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

[ohime]

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...)

Won't work terms of bringing over people angry about immigration I meant. It would work in terms of actually making things better.

‘“Mandated”? I really don’t think so. Frit about re-election maybe.

How about the government making policy in the general interest? That would be a novelty from this government.

Corbyn's new party could be an interesting development though.

If they hoovered left wing Labour this would allow Labour to transform into truly centrist party, possibly taking central part of Tory in as well. If that happened they'd get a proper majority.

I really really hope not. But sadly I fear you might be right.

Now for some facts to counter the propaganda.

2025 will be a record a year for illegal immigration in the UK.

I think what will happen is people will vote tactically to keep reform out, like they voted tactically to get the conservatives out at the last election.

I feel quite politically homeless at the moment, but would vote labour to keep Tories and reform out. The Tories have proven that they have decimated the services that the majority of people who aren't ultra wealthy rely on. Unfortunately sorting out situation is complex and you have a lot of people who seem to vote for reform who can't get their head around the complex and seem to think that addressing the complexity of the issues is being elitist. The issues are complex whether you choose to try and understand them (and most people are just trying, few have a complete mastery of it because it is so complex) or just stick your fingers in your ears shouting 'lalala' (or hahaha as someone upthread has) the complex issues are still there, and still needs complex approaches to sort out.

And some just want to support any party that threatens to harm those with skin that is not white.

I don't know what the answer is. I don't know when the electorate became so dumbed down. I know that people will say that attitude is why working class voters go to reform, because they feel patronised.

But which of reforms policies will actually improve the NHS (which pretty much all working class people rely on, have you seen what private medical cover costs?!)
Are they going to improve state schools (where 93% of us send our kids)

Which policies will tackle the root cause of increased levels of disability...lifestyle, secure employment and housing, food security, leisure facilities, early diagnosis and intervention by the NHS)?

It's utterly depressing to be honest.
I think a lot of these people who support the Tories and reform don't see that they are actually in the groups that really need the health/education/housing/social structure provided by a more left wing government ( as opposed to whatever it is that Labour are these days).

It's like the Trump supporters who are now worried about their Medicaid being cut.
Voting for a party that will harm your standard of life because they are mean to non white people and you're a bit racist may make you feel vindicated in the short term, but it will do you no good in the long term.

I think it’s more likely now that Corbyn has thrown his hat into the ring with a proposed new party. Lots of far left who voted for Labour in the last election, who probably crave the left of the old days, will turn to the odious Corbyn. This will split Labour voters and then you have Reform who are currently eating into the Tory vote, so I think there will be a four horse race in the next GE, with more likely it being Reform who come out on top. And tbh, if people are going to be unhappy with that, then they need to place the blame at the feet of the Tories and Labour parties, who have let us all down massively.

Lots of people where I live are really pleased with the decisions our new Reform led Council are making. They have made some really good decisions & acted quickly. I’m as surprised as anyone by how well they are doing (very early days obviously!)

Which council is this? It appears to be the single exception.

Or uni party could actually listen to people's concerns and act on them.

Depends if the press back him or not.

Absolute waste of time weeding out the people smugglers. Get rid of one; another will take their place. It’s just wack a mole. And I honestly think that’s why this is the solution suggested by Labour, because the reality is that many in the party are pro-immigration, whether it be legal or illegal, so this suggested resolution is going to be the least effective, so will keep their own party happy, whilst making the voters think Labour are actually doing something.

Can you give some examples of the good work they have done? Genuinely interested?...

Also are your Reform elected members those have are experienced albeit previously with a different political party or some of the youngsters that were discussed earlier on?

Lowe is the leader the country needs in desperate times. Farage is just a grifter like Boris. He's a fraud.

I'm really sick and tired of being told that people 'aren't being listened to,' and feel ignored. All we bloody hear about is immigration and how well Reform are doing. Labour have ruled out negotiating to rejoin the Customs Union and restating freedom of movement even though so many (a majority according to some data) want those things and they would be better for the country, especially the former in terms of food prices. All because we have to endlessly show we are listening to people who are misinformed/stupid/racist/xenophobic/unrealistic/want the world and don't want to pay for it. The fact is, they won the referendum, then they voted twathead in to 'get it done,' now they aren't happy because those things, on the back of years of austerity, and Covid, of course, have totally fucked the country and made their lives worse not better, and they are still looking to blame immigrants and whining about not being listened to.

Politicians have listened but seem afraid to tell people the truth - that their issues are not caused by immigration and if they want an NHS and excellent public services they are going to have to pay for it.

NF is the most dishonest person ever and he is never shown up for who he is by the media. He markets himself as a man of the people but is from a highly privileged background but that is neve mentioned. Starmer was mocked horribly for talking about his genuine working class roots and dad being a toolmaker and people are constantly claiming he really owned the factory and was rich and that his school was private, even though it was state when he joined. Look at the life his brother had - hardly someone from a privileged background. Do people ever mention the totally fake facade NF puts on? Of course not, and people fall for it and go around believing he cares more about 'ordinary people' more than Starmer does. What a joke.

Luckily, I doubt he'll be PM as, aside from being clever enough to know his own limitations, the chances of Reform getting together over 300 MPs who would stand up to any sort of scrutiny is vanishingly small.

Birds of a feather.

Grotesque

The reform voters only recognise someone is dealing with immigration if they make a show of mistreating immigrants and making a song and dance of it.
Dealing with it quietly at source, the criminal gangs etc, and looking for ethical ways to do so doesn't satisfy their lust for scenes like the ICE raids in America.

I said you’re not being unreasonable!

Farage as PM is truly a terrifying proposition.
He and cronies will systematically dismantle all that is good about our nation.

However, I hope with all my heart that it’s unrealistic it will happen.
For Reform to go from the 5 (?) seats they have now to a majority is unlikely by the next election at least. I hope 🤞
Under our first past the post system they have a big hill to climb constituency by constituency. BUT if we ever moved to proportionate representation or alternative vote systems they’d be in a stronger position to get in.
UKIP and now Reform have been campaigning for such voting system changes for a long while accordingly.

This is the second time you've posted that people in your area are happy with their Reform council, but you're yet to give any detail of what it is they're happy with. What positive steps have Reform taken in your area?

I'm interested because I also live under a Reform-run council and I can assure you they've done sweet FA here. In fact they've cancelled more meetings and committees than they've attended, and afaics have made precisely zero actual decisions, good or bad. Mainly because they clearly don't have the first fucking clue how local govt works, or what they actually have control over / responsibility for. They shout terribly loudly but the reality is, they're utterly clueless.

NF (never were initials more appropriate) is a snake-oil-peddling grifter. He's not interested in anyone except himself. He couldn't give two of the tiniest shits about 'working people' - good ol' pint-quaffing Nige wouldn't piss on your average brickie, care worker or shelf-stacker if they were on fire. He doesn't give a fuck about 'ordinary people's concerns' - if he did he'd visit his own constituency once in a while but he's been conspicuous by his absence for the last 12 months.

He's nothing but an scapegoating opportunist on the make. Sadly, a lot of people are too dim to see past the vomit-inducing 'man of the people' / 'stop the boats' schtick. And his supporters can moan about patronising lefties all they like, but it's a fact. He and his cronies have no plans except to enrich themselves and if you can't see that well, God save you. Because Farage certainly bloody won't.

Until they actually do something about immigration and stop the stupid boats and hotel service to illegal migrants, then Reform will win by default.

Or maybe voters look at facts, numbers.

You know like small boats surpassing all previous records so far this year.

You can feel good about the ‘ethical’ ways. General public cares about the reality or numbers.

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

Here we go. Some more insults for Reform voters. Calling them stupid and dim.

How did that approach work out for you during Brexit referendum?

You can speak for yourself, not the 'general public'.
I am part of the general public as are my family and friends. We certainly don't share your views.
And neither did the majority of the electorate at the last GE.