Seems Farage has an announcement to make at 4pm today.

Yup, the babe magnet 😂😂😂

Here he is on reality tv programme I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here last year boasting about his lavish lifestyle and power as an MEP. Chauffeur driven cars, 300 euros a day spending allowance, crab and lobster for dinner every day if he wanted it. Yes, he’s definitely a “man of the people” who will have much in common with his constituents 🤢
youtu.be/WLYl3_-nTa0?si=3xY_O3u_qz-JYv-l

Somehow we are on page 7

and I am none the wiser about Reform/Farage policies except for immigration being central to Farage

- and I have no idea what magic solution he has for even that.

growstuff

Casdon

I just looked up Jaywick, which I knew nothing about. I expected it to be a town similar in size to Clacton, but it’s not, it’s less than one tenth as big, only 5000 people live there - so a large village size really.

Exactly! It's an enclave of the constituency, which gives the wider area a bad name, but actually it's a textbook example of "haves" and "have nots". There are more "haves", which is why it's so solidly Conservative.

I think poor Jaywick was originally intended to be another seaside holiday destination, but it didn't really make it. There's nothing there for its inhabitants. I have seen old people from my home town reminisce on social media about what a nice place it was 50+ years ago.

We always went to Walton., it was very easy to get to by train, as were Clacton, Frinton and Brightlingsea.

MaizieD

I don't think that Farage is in the least bit interested in improving the lives of most people in the Clacton area, is he, growstuff? 😆

I doubt it vey much.

There's no pretence about how I judge his influence, Galaxy.

Casdon

I just looked up Jaywick, which I knew nothing about. I expected it to be a town similar in size to Clacton, but it’s not, it’s less than one tenth as big, only 5000 people live there - so a large village size really.

Exactly! It's an enclave of the constituency, which gives the wider area a bad name, but actually it's a textbook example of "haves" and "have nots". There are more "haves", which is why it's so solidly Conservative.

I don't think that Farage is in the least bit interested in improving the lives of most people in the Clacton area, is he, growstuff? 😆

He has had an enormous impact on the politics of this country, people can pretend otherwise if they want and am sure will be as surprised when the next Brexit type surprise comes down the line.

I just looked up Jaywick, which I knew nothing about. I expected it to be a town similar in size to Clacton, but it’s not, it’s less than one tenth as big, only 5000 people live there - so a large village size really.

A disaster for the tories because reform is going to split the right wing vote

I have written before I dont consider the tory party right wing anymore. Quite far from it actually.

Not convinced Reform are the Party to fill the gap, but we shall see.

But it only ever had 2 MPs, which made it insignificant in Parliament. And although it had a significant number of MEPs they achieved nothing in the European Parliament. It was all a bit performative but lacking in substance.

If Cameron hadn't been so lacksidaisical over the terms of the Referendum we'd still be in the EU. As it is at least two thirds of voters now think leaving was a mistake.

Clacton has a massive Conservative majority. Outside Jaywick and a couple of other pockets, it's a "typical" Conservative area - semi-rural, older demographic and low non-white population.

If I were a Conservative voter in Clacton, there's no way I would be tempted to vote for Farage (I'd continue voting Conservative). He would be far too concerned with his image nationally to bother being a decent constituency MP. The area doesn't have a high immigrant population, so what would Farage do to improve the life of most people in the area. I'd actually be quite insulted that he chose my area for one of his tricks to stay in the headlines.

A disaster for the tories because reform is going to split the right wing vote. This is not something that the tories have ever had happen to them before All it means is that it lets a progressive candidate in, either lib dem or labour

Oh but they have…remember UKIP?
In 2006, Farage officially became leader of UKIP and, under his direction, the party adopted a wider policy platform and capitalised on concerns about rising immigration, in particular among the white British working class. This resulted in significant breakthroughs at the 2013 local elections, 2014 European parliamentary elections, and 2015 general election
After the UK voted to leave the EU in the 2016 Brexit referendum, Farage stepped down as UKIP leader, later joining the Brexit Party.

Interesting that Sunak’s (reportedly) immediate response is to threaten to tack even further right, which will simply alienate any centrist/soft-right voters who have stuck with the Tories, and will split the ‘mad, swivel eyed loons’ as a Cameron ally described Tory activists, even more.

And, of course, risk destabilising the GFA.

He really is a very poor politician.

Urmstongran

Well if I’m disappointed I’ll take it on the chin MaizieD. But at least using my vote for Reform I’ll feel at rock bottom I tried for “no more of the same by the uniparty” as there’s not much blue sea between Tory and Labour these days. I really cannot vote for either in the hope for improvement going forward.

Completely agree. As Ann Widdicome says ‘if you want change you have to vote for it’.

There is 💯 percent racism in mainland Europe as well. It is a basis for many of the scary far right.

I don't even think that itv was Farage who got us out of the EU. It was Cameron's political ineptitude, Boris Johnson and that lying promise about the NHS on the side of a bus, and Cumming's use of Cambridge Analytica and targetted dark adverts' on social media.

Well if I’m disappointed I’ll take it on the chin MaizieD. But at least using my vote for Reform I’ll feel at rock bottom I tried for “no more of the same by the uniparty” as there’s not much blue sea between Tory and Labour these days. I really cannot vote for either in the hope for improvement going forward.

Urmstongran

John Curtice tonight: “ Farage’s return is a disaster for the Tories
This is the news Rishi Sunak had been dreading – and with good reason”

A disaster for the tories because reform is going to split the right wing vote. This is not something that the tories have ever had happen to them before. All it means is that it lets a progressive candidate in, either lib dem or labour.

If Farage manages to get himself elected (which is not a certainty, he will find that as a minority of one or perhaps, by a miracle, two reform party MPs in parliament he will have minimal voice or influence. He won't have a little claque of MPs behind him like he did when he was an MEP. His vote won't affect anything. He'll just be, at best, an irritant.

I suspect, Ug, once again you are doomed to disappointment...

Its neither good or bad news for labour as they will win comfortably. This is about what happens in a few years time. Its possible reform will be the opposition by then.

Urmstongran

Look at his past, he told the EU that he was going to get Britain out. They laughed at him. “Well you’re not laughing now” There is no doubt that it was Farage wot did it. He has great influence, and many voters like him.

I loved that moment, too.

Farage is taking part in the political debate this Friday with Angela Rayner and Penny Mordant. Should be interesting.

John Curtice tonight: “ Farage’s return is a disaster for the Tories
This is the news Rishi Sunak had been dreading – and with good reason”

turbo boost the vile rhetoric about the so called " small boats"

Its shameful really.