Would you avoid places that are now reform?

[TinaMariah]

Lots of people who live near reform cities posting online stating they will boycott. Many are black or brown and are concerned about the levels of racism they've experienced in the last few weeks, and are stating they will avoid. Many calling for annual events to be held elsewhere. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm definitely concerned as a black woman who has experienced racist abuse twice in the last two weeks, one where I was told 'farage would kick get rid of yas' (this was whilst watching the football). I'm definitely worried.

No more likely than I would be to deliberately avoid Leicester South for electing Shockat Adam, or Islington for electing the gibbering antisemite Corbyn.

The places that voted Reform are depressed with severe deprivation and socio-economic problems. High levels of mental illness, drug addiction and other comorbidites of generational governmental neglect.

They need help not hatred. And I think KS will do everything he can to give it.

On a related note, I'm always reassured by the wisdom of our FPTP system. Despite the constant attempts of the bien pensant in Europe and the bouji parts of London to portray the British as incorrigibly stupid and racist, Reform did way worse than expected. Hardly the Far Right Wave that has been seen in Italy, Germany and France.

And so the polarisation starts to intensify. Don't go anywhere; Reform voters are passing you wherever you walk and drive. Stay at home. Much safer that way.

There is no point demonising people who vote differently from you. People vote Reform because they are unhappy with the current situation and they feel Reform addresses the issues that are important to them. It's only by listening to disaffected voters that the main parties can begin to address the issues that will prevent Reform's support spreading further. Investment and regeneration of the towns that feel left behind will remove the need for a party that blames people who look or sound 'different'. Not treating them like pariahs.

Agree with you @TinselTarTars. Clacton has a surprisingly beautiful coastline- I was there last month- but the deprivation is obvious

There are racists from every walk of life and all that this entails. It’s unlikely their views will change but we can only hope. My understanding is that Reform want to put British people first. British people are not just white. There is a mix of cultures and ethnicities and we’re all British.

I’m white, so okay unless they hear my non-English accent… but look a the shitholes where Reform got in. I’m not sure I’d be rushing there anytime soon…

‘There is no point demonising people who vote differently from you. ’

I’m not, but by Christ I can judge them as a bit thick, a bit racist and a lot deluded.

Can you expand on that emoji? What do you mean?

Oh Bless your heart

reform did very well across the country. Several second places. Not sure that's a sustainable position, op.

reform are grifting pieces of shit

Exactly that! I have encountered people who strike up conversations totally assuming I'm going to join in ,gleefully.
From " that house up the road they take their shoes off" ( a Muslim family) to "They're complaining about the food now" ( people in so called Hotels)
It happens frequesntly.

Patronising much

I'd like to avoid the places where Labour got in, but I'm not a trained astronaut.

Put them first where? Exactly?

I was already avoiding most of them to be fair. Though I enjoyed my trip to Jaywick years ago. Near Clacton and apparently the poorest Borough in England. Not an immigrant to be seen. Weird how obsessed they are considering? I suppose it's a bit like the Deep South in the USA. Just don't mention politics.

I mean these are places you would always have avoided if you had any options. Happy people don't vote Reform.

Agreed. I thought it was very funny when Farage said in his speech that he aimed to improve tourism in Clacton. Him being elected makes me far more likely to avoid it.
Not even because of the people (although a bit because of them), but because I don't associate an area that voted reform with a nice place to holiday. I assume it's a bit more run down, high unemployment, high poverty, etc.

FPTP did it’s just job though. 14% of the vote AND … less than 1% of the seats. Keep the loonies in their place.

"Years ago" the old hotels weren't used by London boroughs to house all their asylum seekers and problem families.

These places, very poor, with social problems already, have seen a massive influx with the resultant impact on local services and social issues.

It's a shame the people see this as the answer, but it's not surprising.

I much prefer parties like Labour that create dodgy dossiers to persuade parliament to take us to illegal wars that kill hundreds of thousands, far less embarrassing. Bring on the illegal wars I say!

I’m not, but by Christ I can judge them as a bit thick, a bit racist and a lot deluded.

Replace 'a bit racist' with 'a lot antisemite' and that's exactly what I think about Corbynistas and communists, but I would also try to challenge my judgement internally and understand why they believe what they believe. Judging other people for their voting choices is such a Dunning-Kruger move in my opinion. Very low on empathy for fellow humans.

I certainly wouldn't actively avoid places that voted communist or Green or Corbyn, and I haven't broken off friendships with my friends who support those things. We just have an unspoken agreement not to talk politics.

I went to Clacton recently, first time in decades. As a child it was this white-painted, bright and glittering paradise.

Now? Absolute shit-hole. Couldn't believe it was the same place. Seaside towns are deprived areas now, rich pickings for Reform.

Have you read the comments made by the Reform party members that had to be EXPELLED from the party because of their racism and bigotry? Have you read the accounts of the two Reform party members who RESIGNED because of their concern for the racism and bigotry being exhibited by their fellow party members? Have you read the multiple accounts of those who knew Farage long before the rest of us did, and describe his open reclaims and bigotry displayed over many decades, both in private and in public?

Did you read the OPs post where they describe an INCREASE in racist abuse directed towards them in the past few weeks, with one such abuser citing Farage himself?

I’m.l not “immediately shouting racist”, I’m carefully looking at all the facts and feeling horrified at what they amount to.

On the other hand Southend on Sea has 2 Labour MPs now. Southend West was basically a fiefdom of the Guinness family for decades. Strange days.

You don’t have an understanding. that much is clear.

To be accurate they were thrown out because they were CAUGHT being racist … pretty sure they were racist all day long behind closed Reform doors with no issues ( for Reform that is) whatsoever.