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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

... to think that Nigel Farage will be our next PM?

817 replies

ohime · 06/07/2025 11:04

Or, more accurately: AIBU to be afraid that truly nasty piece of work Nigel Farage who has, by all accounts, always been utterly useless at (or at least completely uninterested in) the actual business end of governing will be our next PM because everyone is so fed up with all the other parties being, variously or all at once, so corrupt, incompetent and useless that we've collectively abandoned all hope? I will never vote for Farage, who is a horrible man, or any of his party which keeps having to fire people for being just a teensy bit too overtly racist - but it seems from the polls that for many people the choice against the status quo outweighs what we may be choosing. (For an example, I can't believe that Farage's stated position that DOGE in the US didn't go far enough with its swinging cuts to the social safety net would be popular with UK voters who recently elected a government on the basis that it would reverse years of Tory austerity... not that that's worked out so well...)

OP posts:
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13
unsurewhattodoaboutit · 06/07/2025 16:37

Yep we’ve proved we are dumb enough to. We love to self harm us Brits!

Ballerinacappucine · 06/07/2025 16:38

Without a shadow of a doubt. He will be PM .

EasternStandard · 06/07/2025 16:39

CleverButScatty · 06/07/2025 16:33

Statistics on? Published by? When?
Just a little clue...

Or have you heard someone chucking unsubstantiated figures around and taken it as gospel...

Go to the refugee council site and google what you want info on re numbers. It’s a current news topic you can pick the media of your choice.

Jennps · 06/07/2025 16:42

CleverButScatty · 06/07/2025 16:29

All I can see here is a lot of criticism of previous governments and still absolutely no suggestions as to how these issues you have raised will improve.

What fiscal policies will make the economy stronger than in the periods you refer to etc.

I understand frustration with previous governments and I feel quite politically homeless at this time. But focusing on immigration is a red herring. Can you articulate the ways in which you feel you and your family are negatively affected by immigration? And what reform will make better?

I am genuine in my desire to understand other people's mindsets. It's important.

I think there were some positives in the the governments above, the Tony Blair government did an outstanding job with education (I say this as someone who works in this field and has done for many years). They did a shit job with foreign policy, and I agree about the tax credits. The cost of living is at crisis point but what needs tackling is poverty wages, working conditions (e.g. zero hour contracts), profiteering off housing making it unaffordable and it causes resentment to people on tax credits/later UC who are working full time etc.

I haven't got many positive things to say about the Tories to be fair. I think Truss was manipulated like a puppet so she could be made a scapegoat.

I think one of the big issues is that of potential war in the Middle East. That has the potential to destabilise economy, increase the number of refugees in the world etc but I don't see many reform voters talking about this.

I honestly am confused about what positives would be brought about by reform being in power. I just can't see any.

Edited

Labour did a terrible job of education. Building schools was good but education itself, shockingly terrible. They dumbed down educational we slipped in global league tables. The aim of sending 50% of young people to university was plain stupid. All int did was suppress was graduate wages as people came out with largely useless degrees and huge debt. While STEM subjects were ignored even though the court needs people in those field and we don’t provide enough of our own. And just to add injury to insult, they created a Ponzi scheme with international students, most of whom come to proper universities for proper education. But it caused a bogus student industry to spring up with either low standard universities or totally fake colleges ‘selling’ student visas. Today, students are the second largest group of asylum seekers after the channel migrants.

As for how does uncontrolled migration impact anyone. Read up on net contribution, tax and how the majority of immigration today is low skilled. We are literally bringing people into one country to pay for them to live.

It’s not rocket science to know that when over 50% of people already here are net takers, then you add a city the size of Leeds each year with more net takers, and the net contributors are leaving the country in their hundreds of thousands, what the consequences will follow.

BIossomtoes · 06/07/2025 16:43

Jennps · 06/07/2025 16:34

Still not found the google search function, then? (Other search engines are available)

This old right wing trick is very tedious. If you’re going to bandy stats about show where you got them from otherwise they’ll be assumed to be confected as they are above. Last year 88% of claims were refused, whereas just 24% were in 2022. It looks as if this government is doing what it promised.

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01403/

CleverButScatty · 06/07/2025 16:46

Jennps · 06/07/2025 16:34

Still not found the google search function, then? (Other search engines are available)

Which statistics. I mean tell me you have no understanding of the volume of statistics that are or there with different focuses, compiled by different people at different times, without telling me.

What topic do you want me to look at the figures on? Do you even know?

Numbers, years, increase, countries of origin, reason, success of asylum claims, where in the UK is affected, numbers against projections, numbers without context, reported by the UK, other countries, the home office, local authorities. There are endless variables.

Do you actually know which data you are referring to? I am genuinely curious to look it up?

I am starting to suspect that someone has told you there is data (not what it is, whom collated it etc) and you don't actually know.

How can you expect people to decision make on that kind of heresay?

EasternStandard · 06/07/2025 16:46

Labour are no where near ‘smashing the gangs’.

That was their pledge, which is failing. It’s no wonder the polling reflects that.

Small boat crossings to UK in first half of year up 48%, figures show | BBC News

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gjLQJnwKGb0

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gjLQJnwKGb0

CleverButScatty · 06/07/2025 16:46

BIossomtoes · 06/07/2025 16:43

This old right wing trick is very tedious. If you’re going to bandy stats about show where you got them from otherwise they’ll be assumed to be confected as they are above. Last year 88% of claims were refused, whereas just 24% were in 2022. It looks as if this government is doing what it promised.

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn01403/

Oh no, she doesn't mean data like that!!

RenoLouis · 06/07/2025 16:47

Jennps · 06/07/2025 16:42

Labour did a terrible job of education. Building schools was good but education itself, shockingly terrible. They dumbed down educational we slipped in global league tables. The aim of sending 50% of young people to university was plain stupid. All int did was suppress was graduate wages as people came out with largely useless degrees and huge debt. While STEM subjects were ignored even though the court needs people in those field and we don’t provide enough of our own. And just to add injury to insult, they created a Ponzi scheme with international students, most of whom come to proper universities for proper education. But it caused a bogus student industry to spring up with either low standard universities or totally fake colleges ‘selling’ student visas. Today, students are the second largest group of asylum seekers after the channel migrants.

As for how does uncontrolled migration impact anyone. Read up on net contribution, tax and how the majority of immigration today is low skilled. We are literally bringing people into one country to pay for them to live.

It’s not rocket science to know that when over 50% of people already here are net takers, then you add a city the size of Leeds each year with more net takers, and the net contributors are leaving the country in their hundreds of thousands, what the consequences will follow.

Yes,but Drs and engineers…erm racism…diversity…tolerance

Jennps · 06/07/2025 16:47

CleverButScatty · 06/07/2025 16:46

Which statistics. I mean tell me you have no understanding of the volume of statistics that are or there with different focuses, compiled by different people at different times, without telling me.

What topic do you want me to look at the figures on? Do you even know?

Numbers, years, increase, countries of origin, reason, success of asylum claims, where in the UK is affected, numbers against projections, numbers without context, reported by the UK, other countries, the home office, local authorities. There are endless variables.

Do you actually know which data you are referring to? I am genuinely curious to look it up?

I am starting to suspect that someone has told you there is data (not what it is, whom collated it etc) and you don't actually know.

How can you expect people to decision make on that kind of heresay?

Edited

’Genuine debate I say, genuine’

EasternStandard · 06/07/2025 16:48

CleverButScatty · 06/07/2025 16:46

Oh no, she doesn't mean data like that!!

The BBC below covers the increase this year.

PiggyPigalle · 06/07/2025 16:48

sualipa · 06/07/2025 14:51

Putin's poodle - Vlad has had very good returns on his psyop bets.

Was a mistake to poke it with a stick. Should have chopped its head off!

User135644 · 06/07/2025 16:49

EasternStandard · 06/07/2025 16:46

Labour are no where near ‘smashing the gangs’.

That was their pledge, which is failing. It’s no wonder the polling reflects that.

Small boat crossings to UK in first half of year up 48%, figures show | BBC News

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gjLQJnwKGb0

It's not even a policy, it's just a soundbite to pretend they have a plan.

Starmer and Labour are all for open borders.

tobee · 06/07/2025 16:50

Interesting that some say Rupert Lowe.

The thing is he's not Farage who has all the publicity, the celebrity. That's one of things people seem to find appealing "he was on I'm a celebrity!!"

Like would people have voted JD Vance or De Santis or Marco Rubio in the US in the way they voted Trump? "He was on The Apprentice!!"

Difference being that Trump wanted to be king/emperor/pope/God President so everyone would bow down to him. I don't think Farage wants to be PM. He can't be arsed. He just wants the dosh from the grift.

Jennps · 06/07/2025 16:50

EasternStandard · 06/07/2025 16:48

The BBC below covers the increase this year.

These posters want a ‘genuine’ debate. Please don’t de-rail them. They are ‘genuinely’ interested in the reasons for why Reform is on this rise. With each post they are becoming ever closer to ‘genuinely’ understanding the reasons. After all they are ‘genuine’ curious types.

CleverButScatty · 06/07/2025 16:50

RenoLouis · 06/07/2025 16:47

Yes,but Drs and engineers…erm racism…diversity…tolerance

I was on the ground in the classroom and as a school leader through most of that period and well into the Tory government.

This is what I saw. Under that Labour government we were equipped to do a better job for the children. And did. No SEND crisis, limited school refusal, more positive NEET figures, better wraparound support with health and social care where needed. The fact the your point of reference is around university tells me you have read the headlines and know nothing below the surface.

CleverButScatty · 06/07/2025 16:51

EasternStandard · 06/07/2025 16:48

The BBC below covers the increase this year.

Oh dear god, this is getting comical. Which article do you want me to look at. The BBC is quite a large entity.

EasternStandard · 06/07/2025 16:52

CleverButScatty · 06/07/2025 16:51

Oh dear god, this is getting comical. Which article do you want me to look at. The BBC is quite a large entity.

@CleverButScattyits a really recent post but scroll back to 16.46 there’s a BBC link you can look at

CleverButScatty · 06/07/2025 16:52

CleverButScatty · 06/07/2025 16:46

Oh no, she doesn't mean data like that!!

Your actual data will now be rebuffed with a vague reference to some unnamed research in an unnamed article that we can't be linked to.

BIossomtoes · 06/07/2025 16:54

CleverButScatty · 06/07/2025 16:52

Your actual data will now be rebuffed with a vague reference to some unnamed research in an unnamed article that we can't be linked to.

I’d say the House of Commons is probably as reliable as you’d get.

RenoLouis · 06/07/2025 16:57

CleverButScatty · 06/07/2025 16:50

I was on the ground in the classroom and as a school leader through most of that period and well into the Tory government.

This is what I saw. Under that Labour government we were equipped to do a better job for the children. And did. No SEND crisis, limited school refusal, more positive NEET figures, better wraparound support with health and social care where needed. The fact the your point of reference is around university tells me you have read the headlines and know nothing below the surface.

So pre Covid?

CleverButScatty · 06/07/2025 16:58

EasternStandard · 06/07/2025 16:52

@CleverButScattyits a really recent post but scroll back to 16.46 there’s a BBC link you can look at

Edited

Right. It rose by over 40%. Is this more or less than it was on trajectory to be given world events?
How many of those people had genuine. Claims to asylum?
How was this measured?

A quick verbal sound bite on a TV channel that is not known for is impartiality.

This is the difficulty. If people try and point out why this is not stat which can help us understand the issue with any meaning they will be labelled elitist.

So we policy make on a sound data because that's what is popular with chunk of the electorate?

Jennps · 06/07/2025 16:58

Oh look people, a couple of saviours on here have solved the political crisis and convinced the country to not vote for Reform by sharing a link and then misquoting the statistics from their own link.

Everyone can rest easy now. Reform are definitely no longer ahead in the polls. Definitely not eating into red wall majorities. Everyone is convinced that there is no issue with mass immigration. The illegal immigration is totally under control.

Everyone can log off and go home now. Sorted.

tobee · 06/07/2025 17:00

Interesting too that @Jennps is raving about Reform voters being called thick. While simultaneously calling Labour people thick. Labour MPs "can't spell their own names"

CleverButScatty · 06/07/2025 17:01

Here is a guide to what some high quality data, that government policy could be based on, should include...
https://library.leeds.ac.uk/info/14062/research-data-management/61/research-data-management-explained

But a summary might be not a 30 second clip from a TV show that doesn't reference it's research.