It's a little disturbing to find certain commonalities reading this. Fantasy literature? Check - currently working through Moorcock's work and a fine time it is. Apple gadgets? Been using Macs for over 30 years now. We're talking pre-return-of-Jobs/Apple clone era. Scary!
As for this question:
What will it take to make people in the UK to understand that Farage / Reform UK would be the single worst option for the country?
I want to argue that people are making some serious mistakes in their approach to Reform and Farage. He is a canny political operator, eloquent and knowledgeable. Granted, that is all in pursuit of his core agenda: immigration. What he has done, though, is give voice to the anger that has been bottled up since the 2008 Financial Crash.
Mervyn King acknowledged this in 2011, and Andrew Bailey has more recently. The Conservatives' Austerity Agenda is at the root of so many of the problems we face today, from crumbling infrastructure to the weaknesses in the NHS, from decimated local authorities to a cost-of-living crisis. Farage has seized the opportunity this provided to take control of the political agenda. Recasting it as an issue of immigration and a political elite that refuses to act in the interests of the electorate, preferring to serve a mythical "Global Elite" embodied in the likes of the WHO or the WEF.
We spend far too much time engaging with Reformistas. As Lowe accurately observed, they are cult-like. Utterly dogmatic and unwilling to engage critically, preferring to dominate opponents rather than debating with them and looking for constructive solutions. Farage knows where the boundaries are when it comes to racism and bigotry in general. He is constantly pushing the envelope and has succeeded in shifting the Overton Window to such an extent that racism has been almost normalised.
At heart, though, Farage is a Conservative in the mould of Thatcher. He is actually further to the right than Thatcher on many issues, or rather, far less constrained than she was. I know how disturbing that might sound. His vision for the UK is a country stripped of public services and support for the vulnerable, a nation where everything is monetised, where companies are free of any constraints. A low-tax, hyper-unequal nation that privileges wealth above all else.
You can see that in his position on taxation, as he pushes for thresholds to be significantly raised, inheritance tax to be abolished, corporation tax to be virtually abolished, and the state to be almost eliminated. Effectively, he would like to see it shrunk to such an extent that it would only really support government and a skeleton of public services to protect property and profits. What little gains the majority of the electorate derive from his tax policy would be completely wiped out by the need for insurance or subscription to access public services in a timely manner.
One upside of Reform making so many gains in local elections is that they are now in a position to implement their policies. They're coasting on the coattails of their predecessors right now, laying claim to successes they had nothing to do with. That's going to change as they are forced to make choices they can't lay at the door of previous administrations. That's going to put them in the spotlight. It will demonstrate their actual level of competence. Ultimately, it will reflect on Farage and his coterie in parliament.
That's when life will become interesting for them, as I suspect it will reveal truths they have tried to dance around up until now. Up until now, focusing on people's grievances has netted considerable gains. One thing Farage can't stand, though, is scrutiny and criticism. I suspect quite a lot will be coming his way then, though.
For now, though, thanks for the constant commentary on our political scene. With the parlous state of our media at present, it's desperately needed.
Reform UK feels like UKIP’s embalmed corpse dragged onto the stage with fresh lipstick smeared across the mouth. When the rot sets in and the smell finally hits the crowd, what’s their slogan going to be — ‘The Stench of Freedom’?
This was a cracking read, Bear. Like a palate cleanser after a week of doomscrolling Westminster and watching Reform cosplay as the grown-ups in the room. Your answers were sharp enough to slice through the sawdust of British politics, but still funny enough to make the whole circus feel survivable.
Two things stood out. First, you’re dead right about “lived reality” being the only teacher some voters will listen to. People will keep buying snake oil until they’ve swallowed enough of it to make themselves sick. Second, thank you for finally confirming what I always suspected about pumpkin spice lattes — they’re basically Yankee candle soup.
And as for “Springtime for Farage”: I’d pay actual money to watch Nigel in lederhosen tap-dancing around a Union Jack while muttering about small boats. Satire might be on life support, but that image alone could bring it roaring back.
Keep these Q&As coming. The mix of honesty, cynicism and absurdity hits like espresso after a night of bad gin — exactly what’s needed to get through the current mess.
Loved this, Bear 🐻 I am also owned by two cats and wouldn’t change it for the world. They have me and my husband extremely well trained and wrapped around their little paws 🐾
I have long wanted telekinesis as my superpower. Maybe because I am essentially lazy but also because it would be fun to play mind games with other people.
I agree, we are all weird. Who wants to be normal?
The trouble with lived experience as you mentioned above is that those living it don't necessarily want to change it. If lived experience means seeing less of who or what they don't want to see, they'll take that as a win even if it means higher prices, reduced choice of food or whatever happens.
How lovely that you took the time to answer all our busy-bee questions :o) Thank you Bear!
Ummm... sorry to break it to you Bear, there are 10 books in the Mazalan series ;o)
Titles Include: Gardens of the Moon; Deadhouse Gates; Memories of Ice; House of Chains; Midnight Tides; The Bonehunters: Book Six of The Malazan Book of the Fallen; Reaper's Gale: Book Seven of The Malazan Book of the Fallen; Toll the Hounds: Book Eight of The Malazan Book of the Fallen; Dust of Dreams: Book Nine of The Malazan Book of the Fallen; The Crippled God: Book Ten of The Malazan Book of the Fallen.
Based on your love for Comté, I have no proof but also no doubt that if we were to meet in real life we could be friends. Also I never wanted to be a billionaire so bad just to be able to produce Springtime for Farage 😂
It's a little disturbing to find certain commonalities reading this. Fantasy literature? Check - currently working through Moorcock's work and a fine time it is. Apple gadgets? Been using Macs for over 30 years now. We're talking pre-return-of-Jobs/Apple clone era. Scary!
As for this question:
What will it take to make people in the UK to understand that Farage / Reform UK would be the single worst option for the country?
I want to argue that people are making some serious mistakes in their approach to Reform and Farage. He is a canny political operator, eloquent and knowledgeable. Granted, that is all in pursuit of his core agenda: immigration. What he has done, though, is give voice to the anger that has been bottled up since the 2008 Financial Crash.
Mervyn King acknowledged this in 2011, and Andrew Bailey has more recently. The Conservatives' Austerity Agenda is at the root of so many of the problems we face today, from crumbling infrastructure to the weaknesses in the NHS, from decimated local authorities to a cost-of-living crisis. Farage has seized the opportunity this provided to take control of the political agenda. Recasting it as an issue of immigration and a political elite that refuses to act in the interests of the electorate, preferring to serve a mythical "Global Elite" embodied in the likes of the WHO or the WEF.
We spend far too much time engaging with Reformistas. As Lowe accurately observed, they are cult-like. Utterly dogmatic and unwilling to engage critically, preferring to dominate opponents rather than debating with them and looking for constructive solutions. Farage knows where the boundaries are when it comes to racism and bigotry in general. He is constantly pushing the envelope and has succeeded in shifting the Overton Window to such an extent that racism has been almost normalised.
At heart, though, Farage is a Conservative in the mould of Thatcher. He is actually further to the right than Thatcher on many issues, or rather, far less constrained than she was. I know how disturbing that might sound. His vision for the UK is a country stripped of public services and support for the vulnerable, a nation where everything is monetised, where companies are free of any constraints. A low-tax, hyper-unequal nation that privileges wealth above all else.
You can see that in his position on taxation, as he pushes for thresholds to be significantly raised, inheritance tax to be abolished, corporation tax to be virtually abolished, and the state to be almost eliminated. Effectively, he would like to see it shrunk to such an extent that it would only really support government and a skeleton of public services to protect property and profits. What little gains the majority of the electorate derive from his tax policy would be completely wiped out by the need for insurance or subscription to access public services in a timely manner.
One upside of Reform making so many gains in local elections is that they are now in a position to implement their policies. They're coasting on the coattails of their predecessors right now, laying claim to successes they had nothing to do with. That's going to change as they are forced to make choices they can't lay at the door of previous administrations. That's going to put them in the spotlight. It will demonstrate their actual level of competence. Ultimately, it will reflect on Farage and his coterie in parliament.
That's when life will become interesting for them, as I suspect it will reveal truths they have tried to dance around up until now. Up until now, focusing on people's grievances has netted considerable gains. One thing Farage can't stand, though, is scrutiny and criticism. I suspect quite a lot will be coming his way then, though.
For now, though, thanks for the constant commentary on our political scene. With the parlous state of our media at present, it's desperately needed.
Reform UK feels like UKIP’s embalmed corpse dragged onto the stage with fresh lipstick smeared across the mouth. When the rot sets in and the smell finally hits the crowd, what’s their slogan going to be — ‘The Stench of Freedom’?
This was a cracking read, Bear. Like a palate cleanser after a week of doomscrolling Westminster and watching Reform cosplay as the grown-ups in the room. Your answers were sharp enough to slice through the sawdust of British politics, but still funny enough to make the whole circus feel survivable.
Two things stood out. First, you’re dead right about “lived reality” being the only teacher some voters will listen to. People will keep buying snake oil until they’ve swallowed enough of it to make themselves sick. Second, thank you for finally confirming what I always suspected about pumpkin spice lattes — they’re basically Yankee candle soup.
And as for “Springtime for Farage”: I’d pay actual money to watch Nigel in lederhosen tap-dancing around a Union Jack while muttering about small boats. Satire might be on life support, but that image alone could bring it roaring back.
Keep these Q&As coming. The mix of honesty, cynicism and absurdity hits like espresso after a night of bad gin — exactly what’s needed to get through the current mess.
Great questions, great answers! Springtime for Farage has to happen, it just has to 😃
My cat is currently asleep on my lap, I really need to get up but…..I am but her servant 😻
Loved this, Bear 🐻 I am also owned by two cats and wouldn’t change it for the world. They have me and my husband extremely well trained and wrapped around their little paws 🐾
I have long wanted telekinesis as my superpower. Maybe because I am essentially lazy but also because it would be fun to play mind games with other people.
I agree, we are all weird. Who wants to be normal?
The trouble with lived experience as you mentioned above is that those living it don't necessarily want to change it. If lived experience means seeing less of who or what they don't want to see, they'll take that as a win even if it means higher prices, reduced choice of food or whatever happens.
Great stuff
You know right from wrong so keep on
You had me at lasagne
How lovely that you took the time to answer all our busy-bee questions :o) Thank you Bear!
Ummm... sorry to break it to you Bear, there are 10 books in the Mazalan series ;o)
Titles Include: Gardens of the Moon; Deadhouse Gates; Memories of Ice; House of Chains; Midnight Tides; The Bonehunters: Book Six of The Malazan Book of the Fallen; Reaper's Gale: Book Seven of The Malazan Book of the Fallen; Toll the Hounds: Book Eight of The Malazan Book of the Fallen; Dust of Dreams: Book Nine of The Malazan Book of the Fallen; The Crippled God: Book Ten of The Malazan Book of the Fallen.
You've a way to go, yet! LOL
It was really very fun - it was like chatting to all of you guys!
As for the Malazan Books - I know, and they’re all good (so far at least), but fuck me sideways, the first one was hard work to get through!
LOL Ah the fantasy fiction reader - its a special kind of masochism LOL
I am currently working my way through the Dwarves saga by Markus Heitz. It’s pure escapist, switch-the-brain off reading for me :o)
Based on your love for Comté, I have no proof but also no doubt that if we were to meet in real life we could be friends. Also I never wanted to be a billionaire so bad just to be able to produce Springtime for Farage 😂
I deeply love Comté - it is also, without question, the best cheese to use for miniature Croque Madame’s.
Also, I have a firm belief that much bonding can happen over a good cheese
🐻
The holy trinity of human relationships is cheese, bread and wine.
In respect to the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow, you would need to know if it is African or European.
It’s a Holy Grail question. 😉