Farage 'speaks for the man on the street', he does not. He has 0 interest in the man on the street and has done nothing to prove himself of any value in his constituency so far.

I'm hoping they do really well and win all thats ti be won. The current two party system completely ignores the vast majority of people's opinions and lies to us all the time. They need to be shown the door. Reform is coming 😁

Except the UK doesn't just have two parties.

Yes, Farage has been running the same grift for years—start a "new" party (really just a rebrand), spout whatever populist talking points are currently trending, even if they completely contradict his previous positions. The arch-Thatcherite is suddenly all for nationalisation? Sure...

UKIP, the Brexit Party, Reform—it's all just the Farage Party.

What always happens is that the Farage Party does well in the local (and previously European) elections, then fails dismally to actually govern at any level. This is because it isn't a functioning political party with the necessary infrastructure or policy platform, but a personality cult with loads of infighting between the egotistical blowhards at the top.

When it all collapses again he'll return in a few years with a new brand and a new campaign about something he couldn't give two shits about, but anything to keep the TV appearance and after dinner speaking money rolling in.

We plan to leave The Uk for the majority of the year in around 5 or 6 years but will accelerate this if Farage becomes PM.
We would be ok as we are white and not poor but I still loathe him and can't look at his stupid face.
I also can't live in a country who would elect someone like that

What is it bringing?

I very much doubt people will vote for such an unknown quantity.

They are campaigning a lot in our village with big meetings and signs. I boo them when driving past, they can’t hear me but it makes me feel better.

They will, same as they did for UKIP, and it will fall apart before the general election, same as UKIP did

Immigration is the main Reform driver, I think and a a wish to be back in the 1950s or something.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the shit show that is Trumpism US will put people off voting for greedy , racist rich pricks and the want to blow shit up.
But as Brexit has shown us, very dissatisfied people tend to vote against their own interests , so I don't hold out much hope .

What, specifically, worries you about them?

Don’t worry, they’re just a vehicle for the protest votes. Like the Greens. But at least the Greens have been a force for good and the mainstream parties try and take some greenery on board.

This too.

It wouldn't surprise me, OP.

Even the Labour die-hards around me are hanging their heads in despair. When it gets like this, people will naturally be tempted by something different to disrupt the two horse race.

I know a few people planning to vote Reform, and they're not the types you would expect at all. Labour could have avoided this by a) actually listening to their electorate and b) not answering 'financial black hole!!!' to every question ever posed to them. Starmer is a detestable PM and that's saying something given some we've had!

Might it be better that they get into councils now so people can see how they do?
Where I am the councillors are local and known, the Reform candidates are all "address withheld" and a few (I haven't researched wisely) are not local.

If Reform get in where I am, I'd be happy to use them for every single issue in my town and see how they get on.

Chatting to a Reform supporter the other day, I was asking him which of the current MPs he admired. He looked a bit blank and said he trusted "Nigel" to do the right thing and bring the change we need. Maybe if our A&E closed down, he'd change his mind. Although maybe not, that will still be Keir's fault.

I don't have a crystal ball but I think what people say they will do and what they actually do are often two very different things. I think it's easy to SAY you are voting from something when it's all a but hypothetical.

The polls may even be correct but we are several years away from a General Election (probably) and lots is likely to change between now and then.

Also, they may get a lot of seats in local elections in May, but they then have to prove their worth in those posts. If my opinion of them is right, they will fail miserably at that. If I am wrong, then I am wrong and my fears are probably unfounded.

Labour and the Tories are essentially the same and have consistently refused to follow through with their promises (re immigration etc), so people are looking elsewhere. It's totally understandable and predictable if you look at what's been happening in Europe.

I do sometimes think that the two big parties get the votes as it's seen as voting for the best of a bad bunch and it's a case of you think you know what you're getting.

Some votes are done out of duty to being able to vote, but going on local social media responses I think there are more and more people tuning in and looking at what reform could/would do for the country.

I've never gone out of my way and looked into their policies as I wasn't interested, but I vividly remember when the GE was due and the TV had candidates from each party up on a stage having their say, each party candidate being heckled by the others, except when Farage spoke, they all stood looking at him and not one said a word, he never said anything that could be classed as racism so not a dumfounded moment, or anything untoward, but still to this day, when I hear 'reform party' mentioned wonder why they didn't heckle him.

Our local MP was voted in as a change after many years of being the same party, likes a photo shoot but leaves when the camera stops rolling and that's where it ends.

I'd like to be able to tick a vote of no confidence box, or a breach of contract one after all the bullshite lies would be another, but alas not sure how that would end.

I think they'll do quite well but they won't run the country. So stop worrying.

Well they've got my vote.

I'm also really worried. I think Reform would bend over backwards to tie us to Trump's America, including deals which would put the NHS on the table in favour of a for-profit insurance based health system. I'm dismayed at how little backbone Starmer has, but the thought of Farage in power toadying up to the right wing in the USA is just horrific.

I disagree with those who think this couldn't happen and it'll just be a UKIP style flash in the pan protest vote. That was said about Brexit and Trump. Politics is anything but predictable these days, especially with the ease with which things can be influenced and meddled with.