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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...)

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13
EasternStandard · 07/07/2025 12:50

Puzzledandpissedoff · 07/07/2025 12:29

Spot on, CleverButScatty, and that's why I mentioned that those who'll vote for anything that carries the right rosette will take a lot of shifting

I suppose Farage - and other minority parties? - could pick off enough swing voters to disrupt things though ...

Typo

Edited

I’m not sure about that @Puzzledandpissedoff

Look at the local elections and swings there. I think we’re seeing the entry of an outsider in a way that hasn’t happened before.

People are less fixed on the two main parties. It might change again if a further to the left party unites.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 07/07/2025 12:53

BIossomtoes · 07/07/2025 12:43

I think tribalism took a dive last year. The overriding theme of the election was getting the Tories out and a lot of tactical voting went on to achieve that. The LibDems particularly benefited from it. If Reform hasn’t imploded by 2029 I suspect the tactical voting strategy may be employed to keep them out.

Having been a Labour voter all my life I’m disinclined to vote for a government that fails to reflect my views any more, it’s no longer my tribe. I may well vote Green next time.

You're not wrong about what happened over the tribalism last year, Blossomtoes, though whether it would happen in the same way to keep Reform out remains to be seen - after all the mess the Tories had made was very clear, whereas with someone not yet tested in power folk can hope they'll be much better

Edited to add you could well be right about a new party genuinely emerging, @EasternStandard - god knows we need one, though preferably not this particular one for me - but time will tell
They've got a hell of a lot of work to do if they imagine they could hack it though, since being a pressure party's one thing and an actual party of government quite another ... the likes of Charles Pugsley as chancellor anyone??> Grin

Alexandra2001 · 07/07/2025 13:04

Quirkswork · 07/07/2025 10:55

Labour did say they were the "grown ups" though. But they seem to be making things much worse rather than better. It's so odd. One wonders how much worse they can make things in the next four years. Quite a lot worse, given the far left is rearing it's ugly head.

How have they made matters far worse? waiting lists for stroke therapy, at my Trust have fallen from 22weeks to 4 weeks, all done with money raised from the budget last year.
Growth up, foreign investment up....

Far left? you mean expelled MPs... i'm rather more worried about the far right in both Reform and the Tory party...

Alexandra2001 · 07/07/2025 13:09

GasPanic · 07/07/2025 11:42

It's not about the Tories or Labour, much as you would like it to be.

It's about both of them failing to do their job.

Both of these parties enable Farage/Corbyn.

If they were doing their job properly and delivering what the public wants then Reform wouldn't exist, in the same way UKIP pretty much ceased to exist.

I've consistently said that the Tories are finished, the really opposition will be Reform.
At the time of the GE, Reform weren't in the game, so Tories focused on getting back in again after 1 term out.

Thats back fired, both so called main parties need to refocus on who is the threat.

Yet again.... you expect long term issues to be sorted inside 12months, thats why Reform has gained traction.. as i said unrealistic expectations.

PeonyPatch · 07/07/2025 13:14

If Farage was in power, we would be even more of a laughing stock of a country.

Quirkswork · 07/07/2025 13:16

Alexandra2001 · 07/07/2025 13:04

How have they made matters far worse? waiting lists for stroke therapy, at my Trust have fallen from 22weeks to 4 weeks, all done with money raised from the budget last year.
Growth up, foreign investment up....

Far left? you mean expelled MPs... i'm rather more worried about the far right in both Reform and the Tory party...

Illegal immigration up significantly.
Inflation rising.
Unemployment rising due to the Budget and Angela Rayners employment rights tweaking.
GDP reducing.
Reducing SEND provision as private schools close. Greater pressure on taxpayer.
Wealth creators leaving the country due to Labour policies while wealth drainers come in in greater numbers .
Talking country down thus ruining any "good vibes" in the financial markets that we need.
Farming
Chagos

I could go on.

Alexandra2001 · 07/07/2025 13:18

Quirkswork · 07/07/2025 11:12

"Illegal migration was not at the levels we are seeing now or under the Tories, the highest yearly amount was under Sunak."

This from the Telegraph.
"A record 20,600 migrants have crossed the Channel so far in 2025 alone, up around 50 per cent on the total at the same point last year and the biggest number in the first six months since the first arrivals in 2018. Nearly 44,000 migrants have arrived since Labour came into power in July last year."

Well done Labour.

Higher under Sunak.... at 45755... in 2022

Well done Tories....

Bu i suspect this number doesn't count in your world.

Quirkswork · 07/07/2025 13:23

Alexandra2001 · 07/07/2025 13:18

Higher under Sunak.... at 45755... in 2022

Well done Tories....

Bu i suspect this number doesn't count in your world.

We.can argue about it but numbers are going up. That's the wrong direction by the way.

Labour have no plan. I bet they secretly regret cancelling Rwanda. They could have seen if it worked while blaming the Conservatives for such a mean plan to get shot of all those poor fighting age men coming in from states we were recently at war with and who may not have our best interests at.heart. I found the fact the people smugglers are also advertising ISIS and Ak47s rather chilling.

EasternStandard · 07/07/2025 13:24

Quirkswork · 07/07/2025 13:23

We.can argue about it but numbers are going up. That's the wrong direction by the way.

Labour have no plan. I bet they secretly regret cancelling Rwanda. They could have seen if it worked while blaming the Conservatives for such a mean plan to get shot of all those poor fighting age men coming in from states we were recently at war with and who may not have our best interests at.heart. I found the fact the people smugglers are also advertising ISIS and Ak47s rather chilling.

Yes this year numbers are up.

Alexandra2001 · 07/07/2025 13:25

Quirkswork · 07/07/2025 13:16

Illegal immigration up significantly.
Inflation rising.
Unemployment rising due to the Budget and Angela Rayners employment rights tweaking.
GDP reducing.
Reducing SEND provision as private schools close. Greater pressure on taxpayer.
Wealth creators leaving the country due to Labour policies while wealth drainers come in in greater numbers .
Talking country down thus ruining any "good vibes" in the financial markets that we need.
Farming
Chagos

I could go on.

FTSE in july 8155 2024, now 8810... thats one claim debunked

Inflation went to 11% under your lot...

Legal migration was 1m in 2023/24 now 500k....

GDP is higher now, more lies, we were in recession in Q4 2022.

Foreign investment up, UK no1 destination for this now.

Farm incomes UP substantially.

Chagos.... only our enemies don't support this.

Oh and interest rates down 4 x in the last 12 months....

The irony is you say Labour talk the country down.... listen to yourself!!!

Quirkswork · 07/07/2025 13:30

Alexandra2001 · 07/07/2025 13:25

FTSE in july 8155 2024, now 8810... thats one claim debunked

Inflation went to 11% under your lot...

Legal migration was 1m in 2023/24 now 500k....

GDP is higher now, more lies, we were in recession in Q4 2022.

Foreign investment up, UK no1 destination for this now.

Farm incomes UP substantially.

Chagos.... only our enemies don't support this.

Oh and interest rates down 4 x in the last 12 months....

The irony is you say Labour talk the country down.... listen to yourself!!!

I honestly don't know what to say reading your post.

Do you genuinely believe Labour are doing a good job? You're in a tiny minority if you do.

People who do think Labour are doing a good job I suspect are in receipt of some benefit from the Government (not ""benefits" although that may apply. I mean you work for the state, are an immigrant, live in Islington or some other similar city enclave or don't pay much or any tax. Or are idealogues. Or human rights lawyers.That's only my private suspicion though and not directed at anyone on here obvs).

What do you mean "your lot"? I don't know who my "lot" are at the moment.

I love that you think if I talk the country down, the country listens though....!

Alexandra2001 · 07/07/2025 13:51

Quirkswork · 07/07/2025 13:30

I honestly don't know what to say reading your post.

Do you genuinely believe Labour are doing a good job? You're in a tiny minority if you do.

People who do think Labour are doing a good job I suspect are in receipt of some benefit from the Government (not ""benefits" although that may apply. I mean you work for the state, are an immigrant, live in Islington or some other similar city enclave or don't pay much or any tax. Or are idealogues. Or human rights lawyers.That's only my private suspicion though and not directed at anyone on here obvs).

What do you mean "your lot"? I don't know who my "lot" are at the moment.

I love that you think if I talk the country down, the country listens though....!

Edited

Well, i'm none of them... what a ridiculous argument to try and make! Labour have a 24% approval rating, Reform on 28 and the Cons on 17...

So clearly Labour have around a 1/4 of the country in their pay role or are in the HR industry etc but you've bought a smile to my face with that one......... lol!!!

I think Labour are doing as well as they can given the state of the country with the caveat on WFA, which was utterly pointless, their comms is sometimes shambolic too.

Do you think Labours re launch of Sure Start is good or bad? can you bring yourself to praise them for anything at all???

MorningLarkEchoes · 07/07/2025 14:18

I think there is a very high chance of it. But to be honest I’m not sure why anyone is surprised that there has been a surge in popularity of Reform given the last year under Labour. Only just today I’ve heard they are set to give £90million in aid to Syria - after they have taken away pensioners winter fuel allowance through introduction of means testing and there’s talk of potential tax rises in the autumn budget. They’ve gone back on so many promises.

Julen7 · 07/07/2025 14:20

Alexandra2001 · 07/07/2025 13:25

FTSE in july 8155 2024, now 8810... thats one claim debunked

Inflation went to 11% under your lot...

Legal migration was 1m in 2023/24 now 500k....

GDP is higher now, more lies, we were in recession in Q4 2022.

Foreign investment up, UK no1 destination for this now.

Farm incomes UP substantially.

Chagos.... only our enemies don't support this.

Oh and interest rates down 4 x in the last 12 months....

The irony is you say Labour talk the country down.... listen to yourself!!!

If all this is true why is Starmer’s approval rating now -43, the lowest figure EVER recorded for a PM after one year. Are we all missing something?

BIossomtoes · 07/07/2025 14:21

the Tories had made was very clear, whereas with someone not yet tested in power folk can hope they'll be much better

Reform will have a track record by 2029, we’ll see how they manage the ten councils they’re now running. The start has been inauspicious to say the least.

GasPanic · 07/07/2025 14:28

BIossomtoes · 07/07/2025 14:21

the Tories had made was very clear, whereas with someone not yet tested in power folk can hope they'll be much better

Reform will have a track record by 2029, we’ll see how they manage the ten councils they’re now running. The start has been inauspicious to say the least.

Err bur apparently that is because we are all too impatient and need to leave off them.

Quirkswork · 07/07/2025 14:28

Alexandra2001 · 07/07/2025 13:51

Well, i'm none of them... what a ridiculous argument to try and make! Labour have a 24% approval rating, Reform on 28 and the Cons on 17...

So clearly Labour have around a 1/4 of the country in their pay role or are in the HR industry etc but you've bought a smile to my face with that one......... lol!!!

I think Labour are doing as well as they can given the state of the country with the caveat on WFA, which was utterly pointless, their comms is sometimes shambolic too.

Do you think Labours re launch of Sure Start is good or bad? can you bring yourself to praise them for anything at all???

Just over 18% of the workforce are employed by the non productive (as in they don't produce wealth but instead spend it) state sector. In some areas eg the North East it's one in three workers and in my area it's over 60%. I would assume they would see Labour as working for their interests.

I think Sure Start etc is just fiddling round the edges. It will be the first to go if we are off to the IMF for a bail out again due to Labour's mismanagement. And it will be Labour's fault.

Quirkswork · 07/07/2025 14:30

Julen7 · 07/07/2025 14:20

If all this is true why is Starmer’s approval rating now -43, the lowest figure EVER recorded for a PM after one year. Are we all missing something?

Edited

Of course it isn't true 🤣. The words land cuckoo, living and cloud come to mind.

Parmaviollets · 07/07/2025 14:37

@Alexandra2001 i dislike both why would you prefer the far left over the far right ?you do know they meet in the middle ?

Momentum is terrifying remember throwing bricks through mp window labour when she wanted to stand against Corbyn? The lying and gaslighting and violence is awful.

Had the Tories done anything like starmer has done we would have seen far left violence

Parmaviollets · 07/07/2025 14:45

Sure start is good ,castrating peadopiles is good.

Itsabummer · 07/07/2025 14:58

One thing is certain - change is needed urgently. The two party system is broken, Labour and Tory are almost one and the same. The Labour Party has lost credibility as a party of the working man and woman, telling lies just to get voted in. The Conservatives have simply lost their way, not sure of who or what they stand for any more. Lib Dems and Greens are so wishy washy they don’t know what’s what. We’ve got to the point of “what have we got to lose by giving Reform a chance”. Having said all that, unless something drastic happens, we’ve a long wait and a lot of heartaches till the next GE.

Alexandra2001 · 07/07/2025 15:06

Quirkswork · 07/07/2025 14:28

Just over 18% of the workforce are employed by the non productive (as in they don't produce wealth but instead spend it) state sector. In some areas eg the North East it's one in three workers and in my area it's over 60%. I would assume they would see Labour as working for their interests.

I think Sure Start etc is just fiddling round the edges. It will be the first to go if we are off to the IMF for a bail out again due to Labour's mismanagement. And it will be Labour's fault.

Well done, Labour can nothing right as far as you re concerned can they?

Now its IMF.... FFS we are million miles from that, but keep with the scares Stories.

You really are clutching at straws now aren't you... anyone who works in the public sector is a Labour stooge.... Reds under the Bed territory now....

Alexandra2001 · 07/07/2025 15:08

Parmaviollets · 07/07/2025 14:37

@Alexandra2001 i dislike both why would you prefer the far left over the far right ?you do know they meet in the middle ?

Momentum is terrifying remember throwing bricks through mp window labour when she wanted to stand against Corbyn? The lying and gaslighting and violence is awful.

Had the Tories done anything like starmer has done we would have seen far left violence

Lost me with all that...

You really will have to explain your post, its non sensical.

EasternStandard · 07/07/2025 15:13

Julen7 · 07/07/2025 14:20

If all this is true why is Starmer’s approval rating now -43, the lowest figure EVER recorded for a PM after one year. Are we all missing something?

Edited

Fair point.

stuckdownahole · 07/07/2025 15:23

The reason we're all talking about the small boats and the people on them is that it's an actual failure of government.

We have somehow ended up in a situation where anyone who arrives in a dinghy has to be put up in a hotel. I don't know the figures in the UK, but in Ireland each asylum seeker in a hotel was costing the public purse €100 a day on average. Their case is processed slowly and inefficiently and the public are well aware by now that several are working, mostly for food delivery services, even though that's against the law.

This is basically outside the scope of immigration policy. Western countries have been using immigration to increase the workforce for half a century. The Windrush is a (very moving) part of the UK's national story, the prejudice those arrivals faced thankfully consigned to the past. But this is ... something else. It is uncontrolled. It is people turning up where they aren't supposed to, and starting to work when they are not supposed to. It makes us feel like the UK government isn't running the UK any more.

So people feel like this and vote for Brexit ("take back control") and will probably vote for Reform / Farage who are just Thatcherites. Lots of people liked Thatcher but even those people concede that she belonged to the last century. It doesn't feel like they will make a difference either.