Reform winning big

[Keirawr]

Reform had a good night, winning county councils, probably will win a mayoral seat and won the parliamentary by election also.

You don’t have to be a Reform voter to acknowledge that they are taking votes off Labour. Or that they are being electorally effective.

No doubt the ‘basket of deplorables’ crowd will be along in a min with their usual quips calling reform voters names, having learned absolutely 0 from Brexit. Insult the voters at your peril.

These same people also totally miss the point that winning is winning. Feeling all moral and superior about ‘oh well, what will they actually do’ changes nothing.

Perhaps those who label everyone that wants immigration limiting as ‘racist’ Will think again. But likely not.

She’s the new mayor of greater Lincolnshire.

I don’t live in England but live in NI that is deeply divided along different lines. Politicians use fear to stay in power and people vote to keep the other side out. It’s depressing.

There is clearly however a group of people who Reform speak to, who feel the country is “on its knees” and who blame that on immigrants. All of politics is dog whistle polarisation now.

I’m pissed off that people are seeing the absolute shitshow happening in the US right now and have seemingly decided “yeah, I’d love some of that over here!”

Farage is a Temu Donald Trump and I seriously cannot believe people have voted for his ridiculous party.

I feel like if Reform win a GE it will swing Scotland back towards the independence debate again, although not sure if there will be anyone able to lead anywhere on that at the moment. But it will reignite it I’m sure.

I’m delighted because with the council’s they’ll finally have local scrutiny. I’m of th opinion they won’t beable to organise a piss up in a brewery.

I'm not Farage's biggest fan either but you are foolish if you really think any of Westminster has any more integrity than the next party. They are all mired in lies and scandals. They don't actually serve their constituents.

It's apathy, and it annoys me when people complain about politics and decisions made by politicians and they don't even vote. People have gone to prison, been tortured and died for the right to vote. "I can't think who to vote for"? Then go online, see which candidate has the policies you most agree with.

I'm delighted. Whoever is still voting for labour though needs their heads examining. Very few parts of the community they have not shafted. A very interesting morning!

Maybe, but garden variety erudition would be good. Lots of MC & WC people are good, persuasive, fluent speakers. These two acceptance speeches this morning were not impressive.

You’re not the only person saying that. What worries me is the reform supporters seem immune to being disappointed by them.

These are the people who pushed for Brexit. That’s going so well, I mean, it stopped immigration didn’t it.

What do people mean though ‘lessons need to be learned’. There’s actually just a policy difference here, no? Reform don’t believe climate change is human caused and that it’s a big deal / Labour do. People are free to choose the policies they want to see.

I think in many cases it's a protest vote against Labour and Conservative rather than a vote for Farage as such. He is a complete waste of space, all hot air with no thought out and costed policies i can see, and his record in parliament is terrible.

But, Kemi and Keir need to do something. There were high hopes for labour after many years of many people feeling very disillusioned with Conservative. But they have made even more of a mess if our economy, and our schools. Illegal immigration is higher than ever, cost of living is going up and people on good incomes are feeling really stretched, so people are going to look for a 3rd option. I 100% don't want reform, but I can see why many people have voted for them.

Would you have been just as critical if OP’s use of language if Labour had won and she’d written about it?

Well this is the biggest obstacle for the people demanding that Reform voters are not idiots to overcome.

On the plus side I guess she'll have to move out of Yorkshire!

I cannot believe someone would see her name and think she is the woman for the job. This country is just so unserious.

Yes!!! This is what I keep saying. Why don't we listen (saying we as I am a full leftie) so far I've predicted Trump both times, BoJo and Brexit . Not because I'm psychic bit because it's so BLOODY CLEAR how people feel but the left have blinkers on

And no one needs that!!

Disturbing that people put being anti-immigration above continuing to have free at the point of use healthcare. More than disturbing - frightening.

I am genuinely surprised. Shocked.
I was regarding the Brexit vote too though.

I'll never support Reform or any right wing party. However, Labour need to take a long hard look at their policies. Fucking over pensioners and disabled... Some of the poorest in society. That's like voting Labour and getting hard core Tory.

I can see why people are disillusioned. Labour won because people were disillusioned. Labour hit the poorest and lost. Welcome in Reform.

It's a fucking shit show all round.

People want change and Reform are offering that, but I agree about Nigel, I was disgusted at Rupert Lowes treatment.

Yes. I think they won because Runcorn is a very deprived area. Some nice parts, lots of poor parts.

Our town centre is an absolute fucking shit hole, bookies, Greggs, pound bakery, charity shops and takeaways and Turkish barbers.

Lots of delapidated shops and poverty.

BUT

We also have a lovely theatre and canals, which labour have put a lot of money into to regenerate.

I don't know what Reform plan to do, if anything at all. As I say, their policy is 'labour are crap'.

I am so upset about it.

It’s because anyone with an ounce of education wouldn’t represent or support Reform.

It’s UKIP/BNP repackaged and we’ve seen the knuckle-draggers those parties attracted.

Don’t be so patronising. I’ve worked in and around politics and politicians all my life. There are some good politicians with integrity but there are many that aren’t. Farage definitely has none - he is entirely self serving. He is not remotely interested in “the people”, he is like his mate Trump and interested only in making money for himself and his very rich mates. It’s very frightening and I feel desperate for those people in this country who will genuinely suffer because of it.

Do you think it speaks to how impacted people have been by immigration? Don’t dismiss their feelings, that’s how reform got a toe hold in first place…

What are they offering?

Please tell me their manifesto promises.