A most concise, eloquent, and perceptive analysis. Absolutely hits the mark and shows how Reform would destroy the economy of this country. They have no knowledge of the challenges of real politics.
And that my friend is the message we need to convey loud and strong. Currently in the UK, Reform has only caused limited damage at local council level as they don't have the true national clout they desire. However, we need to highlight, illustrate, spotlight and illuminate all the failings they will have at that local level, in order to educate the voting constituents that those failures will be what they will get if Reform make proper inroads to Parliamentary power. We need to point vociferously 3,000 miles to the West, using Trumplethinskins utter car-crash "presidency" with all the blatant corruption and fascist elements, to demonstrate exactly what will happen if we give Reform just one more inch on their leash. American voters are waking up with a painful jolt as they realise all the "otherism" policies boasted of by the Orange Fraud, are actually policies that will decimate the lives of regular, hard-working American citizens.
An excellent, spot on analysis, Bear. If only there were MSM journalists willing to go into such detail to get this message out more widely. There is, of course, a core of Reform voters who, like the MAGAts in the US, refuse to acknowledge facts (and probably aren't capable of understanding them anyway), but there are surely, enough people who, while fed up, would be able to see reason if it was presented to them in the news bulletins and headlines that are their only/main source of news.
The two elephants in the room that none of the parties are really facing up to. We do need immigration and we do need to pay more tax.
Along with the need to invest more, both public and private to rebuild public services, infrastructure and the wider economy. Left to its own devices, the 'market' just wont do it on its own without a very firm push from government.
All we need to say about Farage is he’s a Trump fan. I have quite a number of American relatives and I know from a personal point of view what a stinking revolting mess he’s making of everything. I know from being told by people who live there, not from newspapers or TV reports, and we don’t want that here.
Excellent overview, thank you! I find it also telling they are so reluctant to embrace the term "far right" when they meet the criteria. I think that's key to stopping them - make sure the discontented moderates they are targeting know exactly what they are. I've attempted to give a comprehensive analysis here:
Hi Bear. As always, I agree with you. Farage & Reform, imho, are vile. Farage & Reform are, imho, bent. Farage & Reform are, imho, self-serving far beyond anything the Conservatives, never mind Labour, could ever imagine.
But. They are listening. They are engaging. They are responding. They offer ‘something’; they do not leave a vacuum. Since you started writing about them, have you not noticed how you are having to work harder to dissect & refute?
The real twin dangers here are their growing veneer of competence (20%), partially contributed to by us pointing out their flaws, and the endless eternal silence from our governing incumbents (the 80% contributor).
The current growth of Reform is undoubtedly fuelled by every bugger talking about them and no one talking about the alternatives as, honestly, the alternatives are not generating anything worth talking about! Post Blair, I understood Govt employed people whose job it is to spin and manipulate the media to press their agenda. If that is indeed the case those people in the current administration want sacking and someone competent bringing in.
Much as any person with a social conscience will stay away from Reform, we can only do that when we are offered some form of viable, half reasonable alternative to their bile. Relying on inbuilt, once decent and inherent social values, is not a counterpoint strategy but political incompetence of the grossest kind. The kind that unless it is changed will sleepwalk UK PLC into financial and social oblivion.
A most concise, eloquent, and perceptive analysis. Absolutely hits the mark and shows how Reform would destroy the economy of this country. They have no knowledge of the challenges of real politics.
You have omitted one glaring fact! Farage intends to do everything that Trump is doing, try asking the average American how that is working out.
Average American here. The farmers, the veterans and state park workers who were formerly Trumpers are now waking up.
Trump now has the lowest polling numbers since the beginning of polling
And that my friend is the message we need to convey loud and strong. Currently in the UK, Reform has only caused limited damage at local council level as they don't have the true national clout they desire. However, we need to highlight, illustrate, spotlight and illuminate all the failings they will have at that local level, in order to educate the voting constituents that those failures will be what they will get if Reform make proper inroads to Parliamentary power. We need to point vociferously 3,000 miles to the West, using Trumplethinskins utter car-crash "presidency" with all the blatant corruption and fascist elements, to demonstrate exactly what will happen if we give Reform just one more inch on their leash. American voters are waking up with a painful jolt as they realise all the "otherism" policies boasted of by the Orange Fraud, are actually policies that will decimate the lives of regular, hard-working American citizens.
Exactly what I was thinking. He’s Trump’s mini-me.
So nice to see the explanation written so clearly. Just wish this was given the prominence it deserves and needs.
An excellent, spot on analysis, Bear. If only there were MSM journalists willing to go into such detail to get this message out more widely. There is, of course, a core of Reform voters who, like the MAGAts in the US, refuse to acknowledge facts (and probably aren't capable of understanding them anyway), but there are surely, enough people who, while fed up, would be able to see reason if it was presented to them in the news bulletins and headlines that are their only/main source of news.
The two elephants in the room that none of the parties are really facing up to. We do need immigration and we do need to pay more tax.
Along with the need to invest more, both public and private to rebuild public services, infrastructure and the wider economy. Left to its own devices, the 'market' just wont do it on its own without a very firm push from government.
Many thanks Bear for this excellent piece. Very comprehensive, clear and to the point. 👌👍👏👏
Heaven forbid that Britain succumb to yet another Trumpian mini-me! Head for the hills to avoid such an ill-fate!
That's a solid explanation of Reform UK's appeal.
I also recommend this essay that discusses what Reform UK is.
"The Truth About Reform: Are They Far Right?"
https://morewretchthansage.substack.com/p/the-truth-about-reform-are-they-far
Absolutely excellent article, putting into print my own thoughts. We need to spread this across social media, as it is so important.
All we need to say about Farage is he’s a Trump fan. I have quite a number of American relatives and I know from a personal point of view what a stinking revolting mess he’s making of everything. I know from being told by people who live there, not from newspapers or TV reports, and we don’t want that here.
An excellent description of the ol' USA, too. Ron from Kansas.
Excellent overview, thank you! I find it also telling they are so reluctant to embrace the term "far right" when they meet the criteria. I think that's key to stopping them - make sure the discontented moderates they are targeting know exactly what they are. I've attempted to give a comprehensive analysis here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/morewretchthansage/p/the-truth-about-reform-are-they-far
Hi Bear. As always, I agree with you. Farage & Reform, imho, are vile. Farage & Reform are, imho, bent. Farage & Reform are, imho, self-serving far beyond anything the Conservatives, never mind Labour, could ever imagine.
But. They are listening. They are engaging. They are responding. They offer ‘something’; they do not leave a vacuum. Since you started writing about them, have you not noticed how you are having to work harder to dissect & refute?
The real twin dangers here are their growing veneer of competence (20%), partially contributed to by us pointing out their flaws, and the endless eternal silence from our governing incumbents (the 80% contributor).
The current growth of Reform is undoubtedly fuelled by every bugger talking about them and no one talking about the alternatives as, honestly, the alternatives are not generating anything worth talking about! Post Blair, I understood Govt employed people whose job it is to spin and manipulate the media to press their agenda. If that is indeed the case those people in the current administration want sacking and someone competent bringing in.
Much as any person with a social conscience will stay away from Reform, we can only do that when we are offered some form of viable, half reasonable alternative to their bile. Relying on inbuilt, once decent and inherent social values, is not a counterpoint strategy but political incompetence of the grossest kind. The kind that unless it is changed will sleepwalk UK PLC into financial and social oblivion.
Pass me the scalpel …
To be countered by the other parties with,
‘Britain doesn't need a plank’.