Why do people like reform?

[TheGoogleMum]

I haven't been keeping very up to date with politics. I usually vote Labour. I don't really understand the popularity of reform, could anyone explain it to me?
As far as I'm aware Farage doesn't actually do anything when he wins a seat somewhere so I'm not convinced they'll actually do anything? Is it just a protest vote that's gone a bit far?

"A lot of that was during covid"

They were in for FOURTEEN YEARS. Covid was during the final four (March 2020 - July 2024). They had plenty of time.

It's like Trump all over again
People see them as down to earth normal people who will make their lives better
They won 't
It's not extremely worrying and depressing.

After Brexit surely people aren't stupid enough to believe Reform can do this things they say?

Surely it’s widely acknowledged that the western consumerist lifestyle is supported by globalised industry, and polluting activities in China, India etc? I think the conversation is usually Use Less Stuff than Produce The Stuff Ourselves though.

They weren't happy with Conservatives.. but mainly a lot of that was during Covid and the Conservatives never got a chance to show what they could do

I take it back, clearly people are stupid. So depressing! 😭

Apparently if you say that it makes them more determined to vote.

@ItisIbeserkYes it is but it’s hardly a good thing (if you are concerned about climate change which many on mumsnet are). The use less stuff argument isn’t realistic with modern life and keeping the capitalist markets running. I’m just trying to point out it’s not black and white, the movement is based on something very new/ real. It’s not just a bunch of idiots (although there are idiots in every party!)

I used to work in Hartlepool, no shock they got in there. It’s a part of the country that has been forgotten for decades. It’s very much an old school Labour, jobs for the mates, kind of council. It also had virtually no immigrants living there until the last few years, unfortunately coinciding with the death of the high street, cost of living council, closure of services - and people just make connections.

They have just turned out to vote in their droves, showing that that they are. They believe every soundbite and misinformed statement with zero factual content or evidence.

Tice is on the BBC now talking about "DOGE-like investigations into spending". He's now saying root and branch review and DEI. They really love the Trump buzzwords. It'll be interesting to see how it all plays out.

I’d rather anyone than this incompetent labour shower .

😂oh don’t! They hate being called stupid almost
as much as they hate being called racist!

They really love the guy that knocked over 100 billion quid a year off the UK's GDP and wants to stop the NHS being funded via taxation (aka...insurance based system).

They must love being poorer.

I think people feel let down by Labour and the Tories, and Reform have taken the place of the Liberals as the party you protest with. It will be interesting to see how they do, if they screw up then that could finish them off. I think Rishi was hard done by, the last Tory government had Covid and Ukraine and was turning the economy around but I also get exhaustion with them. Will be interesting to watch the next few years.

Surely after Brexit, some people aren’t stupid enough to think that other people won’t vote for Reform? Brexit should have been a wake up call. It doesn’t appear to have been though. The wake up call should have been why did people vote for Brexit? What can we do to address the issues that made people vote for Brexit? This wasn’t addressed so we’re seeing the same thing again.

Note - calling people stupid for voting in a way that you disagree with doesn’t count as addressing issues. Calling people stupid for voting in a way that you disagree with is very unlikely to win someone round to your way of thinking.

Just checking you are aware that an insurance based system doesn’t necessarily mean a system like the US?

Do you strongly disagree with the insurance based systems in France, Germany, the Netherlands? Or is it just the US system you have an issue with?

Personally I disagree with the US system but the insurance based systems in other EU countries could be worth looking at because they function better and often have better health outcomes than the NHS.

Have you looked at the numbers, they are determined to vote.

If you believe his first choice is anything other than an American-style system, I've got a bridge to sell you.

(edited for typo)

I agree that labour need a chance and I hope they win the next GE. I think we’ve finally got a sensible PM and government but they’ve inherited a huge mess from their predecessors and are facing global events that are out of their control.

Basis being what?

He has said he likes the French system. But that doesn’t suit your narrative.

This sounds really like Labour’s take

Around 70% of the French healthcare system is funded through taxation.

If you think Farage would go for a French style system I think you are naive.

Farage has publicly stated he doesnt want it funded through taxation at all. That only means one thing. Everyone will need their own personal health insurance policies.

FYI - In the US the average cost for a family of 4 is 22,000 USD per year.

I’m not sure if you’re demonstrating that the level of reading comprehension is lower than average on mumsnet or if you’ve just jumped on my comment to have a vent.

My point was solely in response to the comment about insurance based health care systems. The narrative on mumsnet is that all insurance based systems are bad and the NHS is the only way to run a healthcare system. This isn’t the case - see France, Germany, Netherlands. But this point doesn’t fit in with the extremism often demonstrated on mumsnet.

If they called themselves the Lying Grifter Light Racism Party they would probably do less well. If Farage got ill off those fags and booze though that would be natural justice. You can hear the smokers death rattle in his voice and just imagine what he must smell like. Urgghhh

Because he is extremely into Trumpian politics and has already said he wouldn't rule out anything with regards to replacing the NHS. He may like the French system but I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw Mr "Open to anything". Especially when we know he is big on the Free Market. He cannot wait to flog public health to the highest bidder.

https://bylinetimes.com/2025/01/27/nigel-farages-latest-nhs-comments-spark-fresh-scrutiny-of-reform-uks-health-policy/

30p Lee will be all over that as a policy - he should be Chancellor and would make Liz Truss look competent. Brexit 2.0 - what could possibly go wrong !!