Farage has announced that he'll be making an announcement...

[Westfacing]

... an 'emergency' announcement, no less.

Presumably to announce he's finally plucked up courage to put his money were his big mouth is and stand for Parliament, after bottling it!

Probaly reliant on volunteers. But candidates effectively have to pay (as I understand it).

Nigel Farage owns 53% of Reform UK

As someone who lives in a red wall area, I think most who voted Tory in the last election might well move to Reform. I still think Labour will win the election but I think a landslide is looking less likely now.
The thing is, as long as middle-class Labour voters shout any discussion down and won't actually listen to what people are saying, the more the growth of Reform in these areas will take place.
Most traditional Labour voters want jobs, houses and to be able to see a doctor or a dentist when they need to. Rightly or wrongly, they perceive immigration is at the root of these problems. They are as far removed from Starmer's "isn't it awful' politics as it's possible to be.
Engaging in a debate is the only way to tackle this. Calling people bigots and all the other names I have seen will do nothing at all, other than make the name callers bask in their perceived moral superiority.
I can't believe more people can't see this.

There’s more than one way of skinning a cat. Every vote for Reform splits the right vote, it’s the same as a vote for Labour.

Reform know that but it will give the conservatives a good kicking and Labour a warning change will take time

I think Labour know that change will take time. Our public services are in a dire state. Turning the NHS around will be a particularly big task and I don’t think it can be done in ten years, let alone five.

I’m surprised that several people see Farage as a charismatic and compelling public speaker. To me, he comes across as belligerent and defensive. I think he’s an agitator, rather than someone who has the diligence and attention to detail that’s needed to solve complex problems. Also, his stunts at the EU parliament were staged and immature.

The thing is he’s a really easy to understand speaker. He gives impression he cares about ordinary people in a country that’s become very disorganised and stretched.

He didn’t give that impression on the Today programme this morning when he shouted down a brown woman. Or yesterday with his disgraceful performance with Ben Thompson.

Neither of them were much good, to be honest, although I am curious to know why the fact that Mishal Husain is a 'brown woman' is relevant in any way?
Are you saying that Farage only shouts down people of colour? Because he shouts down anyone who doesn't agree with him regardless.

he shouted down a brown woman
WTH?

I'm not a fan of NF, but surely he ia allowed to challenge someone irrespective of their skin colour? And doesn't this woman have a name, rather than being known as 'a brown woman'?

I think people have very entrenched views, if you think migration is why you cannot afford a house or see a GP, you will not change your opinion because someone tries to convince you that you re wrong.

In my in laws case, firm Brexitiers, it was only when they saw how many migrants work in the NHS (following a series of illnesses) did they change their minds.

The recent and extensive polling that came out yesterday, does show that the Tories are in for a hammering, that might change but we are 2 weeks in and nothing seems to be working for the Tories.

But yes, shouting an swearing at people, never works.

Her name is Mishal Hussein and he wasn’t there to shout her down challenge her, he was there to be interviewed. He was absolutely appalling.

But what has the colour of her skin got to do with it?

Engaging in a debate is the only way to tackle this. Calling people bigots and all the other names I have seen will do nothing at all, other than make the name callers bask in their perceived moral superiority.
I can't believe more people can't see this.

It's really tricky though isn't it. I was listening to a radio phone in show yesterday evening and a caller was blaming the country's problems on immigrants. He wanted 'legal' immigrants to go through checks to ensure they have to have certain qualifications or financial security before they're allowed into the country - the DJ said that already happened. The caller had no idea.

He had no idea of the difference between asylum seekers and immigrants who come here to work, no idea of the numbers of people involved and, when asked what the caller wanted - he admitted he had no idea.

People have been misled to such a degree that we are divided about something that is presented only as a vague concept to fear for most people.

I'm not sure it's moral superiority in many cases. In my case it's a frustration with the powers that be for creating this division for their own ends.

Farage is now sweeping in to take advantage of the division. He's a man who would sell his own granny if he thought it would buy him power. A born disruptor who, since school, has been provoking, manipulating and making comments most find abhorrent and, when confronted, never owning up to the hatred/manipulation/vileness.

Good God, I'd never clocked his initials before reading the above posts.

He was a metals trader and was never an investment banker.

He did, during the Brexit campaign, modify a poster Hitler used, a column of brown people instead of jews... all perfectly ok by his fans.

He is a vile man & a fraud.

NF is exactly what he is.

Don’t be disingenuous.

I am not. You mentioned the colour of her skin
I am merely wondering what the colour of her skin adds to your argument. Do you not know?

I think it's a fair enough question. Why not just use her name instead instead of referring to her as 'a brown woman' which just sounds odd and like MH has no other identity.

You are being totally disingenuous. You know as well as I do why it’s relevant. Or have you forgotten his disgraceful poster?

Sorry but I think you are tying yourself in knots here.
If Farage described someone as a 'brown woman' would that be OK then?
Cam you explain why it's OK for you to say but not for eg Farage to say it without being accused of racism?
It's a fair question I think.
And I am not a NF fan nor a Reform voter.

I've just listened to it and he didn't raise his voice once.

Michal Hussein did, though.

Why was a 'brown woman' shouting at a 'white man'?

Your interpretation of that interview is completely misleading. Why did you feel the need to lie?

We clearly listened to different interviews. He constantly talked over her and he did raise his voice.

I haven't heard one single election interview on Today that has not involved a heated discussion on both sides so far.
Why NF is being singled out I have no idea unless it's the usual moral superiority thing again

I disagree I think he does listen and pick other arguments apart - I don't agree with him but we need politicians who can be polite and civil