The Reform Thread

[Gloucester Saint]

1 hour ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

While on the topic of champions of democracy, such as Reform and the Greens, an SNP councillor has been jailed for sexual assault against 5 men.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yrwd2n3weo

While that's bad enough, the SNP went out of it's way to silence and cover up the incidents, going as far as plotting to oust others from the party who raised concerns, or complained about how those concerns were dealt with. The guilty party was seen as a rising star in the party, and has plenty of photos with Sturgeon.

More on behaviour that was indulged for over a decade, here.

https://wingsoverscotland.com/in-your-name/#more-137374

 

Not sure what emoji to put in reaction to that, but clearly the Salmond saga hasn’t led to lessons learned. 

In other news, Polanski’s nose grows https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5pgv35y7eo

[badgerx16]

3 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

 

In other news, Polanski’s nose grows https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5pgv35y7eo

Well, you know what happens when a politician's lips move.

[Gloucester Saint]

6 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

Well, you know what happens when a politician's lips move.

I can’t stand Polanski but where he does have a micro point is that Farage, Tice and now Jenryck are only scrutinised by Private Eye, Times, Mirror, Guardian and occasionally the Mail when Badenoch complains (or so the rumour goes).

The level of sycophancy from the DT, Express and BBC leadership is vile when those three have very chequered recent histories. 

Edited Wednesday at 11:35 by Gloucester Saint

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 hour ago, Gloucester Saint said:

I can’t stand Polanski but where he does have a micro point is that Farage, Tice and now Jenryck are only scrutinised by Private Eye, Times, Mirror, Guardian and occasionally the Mail when Badenoch complains (or so the rumour goes).

The level of sycophancy from the DT, Express and BBC leadership is vile when those three have very chequered recent histories. 

"It's a matter of trust" said someone from labour.

In other news, all parties are reassessing their immigration policies after 2 million die, after their sides split with laughter over political hypocrisy.

1 hour ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Not sure what emoji to put in reaction to that, but clearly the Salmond saga hasn’t led to lessons learned. 

In other news, Polanski’s nose grows https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5pgv35y7eo

I'm forming the opinion that some politicians have to stop standing because the length of their nose making troughing impossible.

The SNP can't move on from Salmond as some of the people involved in that, are still in office. More broadly, and they aren't alone here, is that there's a controlling group that purged anyone who they felt to be a threat. Morality and decency were never factors for them. 

 

[tdmickey3]

Looking forward to seeing the gullible Reform voters realising that its just what they are...

[AlexLaw76]

18 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

Looking forward to seeing the gullible Reform voters realising that its just what they are...

I dont think anyone cares. They are the only party talking about doing something serious to fix (reduce) immigration specifically illegal immigration.

Any party that talks like that has a chance. If they follow through with it is another matter, but I guess it wont be for the lack of effort.

[Lord Duckhunter]

23 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

Looking forward to seeing the gullible Reform voters realising that its just what they are...

Looks like the gullible labour voters from 2024 have realised that’s what they were. 

[pingpong]

Coxford, Millbrook, Thornhill. All gone to reform.

Seems ironic that the areas who will benefit the least from the likes of reform getting in are the ones voting for it!

[Gloucester Saint]

12 minutes ago, pingpong said:

Coxford, Millbrook, Thornhill. All gone to reform.

Seems ironic that the areas who will benefit the least from the likes of reform getting in are the ones voting for it!

Hope they’ve been saving up, that St George’s flag will be very costly https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y68r40yzgo

[Holmes_and_Watson]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I dont think anyone cares. They are the only party talking about doing something serious to fix (reduce) immigration specifically illegal immigration.

Any party that talks like that has a chance. If they follow through with it is another matter, but I guess it wont be for the lack of effort.

It's an issue that both Conservatives and Labour governments have paid lip service to for decades. They've only themselves to blame if people hold them to account for it. 

I doubt it's the only issue that applies to people's voting for Reform either.

[badgerx16]

1 hour ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Hope they’ve been saving up, that St George’s flag will be very costly https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y68r40yzgo

How many of the Reform councillors blaming the previous Conservative administration were actually part of that administration ?

And will the 9% rise actually stave off "financial collapse", or will that be done by the emegency loans from the Government, ( £55M this year snd potentially £99M next ) ?

Edited 4 hours ago by badgerx16

[tdmickey3]

3 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I dont think anyone cares. They are the only party talking about doing something serious to fix (reduce) immigration specifically illegal immigration.

Any party that talks like that has a chance. If they follow through with it is another matter, but I guess it wont be for the lack of effort.

 

They will care for sure

All parties talk about it but doing it is the problem and the same will apply to Farage`s lot especially when there claims are utter nonsense, nothing will change unless the system to process them is fir for purpose..

Looking forward to hearing about the reality of the reform council actions... it will be a mess as has been shown so far

Edited 3 hours ago by tdmickey3

[Gloucester Saint]

3 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I dont think anyone cares. They are the only party talking about doing something serious to fix (reduce) immigration specifically illegal immigration.

Any party that talks like that has a chance. If they follow through with it is another matter, but I guess it wont be for the lack of effort.

One of the better Reddit threads here on how slogans don’t make any difference in the logistics of stopping the boats (that includes Starmer and Smash the Gangs, Badenoch and leaving ECHR - totally irrelevant - and Reform deploying the Navy (really daft)

The boats are only a small % of overall illegal immigration but visually a huge part of it in the areas voting Reform.

The only reducing of illegal immigration will happen with long-term judicial reform, policy changes which incorporate international partners and a huge crackdown on the shadow economy which is the main incentive to come here in the first place. 

All of that costs large additional investment in Border Force, HMRC, Police, judicial system for even faster processing.

If people are willing 5-10p extra income tax to fund it, fine. 

[Gloucester Saint]

1 hour ago, badgerx16 said:

How many of the Reform councillors blaming the previous Conservative administration were actually part of that administration ?

And will the 9% rise actually stave off "financial collapse", or will that be done by the emegency loans from the Government, ( £55M this year snd potentially £99M next ) ?

Quite. Quelle surprise it’s the Brexit voting areas being daft. Still a belief in Unicorns. 🦄 

[Gloucester Saint]

1 hour ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

It's an issue that both Conservatives and Labour governments have paid lip service to for decades. They've only themselves to blame if people hold them to account for it. 

I doubt it's the only issue that applies to people's voting for Reform either.

That’s not really accurate though, see my post about the Reddit thread below. Straw and May ran Home Offices very hostile to illegal immigration. Ultimately, because of austerity, Brexit and Covid, the reality on the ground is that the enforcement posts aren’t there in the sane numbers and very thinly spread in a more complex and dangerous world.

Illigal immigration as #1 priority means tax hikes and benefits bill reductions = fact. And wards such Millbrook, Coxford etc have some of lowest economic activity and highest welfare bills in Southampton. Clear disconnect to reality. 

[tdmickey3]

11 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

One of the better Reddit threads here on how slogans don’t make any difference in the logistics of stopping the boats (that includes Starmer and Smash the Gangs, Badenoch and leaving ECHR - totally irrelevant - and Reform deploying the Navy (really daft)

The boats are only a small % of overall illegal immigration but visually a huge part of it in the areas voting Reform.

The only reducing of illegal immigration will happen with long-term judicial reform, policy changes which incorporate international partners and a huge crackdown on the shadow economy which is the main incentive to come here in the first place. 

All of that costs large additional investment in Border Force, HMRC, Police, judicial system for even faster processing.

If people are willing 5-10p extra income tax to fund it, fine. 

Yep to all of that

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 minute ago, Gloucester Saint said:

That’s not really accurate though, see my post about the Reddit thread below. Straw and May ran Home Offices very hostile to illegal immigration. Ultimately, because of austerity, Brexit and Covid, the reality on the ground is that the enforcement posts aren’t there in the sane numbers and very thinly spread in a more complex and dangerous world.

Illigal immigration as #1 priority means tax hikes and benefits bill reductions = fact. And wards such Millbrook, Coxford etc have some of lowest economic activity and highest welfare bills in Southampton. Clear disconnect to reality. 

I remember May as being someone who talked a lot about it, while little changed. It's the results people are interested in, not various excuses as to why they don't do what they say they will do.

If it's people's number 1 concern, and they now vote Reform then that's their right. Both Conservatives and Labour governments have had plenty of opportunity.

If Reform fall flat on their faces, make lives even worse for people and make horrendous decisions elsewhere, hopefully they will vote for someone else next time.

[tdmickey3]

3 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

I remember May as being someone who talked a lot about it, while little changed. It's the results people are interested in, not various excuses as to why they don't do what they say they will do.

If it's people's number 1 concern, and they now vote Reform then that's their right. Both Conservatives and Labour governments have had plenty of opportunity.

If Reform fall flat on their faces, make lives even worse for people and make horrendous decisions elsewhere, hopefully they will vote for someone else next time.

This will turn out to be an accurate prediction

[Gloucester Saint]

3 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

I remember May as being someone who talked a lot about it, while little changed. It's the results people are interested in, not various excuses as to why they don't do what they say they will do.

If it's people's number 1 concern, and they now vote Reform then that's their right. Both Conservatives and Labour governments have had plenty of opportunity.

If Reform fall flat on their faces, make lives even worse for people and make horrendous decisions elsewhere, hopefully they will vote for someone else next time.

People also voted for the austerity which is why the ‘Hostile Environment’ didn’t translate practically. They can vote for who they want but all we’ll get is the ‘politicians are all the same’ when their council tax goes up 9% like it just has in Reform-led Worcs CC.

Voters might not like experts like Paul Johnson of the IFS but he’s an expert for a reason - he’s often correct.

If immigration’s your top priority, there’s no DOGE or anything left to cut. It needs paying for and that means all of us. 

[tdmickey3]

1 minute ago, Gloucester Saint said:

People also voted for the austerity which is why the ‘Hostile Environment’ didn’t translate practically. They can vote for who they want but all we’ll get is the ‘politicians are all the same’ when their council tax goes up 9% like it just has in Reform-led Worcs CC.

Voters might not like experts like Paul Johnson of the IFS but he’s an expert for a reason - he’s often correct.

If immigration’s your top priority, there’s no DOGE or anything left to cut. It needs paying for and that means all of us. 

The crux of the problem but the truth is everyone wants everything but don't want to pay for it

[Gloucester Saint]

2 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

The crux of the problem but the truth is everyone wants everything but don't want to pay for it

Nigel Lawton’s quote in the 1980s about our electorate wanting Western European public services and North American levels of taxation are as pertinent as ever.

They’ll always be disillusioned whoever is in power.

[Lord Duckhunter]

[egg]

4 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I dont think anyone cares. They are the only party talking about doing something serious to fix (reduce) immigration specifically illegal immigration.

Any party that talks like that has a chance. If they follow through with it is another matter, but I guess it wont be for the lack of effort.

Reform supporters talk as if illegal immigration is our main issue, and easily solvable. Neither are true, yet people naively support a party who say they'll address it.

Firstly, they'd have to get legal changes past the HOL. Good luck. 

Then they'll need to think about how they'll assemble an ICE style gestapo to round up the 750k illegals. 

They then have to implement that, facing all sorts of issues as per the US. 

They've then got to house illegals pending removal, and a legal due process which will happen despite what the gullible think. 

They then need the judiciary to deal with the legal challenges. It doesn't exist on that scale. 

They then need to get the people on planes, and most importantly, find someone who'll take them.

None of that will happen. None of that is funded - especially from a party pledging to slash taxes. 

It's all absolute bollox, swallowed people who won't admit that the main thing  they want from reform is less brown people in the country, without any thought as to how the promise can be delivered, and the policies that actually impact people on a day to day basis.

If people are honest, less illegal immigration won't actually change their lives in any meaningful way. 

Edited 1 hour ago by egg

[Farmer Saint]

4 hours ago, pingpong said:

Coxford, Millbrook, Thornhill. All gone to reform.

Seems ironic that the areas who will benefit the least from the likes of reform getting in are the ones voting for it!

Turkeys voting for Xmas.

[AlexLaw76]

2 minutes ago, egg said:

Reform supporters talk as if illegal immigration is our main issue, and easily solvable. Neither are true, yet people naively support a party who say they'll address it.

Firstly, they'd have to get legal changes past the HOL. Good luck. 

Then they'll need to think about how they'll assemble an ICE style gestapo to round up the 750k illegals. 

They then have to implement that, facing all sorts of issues as per the US. 

They've then got to house illegals pending removal, and a legal due process which will happen despite what the gullible think. 

They then need the judiciary to deal with the legal challenges. It doesn't exist on that scale. 

They then need to get the people on planes, and most importantly, find someone who'll take them.

None of that will happen. None of that is funded - especially from a party pledging to slash taxes. 

It's all absolute bollox, swallowed people who won't admit that the main thing  they want from reform is less brown people in the country, without any thought as to how the promise can be delivered, and the policies that actually impact people on a day to day basis.

If people are honest, less illegal immigration won't actually change their lives in any meaningful way. 

All may be true, but just doing almost nothing is killing the major parties.

[egg]

Just now, Farmer Saint said:

Turkeys voting for Xmas.

Solid labour heartland lurching to the right. Clueless. Absolutely clueless. 

In due course, when they get in, and  the inevitable austerity bites, and their old mum has to sell up to get her hip fixed, they'll all be frothing at the mouth. 

Democracy doesn't work when there's such a level of deceit from snake oil salesman politicians, and the masses don't question what they're told, or play the tape forward. 

[Turkish]

[egg]

1 minute ago, Turkish said:

That's a nice shirt to be fair. Tie, whistle and cufflinks a bit shit though. 

[Farmer Saint]

3 minutes ago, egg said:

Solid labour heartland lurching to the right. Clueless. Absolutely clueless. 

In due course, when they get in, and  the inevitable austerity bites, and their old mum has to sell up to get her hip fixed, they'll all be frothing at the mouth. 

Democracy doesn't work when there's such a level of deceit from snake oil salesman politicians, and the masses don't question what they're told, or play the tape forward. 

I'm just waiting for my Mark Carney Green card. I've just had enough of this fucking country and the gullible knobheads who live here.

[Turkish]

6 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

All may be true, but just doing almost nothing is killing the major parties.

I would suggest that a lot of Reform voters are voting that way because of the absolute shit show the two main parties have been for almost two decades. Reform are appealing to the working class Brit who feel ignored with wokeness and political correctness being prioritised over normal work people and they've had a gutful. Like Brexit it's not a vote for what they want, it's a vote against what they dont want.

[Turkish]

5 minutes ago, egg said:

That's a nice shirt to be fair. Tie, whistle and cufflinks a bit shit though. 

not for me, looks like an 80s banker. Politicians dont dress very well do they.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

2 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

I'm just waiting for my Mark Carney Green card. I've just had enough of this fucking country and the gullible knobheads who live here.

The very next thing I read...

"The new politics is the Green Party Vs Reform" - Polanski

Hopefully that card will be fast tracked 🙂

[badgerx16]

As Reform have already found out since last year's local elections, it is easy to mock when in opposition, claim to know all the answers, and your policies don't get tested in real life deployment. Being in power and actually responsible for delivery is a much different kettle of fish, let alone finding out how little leeway councils have in day to day operations.

 

[iansums]

53 minutes ago, Turkish said:

I would suggest that a lot of Reform voters are voting that way because of the absolute shit show the two main parties have been for almost two decades. Reform are appealing to the working class Brit who feel ignored with wokeness and political correctness being prioritised over normal work people and they've had a gutful. Like Brexit it's not a vote for what they want, it's a vote against what they dont want.

This

[trousers]

1 hour ago, egg said:

Solid labour heartland lurching to the right. Clueless. Absolutely clueless. 

In due course, when they get in, and  the inevitable austerity bites, and their old mum has to sell up to get her hip fixed, they'll all be frothing at the mouth. 

Democracy doesn't work when there's such a level of deceit from snake oil salesman politicians, and the masses don't question what they're told, or play the tape forward. 

Thickos!

[Turkish]

12 minutes ago, iansums said:

This

You aren't allowed an opinion on politics.

[Whitey Grandad]

1 hour ago, Farmer Saint said:

I'm just waiting for my Mark Carney Green card. I've just had enough of this fucking country and the gullible knobheads who live here.

Nice country Canada. Can get a bit cold though. 

[iansums]

15 minutes ago, Turkish said:

You aren't allowed an opinion on politics.

I thought I WAS allowed just a humble opinion on voting intentions should I ever be worthy enough of the opportunity to visit a polling station?