Ben Habib has left Reform Party Ltd.

By buying existing databases from credit companies Reform would be able to build a demographic map of the UK. They could then commission polls to build up a picture of what issues matter most to people from different demographics, and then cross reference the two in order to work out that people living in area X care most about issue Y

The next stage would be to test out dozens of different messages on target audiences to find out which ones hit home most effectively. Advertising and messaging can then be directed very specifically to appeal to the right audience in the right area.“

this is exactly what Cambridge Analytica did during the Brexit referendum. I don;t know who wrote this article for the rapidly losing its credibility Telegraph, but I don't see much condemnation or even concern about this potential manipulation of the electorate.

Crumbs, sounds like the Second coming of a Messiah!

He's not respectful as an MP at all! He gives virtually no time to his constituents spending it swanning abroad and picking up nice amounts like £40.000 from a speech to the very rich promoting tax havens and dodges at NOMAD. where is the space of care for Jaywick?

Influence by having friends in high places abroad might seem good to you, but to me it seems like the old boy network writ large, dangerous, and something I'd hoped we'd leave behind.

These are the current rules.
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-facts/when-is-a-political-donation-permissible/
The government is already proposing further changes to prevent interference by foreign nationals in UK elections. Let’s hope that happens very quickly, because whatever your politics you must surely agree that it’s wrong for other countries to be involved in any way in the democratic processes of the UK.

Sadly, as we have seen on a previous thread suggesting that everyone of the 2.5 million people who signed a petition calling for another General Election, rumours, myths and sheer lies will not only be believed, but will be spread. So yes, I am concerned about what Musk's influence can do.

Possibly I’m naive Casdon but don’t the unions bankroll Labour? Vested interests and Starmer straight away rewards the union backed public services. (Not that I’m against that per se you understand). Just following the money. Reform came second in 98 constituencies. There’s already a huge amount of support out there for them, FPTP distorts it if support is evenly spread rather in deep pockets, as with the Lib Dems.

Casdon is talking about influence by foreign nationals and governments FGT

" Let’s hope that happens very quickly, because whatever your politics you must surely agree that it’s wrong for other countries to be involved in any way in the democratic processes of the UK.
👏👏

The debate about FPTP however is a valid one but different from banning foreign nationals like Musk funding our own politics.

I cannot under any circumstances see, as a Brexiteer and all the "sovereignty' that goes with it, why you support or condone this interference?

I cannot under any circumstances see, as a Brexiteer and all the "sovereignty' that goes with it, why you support or condone this interference?
Precisely, not exactly taking back control is it?

I cannot under any circumstances see, as a Brexiteer and all the "sovereignty' that goes with it, why you support or condone this interference?

I think I can Wyllow. It’s the means to an end. Providing its legal of course, why not?

Loss of 'sovereignty' is a 'means to an end'?

Selling your soul for a handful of gold...

I think FGT is winding people up here.

Just lets say jump the philosophical "means and ends"debate

and 👏 the sooner the better with legislation as regards foreign interference with our political system Casdon.

Well, if Elon Musk hates Kier Starmer, that's just lifted Mr Starmer's standing in my eyes.
Any friend of Mr Musk is no friend of mine.
Reform doesn't really have too many thought- through- and- costed- policies, as far as I could see when I read their manifesto prior to the election.
Maybe they don't need any?

Chocolatelovinggran

Well, if Elon Musk hates Kier Starmer, that's just lifted Mr Starmer's standing in my eyes.
Any friend of Mr Musk is no friend of mine.
Reform doesn't really have too many thought- through- and- costed- policies, as far as I could see when I read their manifesto prior to the election.
Maybe they don't need any?

As far as I can tell, other than stopping immigration in its tracks and increasing the personal allowance tax levels, they have no policies.

Cossy well Reform has a huge way to go- it’s not even a party. I think Ben Habib made the right move when he stepped away. Doesn’t matter much if Reform lacks policies, there’s no way they might be enacted at the moment.

I dont think Reform has any viable policies on irregular migrants either. They still rely, as far as I can see, on a "pushback" policy.

They question the UN International Maritime Law agreement as rendering pushback illegal. Ie, does "pushback" allow for turning boats around at sea into French territorial waters.

Reform say it doesn't break Maritime Law to do this at sea.

*However, even if they somehow pushed this through by using the Navy or coastguards (safely without capsizing boats)

what they don't answer is that one country actually landing people onto French soil without permission internationally is illegal.

Yet this is what people are taken in by.