What can an individual do to keep Reform out?

[Thepoliticsofchaos]

I have a young friend (a university student) who is getting depressed about the prospect of Reform getting in next election. He thinks that the UK is fucked, basically. He's left-leaning, I assume a Labour voter. I've advised him to get politically engaged (so that in the future he'll at least be able to feel that he did what he could). He's not the most outgoing of people, though is interested in politics. Can anyone suggest how he could become usefully politically engaged to try to reduce the Reform vote? Not just joining a party and turning up to meetings, but actually doing something?

We all need to get involved somehow to support whichever party has the policies that we want to see in place. That cannot be done cowering at home. Politics is a people 'business' your young friend needs to understand that. Talking to neighbours or colleagues is the way to discover what individuals really like or even dislike. Only so much can be accomplished by writing letters to the newspapers.

Disagree. Politics should be a private matter. No need to interfere with other people's own politics. We all walk in our own shoes and can make up our own minds. The main problem today is people having a view about how other people chose to exercise their own right to vote.

Can anyone suggest how he could become usefully politically engaged to try to reduce the Reform vote? Not just joining a party and turning up to meetings, but actually doing something?
@Leavesfalling Did you miss this part of the Opening Post?
It specifically says politically engaged' as in wanting more people to support a party other than Reform UK.

Without a doubt. Support is dwindling with every day that passes. I've noticed Starmer and Reeves ageing visibly in recent weeks.

So do you think that individuals should maybe listen to the politicians who are campaigning before the next general election, make up their minds on who to vote for, and say nothing about it to anybody? Don't you think that talking to friends and acquaintances about what the politicians are saying helps everyone to understand things better, think things through, pick up on any dishonest fake facts and manipulation by the politicians, etc?

So do you mean speak to others that agree with you, so in your case not Reform. Do you think the present government were truthful before the election.

What gives him the arrogance to think he should be trying to persuade other people to his political views. A young boy.

People need to decide for themselves.

It's great that you are thinking of helping him do something. We could do with having more (rightly concerned) people get politically engaged, to fight back. Though it may not be successful - many people are economically desperate enough /have been left behind by capitalism to fall for the Reform myths and claims - he will at least know that he has tried to help.

Political parties and community organizations need foot soldiers. Leafleting can be done pretty quietly, and is generally considered to be as useful as canvassing. Donations to local organizations or communities also helpful.

If the economy starts growing again, and more people feel they have some prospect of achievement and success in life again, then hopefully the prospect of a Reform government will recede.

What I think is that currently people seem unable to talk about politics without attacking people personally. Ie if you vote Reform you are automatically racist according to many on MN. People can't seem to distinguish an opinion about how a country should be governed economically or by whom with someone's character (ie the mental Brexit behaviour which I think started this).

The last thing people need is to be patronised by some lefty young person lecturing them as to why they shouldnt vote for Refom. People can only judge who to vote for accordingly to their own lives and experiences. It used to be that money and politics weren't fit for polite discussion and I think thats actually a good rule these days.

If he’s old enough to vote he’s old enough to be politically active. He’s got more of a stake in the future than most posters on this thread.

I see what you mean, Leavesfalling. I agree that a 20 year old lecturing someone decades older on politics is unlikely to go well. But I do think that a genuine conversation about politics is a good thing, and may change some minds. A 2-way conversation. I'm actually quite worried about 16-year olds being allowed to vote. How much about life and society do most of them know?

I don't think 16 year old will end up being given the vote now due to the inherent contradiction with the Online Safety Act. You can't ban 16 year old from seeing what 18 year olds are allowed to.

I hope you're right. They can vote in Scottish government elections and the SNP wanted to allow them to become MPs in the Scottish Parliament. Imagine being represented by a 16 year old, who would still be at school. However, that idea was shelved after a consultation exercise. Apparently members of the public were largely against but organisations were in favour.

At present, given Labour's massive parliamentary majority they can initiate the removal of FPTP.

If FPTP were to be replaced by PR or forms thereof, then it is unlikely that we will see a single party govern. A massive step forward in my view. No Thatcher, Blair, Johnson, Truss or Farage.

Sounds fantastic. We can all suffocate in this crap forever.

@Sskka Yes, we can.

Or do something different.

No one has the majority of their income taken away in taxes.

Obviously you aren’t a higher rate tax payer with a high student loan. Do the Maths and then tell m I am wrong. No tax allowance and boom!

The top rate of tax is 45% and that only applies to anything over £125,000.
It is impossible for anyone to have the majority of their income taken in taxes.

Ok. So now add NI - another tax
Then add the student loan repayments, at 9%.
then you get to see you pay out more than you take home. If you have a company car, crikes, don’t even bother. You are basing it on income tax. Did you not realise we pay NI as well, on top of that?

Dear lord, you’re so naive

Yes exactly. He needs to join a political party he can engage with and campaign for young people to vote. It’s a simple action to take but political campaigning and trying to get votes is very hard. There are no quick answers in a place like Britain whatever some like to say.