This migrant problem is going to let Reform in isn’t it?

[EvangelicalAboutButteredToast]

Honestly it’s such a bloody nightmare. Reform are making a total hash of local government from what I’ve read, putting teenagers in charge of whole departments with no relevant experience. What are they going to do if they are elected to run a country!!!! I’m honestly terrified. Labour need to be seen to be actively doing something to quell the far-right momentum that’s gaining traction from ordinary folk. I’m amazed at the average, usually pretty sensible people around me who are now telling me they are going to vote Reform.

there was an interview I saw yesterday where the minister said that thousands of people were being deported regularly. The interviewer asked why there were no videos of this and she said there could be. Well let’s see it! It would absolutely help.

Yes. It is the reason why they are needed. In a warming world the UK will become and more popular. The population needs to be restricted and Reform need to focus on getting the current population match fit.

I reckon we’ll end up with a lab/lib/snp coalition as a reform-Tory one won’t quite have the votes. Labour are likely to recover their vote share a bit before the next election but without some big ideas they won’t win outright again.

bit the field is wide open for someone to have better policies…

We need people who can increase businesses and not hammer employment. People are leaving now and jobs are going with Labour in.

Do you seriously believe the minister? We would have heard about it before now.

What, even the girls?

Even the animal lovers?

I'm no fan of the hike in employers' NI and I think it was a mistake.

But I think far more people will choose to leave the UK if and when Reform are elected. It will be the only sensible option for those who can. Too bad for the ones who will be left behind.

I agree. Farage is literally quoting the MAGA playbook already. It will be far worse if (when, I think) he gets in. I became aware of Ed Davey a year ago when he raised his profile doing silly stunts pre-Election. Actually, in PMQs & at other times, he speaks a lot of sense. I think KS is good on the international stage, a better(pre) 'wartime' leader then many but fairly hopeless domestically.

Marxist? I think you either don't know or don't understand what Marxism is. Whatever the rights and wrongs of striking, they are entitled to push for restoring their salary levels to what they once were, given the training, the pressures and responsibilities of the job

@MischiefandMayhemManaged I doubt it was any different under the Tory’s either - it’s not suddenly got massively worse. What makes you think Farage has the solutions and there will be the money in the system for those solutions. You will get an income and brain drain if he is in - sorry , just as I predicted Brexit would solve jack shit ( it’s actually made the migrant crisis worse as France no longer bound by treaty to prevent it or accept returns) I can predict Reform would solve jack shit too . To be frank the most sensible thing all round is to do a Norway type agreement with EU and bring back that treaty and single market plus customs union - economy would get a boost and controls back in . I would say join EU but if we can’t do that at least halfway house. Brexit has solved absolutely zilch and made things worse -

Keir Starmer’s Twitter feed is full-on Reform.

As a woman I am more concerned about the out of control illegal immigration happening right now than worrying about who will be in government in 4 years.

Except poverty is a key driver of crime maybe not immediately for example some people involved in running drug gangs etc were raised in poverty and then add in a lack of state support/intervention and they unfortunately go down the wrong path.

Poverty and deprivation is linked to a lot of crime

They don’t actually know, it’s just words they say cause they’re mostly idiots

Not the view of the CEO of Lloyds Banking group (this morning on R4) - he was really upbeat about Labour's strategy

They type of people who flee the UK if/when Reform get in will surely only be a benefit to society.

What type of people are they?

Precisely. ‘Terrified’ of Reform really OP. I‘’m more terrified of the state of the county currently.

I think there are a lot more people who will quietly vote Reform, increasingly from middle-class voters. Even if you think illegal migration is not a big problem, there is a lot of money spent on looking after people (almost 100% young men) coming from countries with no conflict. And crime statistics in London have increased year on year and inflation is high + no growth, which is the worst possible scenario. Deflation is a tough situation to get out of. Add to that excessive state spending by Labour, the rise of sectarianism and onerous taxation, it’s a very bleak picture. Labour and the Conservatives have not had any answers to any of this.

The labour government are such a Debbie downer scrabbling around to see what they can tax next.

Add in the councils, water authorities, energy providers doing exactly the same. Anyone working, retired, in a pension scheme is in someone's sights.

We're being rinsed, there's a lot of resentment towards central and local government.

Reform are pouring into the vacuum.

I completely agree.

Well that’s good as he’s not read the report on jobs today.

“Particularly worrying is the sustained impact of the Budget measures on employment. Higher staffing costs have exacerbated firms’ existing concerns over payroll numbers in the current environment of weak demand, resulting in another month of sharply reduced headcounts in July.”

Well, of course, they’re reducing the regulations on banks, Lloyds would be keen - Andrew Bailey isn’t such a fan however, we’re still paying for the last banker bailout, in so many ways.

In their constiuencies Reform are now local government aren't they?

Reform will not have a majority in 2026 in the Scottish Parliament or the Senedd in Wales, because of the PR voting system. Nor gain control of any councils in London. So unlike this year's local elections, there will not be a momentum.

If an election is outside the summer months, the weather is such that small boats are less likely to be crossing and so the visibility less.

Largest party in 2029 possible, not an overall majority.