To hope that all the really nasty, hard core right wingers defect to Reform….

[Nomdemare]

question prompted by Suella Braverman’s defection to Reform today

Feeling utterly disenfranchised and disappointed by all political parties.
Perhaps in another time, I might have described myself as a small ‘c’ one nation, remain voting centre conservative.

I just wish all the really nasty elements would scoot off to Reform where they can keep their hate filled invective to themselves.

Another disenfranchised person hoping for a centrist phoenix party to arise from the rubble. Ruth Davidson, Andy Street... a few more would be welcome.

All good. But, according to every poll, Reform will probably win the next election. So, they won’t be keeping it to themselves. We will all have to live with it. 🤷‍♀️

Accountability, positivity, tolerance, earnest desire to engage, so many good vibes you’re projecting

Why it’s not working on voters like myself is a mystery. Or not.

As the BBC says, Reform is attracting household names, as they say , "big beasts."

Jenrick and Braverman are not obscure back bench MPs, they were contenders for leadership of the Conservative party.

No doubt there will be others, made bold by this from both Labour and the Conservatives-people who have experience of government at high level;killing dead in the water the criticism that Reform will have no idea what to do if elected.

This may have been true before seasoned, experienced, youngish politicians began joining them.

No sitting MP from one of the big two parties would have dreamed of joining the party of Screaming Lord Sutch or indeed Reform a few years ago but the fact that big names are joining Reform lend it nothing but credibility.

Andy Street is the only Tory I've ever voted for when he was West Midlands mayor. Id be interested in what he has to say

Bit of a surprise at today’s announcement as I thought SB had already gone, tbh.

For some people this exodus of tory MPs will be a huge positive for Reform as a potential party in charge. They might see it as getting some people in who are experienced in government and also eventually bringing about a possible dilution of the more extreme reform views/policies. I won't be voting for them but I can see that this might be adding to their attraction.
I am, however, interested in what Ruth Davidson and Andy Street might put together and will watch that development.

Yes please
i actually spend lots of time defending and criticising both parties as the sensible ones keep on being shouted down by others

Farage is really playing with fire, here. I appreciate it must be hard to turn down high profile detectors from other parties, but surely turning Reform UK into Reform and Rehabilitation for Failed Tories carries a degree of risk...

I mean, all those Reform supporters banging on about wanting change. Like the Americans were before Trump got in the first time.

Except…it’s not going to be much of a change if it’s pretty much the exact same bunch of cunts who were in power for 14 years until recently. Although I suspect the cognitive dissonance will prevail strongly there.

Anyone who is interested in the movement being led by Ruth Davidson and Andy Street (centerist) - it is worth having a look at their newly launched site 'Prosper UK' - you can sign up to register your interest. The more people who sign up the stronger the message to ALL political parties will be that there is a massive gap in the middle of non far left or right voters.

I don’t think that what’s happening in America solely because they are far on the right. Whilst that in itself might not be great, it’s the person actually running the country like it’s a game show making up new rules to suit his mood, who can’t seem to remember anything apart from everything is apparently great and is doing things on a whim, rewriting history and trying to make as much money as he can.