Is anyone else terrified by the popularity of Reform UK?

[NewNameNigel]

I am. I feel like it's indicative of sentiment that is really bad for me and my family.

I know that they are unlikely to win many seats but the fact that so many people will consider voting for racists is not a good sign.

Yes - it's such a sad, hate filled country right now. We're obsessed with consumerism, money and appearances.

My children are mixed heritage and there's SO much hate about their dad's nationality - he's a very hard worker, pays huge amounts of tax and has never claimed a penny in benefits and is all round good, law abiding citizen but he's practically a recluse, his social anxiety has been so heightened since brexit and the abuse he's received directly.

(Not black btw if that's relevant given the group name)

I hope it’s ok to post here (I’m white.) I find it completely horrifying. I hoped I would see the world get less prejudiced and more able to value each other’s differences. This feels bloody scary.

This Country is sliding backwards to the days where people were quite ok with publicly airing their racism. I think that poc should be very concerned with how things are going here, led by a Government that has no problem stoking up racism, for their own ends.

I find it mind boggling that being racist is illegal but seemingly setting up and entire political party dedicated to being racist is legal.

There will always be racists, at least you can now spot them a mile away by their repeating GB News and Nigel Farage bilge.

I agree OP. But I do think the chances of them actually getting many seats are slim to none.

One of my white male colleagues tried to explain to me why voting for them could potentially be a good thing.
But then, this is the same colleague who assumed I'd have first hand experience of some police protocol of being arrested as I'm young (almost youngest in my team although not that young), black and from London so I'm not shocked but yes, it's been a steadily increasing worry of mine since Brexit.

Honestly, what is wrong with some people. No doubt you would be the one to fare of worse, if you had objected to strongly@TheRealKatnissEverdeen

I feigned innocence and politely said sweetly, in our team meeting, "Why would you think I know what the procedure is when being arrested and not any of the others?
They all looked a little shocked and my manager was very likely praying, silently, that I didn't raise a grievance.

I think the election after this is where we really need to be concerned around Reform. 🙏🏾

It's horrendous as is the rise in popularity of the far accross Europe right now. We are living in worrying times.

That was a good way to respond@TheRealKatnissEverdeen . Hopefully it would have given him some pause for thought, as to why he was thinking that way.

That's awful. I'm saddened to hear this.

Sad but not surprised.

I'm white so in no way qualified to comment, but I've spent the day in A&E, which is a horrible experience, standing room only in the waiting room, ling long waits etc, but the number of people happy to strike up a conversation with strangers, along the lines of it's all the immigrants' fault was truly depressing.

I'm afraid the best I could do was try and say it's far more complex than that.

I don't think Reform are a threat for this election, but unless the Conservatives have a complete transformation before the next one, they will be then 😪

The Government is the first to try to lay the blame for their failings, at the feet of immigrants. They are masters at getting people to look the other way, while they are filling them, and their friends coffers. Even if the boats were to be stopped tomorrow people would not magically see their lives improve. We are being swindled daily, by this Government. And if reform were ever to get in, with their talk of net zero migration, well...

Racist? Do you mean because of Brexit?
I know some people think leaving a union of predominantly white countries was racist I was just checking if you mean something else

If you found that racist then I hope that you reported it to HR. Don’t just not be racist be anti-racist!
this message is for everyone report and support

Completely agree with this, the government have legitimised this kind of thought, it used to stay in the shadows.

The problem isn’t people who immigrate to England it’s the government not planning housing, school places, doctors surgeries and hospitals ect which can cope with the number of people. Use your votes not your complaints everyone : )

I’m also horrified. It feels like since Brexit people have become emboldened to say out loud some truly horrible things.

I’m white - but I am also the granddaughter of an immigrant. I hope it’s ok to post here and offer my solidarity.

Yes - I was on the bus sitting across from a couple of women discussing voting Reform, how terrible “these immigrants” are and everything they supposedly get from the state. Also the importance of brexit.

I couldn’t bear to listen or intervene and it was quite a short ride. I went to the front of the bus, hoped seeing someone non white might make them stop, but they didn’t notice.

today these women would say - oh not your parents as soon as they heard me speak. My parents and presumably me by extension would now be acceptable. But they went through the racism when they came here. I have been so lucky to not encounter it directed to me too often.

I feel I should challenge with facts but I wasn’t sure howin. I’m sorry to anyone experiencing the racism directly that I didn’t do my bit to call it out.

I am white, but want to offer solidarity. I am praying 🙏 that the people of Clacton vote tactically to keep Farage out of Parliament.

It is also very concerning how much airtime Farage is getting.

I had a recent conversation with a ( white, working class ) guy who is going to vote Reform. He felt that neither Labour or the Tories cared about ordinary people or had any solutions for the problems that ordinary pp are facing. I wouldn't disagree with him on this and I think the recent popularity of Reform is based on pp like him feeling concerned about the state of the country and wanting something new as they are sick of the current system.

I don't for one minute think Reform is the answer, just that it's a symptom of how disenfranchised so many pp feel and Reform offers up easy solutions for v complex problems...

I wondered if I could also offer solidarity to the OP?

I was so happy to have this election called as I really want to get rid of the Conservatives who have got us in this state. But then reform appeared and I just felt like saying "yes we want rid of the tories, but Not Like That!"

I really hope that the Clacton folk manage to tuck Mr Farage quietly back in to his box.

Lots of us like immigrants and people of different races. It's hard to know how to show that day to day, but we do.

I am white and I find reform very unsettling. Am actually really shocked about how scary this will be for you if he gets many votes!!
My children are absolutely stunned!

isnt it sad that he found support in reform though, and not a left wing party like the greens or the workers union?
ultimately, a lot of the issues that reform voters are angry about are a result of rampant capitalism and wealth hoarding by billionaires, not immigration!