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 agree. Reform UK have said in their first month of power they would order an independent review into the grooming and rape gangs. Jess Philips just wants to sweep it all under the carpet.

I think Rishi Subsk had one if the highest iqs and distributed one of the most socialist policies during Covid.

Pulling out of ECHR and having a British bill of rights would be a very popular action for many people including me.

I think they may actually win.

I hope they don't, but if they do, we will see a similar scenario to Brexit - people listening to false promises and the country going to shite with irremediable damage being done.

I genuinely believe that Farage simply does not have the capability to be an effective PM and will finish running this country to the ground. It is as simple as that.

Exactly, goodness, we are all doomed!

This is it really, and we saw the same with Brexit. So much apathy, or outright discontent/ hatred, of the main parties translates into votes for new parties simply because people are fed up with the status quo not making their lives better. So they vote for disruption for the sake of disrupting. I mean, I voted Labour and would never contemplate voting Reform (or even Conservative tbh). But even I can understand why there is so much disillusionment among the electorate. You vote for parties you think can and will make a positive change, and when it doesn't happen and you get more of the same then of course you're more likely to be attracted to mavericks. It's utterly depressing.

Covid wasn't representative of how they ran the country, it was a national emergency that just happened to occur when they were in.

What about the PPE scandal that occurred during that time? That's more representative of the behaviour of the last government.

Reform say they will reduce immigration to managable levels and deporyt illegal migrants. These are attractive promises and I am unsurprised they are popular.

Because he's a thick grifter. Like trump.

Nigel Farrage did not manage to deliver on his Brexit promises so how on earth do you think he's going to deliver on anything else?

I disagree. Illegal immigration isn’t being ‘amplified’. It’s totally out of control. All of the parties agree that it is. Their procrastination to crack on and deal with it will allow the less than desirable reform to become mainstream.

It's simple. Both parties are scared of losing votes to reform. Both parties will implement reform policies in order to convince voters not to vote for them.

It's the way politics works in a FPTP system, and why UKIP was ultimately successful in forcing Brexit even though it never gained a significant amount of parliamentary seats. Cameron was so scared of UKIP he offered Tory voters a referendum to try to stay in power. He won and the rest is history.

Re Labour and the Tories moving to the right, probably you have had your head in the sand if you need this explaining. I'm not going to bother.

There's more to running a country than deporting some illegal migrants though, as people will soon find out if they are ever elected to govern.

Yes and the Canadians have seen right through that and voted in Liberals. I doubt very much the British are more inclined to vote for Reform when they can see how that is playing out in the U.S!

That's what I can't understand I really don't get it, people were hoodwinked during Brexit and yet here they are being hoodwinked again and falling for it again.

This is the most accurate and reasoned post on this that I’ve read for a while.

It’s far, far easier for the smaller parties to win council seats than parliament seats. I’ve worked on election counts. The ballot boxes from the smallest rural council wards contain fewer than 20 votes. The ballot box for an urban ward might contain hundreds of votes, but voter turnout is rarely high. In fact, it’s often less than 20%.

It’s not unheard of for a council election to result in a tie and the result to be decided by a coin toss. In at least one instance, the crucial seat which decided which party would have overall control of a council was settled by a coin toss.

They aren't popular, maybe in certain parts of the country and saying they are again and again isn't going to change that!

I'm still not feeling confident 😬

We already have a British bill of rights: The Human Rights Act.

Yes it would. But sadly I think it is the only way to do deal with illegal immigration. The ECHR has been hijacked by illegal immigrants and is being used for reasons it was never intended. They block up the system and make it extremely difficult to allow safe immigration for those fleeing from harm. Everyone pretty much agrees on this but it is unpalatable to say so publicly.

Farage is canny and recognises Trump's excesses are damaging for him. That's why he's toned down his rhetoric.

Agreed. if only a party had the balls to do it.

Well you would have to be pretty stupid to not see through that and think that they could run services efficiently and reconcile council accounts.

Very good question!

Ironically back to DH country South Africa (xenophobia is rife but there is gradual change, he was born 1990 so is part of and believes in the rainbow nation) 2nd country in the world to legalise LGBT marriage and has a very modern constitution (unlike UK which is a feudal state)

He has a European (Hungarian) passport so there are options to go anywhere in EU… however not Hungary because again, racist, homophobic EURH) forgetting that we’d struggle to learn the language it’s complex. (Also they are Russia's pet)

Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain or Portugal would be viable options. Scandinavia too cold for him even though had Swedish Grandparent.

He can work in his current company as is an international tech company in English. Could probably pick up Dutch quickly as speaks Afrikaans. He has family in France and Portugal who’ve thrived and learnt the languages.

Personally, I’d be the weak link as can’t access Hungarian passport need to be married for 10 years … Would have to knuckle down and learn language or work remotely with UK clients (I have a small business) and earn what I could. Or teach English if I’m lucky. I am a nurse but a MH nurse so skills aren’t transferable. I work with Irish Nurse who taught English for 10 years whilst living in his husband’s home country Spain.

I grew up in Manchester with a patriotic mother who would probably vote reform or conservative, I wasn’t brought up to believe anywhere but the UK is home or anywhere could be better.

I am different, i’ve travelled extensively and lived in South Africa for short periods, the UK is amazing in many ways however it’s declined in my lifetime (I’m early 30’s) and now I’ve left the NHS I feel less inclined towards spending the rest of my life sitting in a sinking ship. Bit of a rant there!

What about you? 😊