Zia Yusuf

Or could it be that this country is slowly becoming ungovernable?
Both parties have discovered trying to govern Britain at present is like Sisyphus pushing his boulder uphill; ongoing strikes, demand for yet more pay rises, more welfare claimants and mass immigration, legal and illegal. Plus a poor work ethic following Covid.

Plus the sickening spectacle of an apparently middle-class (must be to afford the tickets) audience chanting Death to IDF.

growstuff

nanna8

Interesting the amount of support this new party seems to have. Could it be that it is a protest against the two useless other parties? Perhaps people are looking for someone, anyone who will listen to them and don’t care whether or not they are willing to spell out how they would make things better ( if it was a good idea the current shower would steal it anyway)

Using that logic, they might as well support Mr Blobby.

Mr Blobby hasn’t started an alternative political party unless I’ve missed something tho.
Nanna8 you’re dead right! That’s exactly why Reform are doing so well.

A lot are doing,though, according to The Times research. I wouldn’t underestimate those choosing the alternatives. Even Starmer doesn’t do that, he changes policies to try to win back his lost supporters. Which I actually think is sensible of him.

nanna8

Interesting the amount of support this new party seems to have. Could it be that it is a protest against the two useless other parties? Perhaps people are looking for someone, anyone who will listen to them and don’t care whether or not they are willing to spell out how they would make things better ( if it was a good idea the current shower would steal it anyway)

Using that logic, they might as well support Mr Blobby.

Interesting the amount of support this new party seems to have. Could it be that it is a protest against the two useless other parties? Perhaps people are looking for someone, anyone who will listen to them and don’t care whether or not they are willing to spell out how they would make things better ( if it was a good idea the current shower would steal it anyway)

Freya5

growstuff

Oreo

A new Chairman of Reform today, Dr David Bull ( I think that’s the name) .

Yes, that's the name. Like others (probably), I googled his name and recognised the face. He's not exactly "one of the people" - Ipswich Prep, Framlingham and Imperial and ex-Conservative and career in TV. Google says little about his political beliefs.

Anyone who is bright and capable can get into Imperial, the 2nd best in the world, first in Europe. They offer places to the brightest, wether from state or or not, they all have to go through the same processhas. Why all the inverted snobbery about a well educated politician.

I doubt if ability will get "anyone" into Ipswich Prep or Framlingham. I'm not being an inverted snob, but his background won't have given him much experience of "ordinary people".

He had his medical license restored during Covid and stepped in to help wherever he could.

He has since let it lapse.

growstuff

Oreo

A new Chairman of Reform today, Dr David Bull ( I think that’s the name) .

Yes, that's the name. Like others (probably), I googled his name and recognised the face. He's not exactly "one of the people" - Ipswich Prep, Framlingham and Imperial and ex-Conservative and career in TV. Google says little about his political beliefs.

Anyone who is bright and capable can get into Imperial, the 2nd best in the world, first in Europe. They offer places to the brightest, wether from state or or not, they all have to go through the same processhas. Why all the inverted snobbery about a well educated politician.

If Darren Jones is hounded because of this, it will be an absolute travesty.

As you say Maybe, he is one of the most decent, intelligent, hardworking, compassionate politicians this country has. We are lucky to have someone of his calibre working for the good of this country.

I’ve observed him in many interviews (because I rate him so highly) and he has always spoken with straightforward openness and integrity. He challenges things that deserve to be challenged; he holds people accountable for their actions (including himself); and he doesn’t suffer fools gladly.

On QT he should have said he was referring to the boat he saw; he’s made that clear. To call him a liar is despicable.

Compared to the shamble of sh** show, performative liars who have gaslighted this country for years (and continue to do so) Darren Jones has more decency and integrity in his little finger than they have in all their bodies combined.

And before anyone says “oo, you’re annoyed about this aren’t you” … yes I am!

DH tells me that the BBC have been inundated with complaints about the way they ask Reform for their opinion on everything ( eg Farage about the financial statement). And everyone is calling for Darren Jone’s ( probably as decent a politician as you’ll ever get…he worked tirelessly to help the postmasters) head after Question Time even though supposedly Yusuf told a blatant lie.

Silverbrooks

Quite why the BBC and other media keep inviting him onto panel discussions is a mystery to me other than that BBC has now openly admitted that it is pro Reform.

He isn’t a politican. He isn’t elected. He bought the chairmanship of Reform for £200,000. Now he has resigned that along with his directorship. He’s a nonentity with nothing to say other than to trot out the party line about migration.

Couldn’t agree more Silverbrooks.

BBC’s Question Time is becoming like the ‘Reform Show’. They give Reform more of a platform than any other minority party - which is what Reform is!

On last nights QT Fiona Bruce was even specifically asking for opinions from Reform voters in the audience, and she gave far too much time to Yusuf. She virtually ignored the Lib Dem MP, yet the Lib Dems have far more MPs in parliament than Reform.

What’s happened to balance and impartiality? I think it’s clear that the BBC has decided it’s backing Reform.

Shameful!

Quite why the BBC and other media keep inviting him onto panel discussions is a mystery to me other than that BBC has now openly admitted that it is pro Reform.

He isn’t a politican. He isn’t elected. He bought the chairmanship of Reform for £200,000. Now he has resigned that along with his directorship. He’s a nonentity with nothing to say other than to trot out the party line about migration.

Grantanow

I watched Yusuf on QT last night. In my opinion he avoided questions, went off at a tangent and was generally unimpressive as a serious politician. If viewers can't see that he evades questions about Reform policies and intentions then they need a refresher in critical thinking.

Agreed Grantanow.

He was unbelievably evasive about just HOW Reform might deliver all their populist promises.

It’s so easy to promise the moon on a stick - Reform’s default policy!

I watched Yusuf on QT last night. In my opinion he avoided questions, went off at a tangent and was generally unimpressive as a serious politician. If viewers can't see that he evades questions about Reform policies and intentions then they need a refresher in critical thinking.

He used to be on Watchdog, haven`t seen or heard of him for years.

Oh my, fab celeb, darling.

Oreo

A new Chairman of Reform today, Dr David Bull ( I think that’s the name) .

Yes, that's the name. Like others (probably), I googled his name and recognised the face. He's not exactly "one of the people" - Ipswich Prep, Framlingham and Imperial and ex-Conservative and career in TV. Google says little about his political beliefs.

Where do Reform supporters stand on " dinghy popping"
With or without people in said dinghies.

James McMurdoch MP "anyone with a camera and a pair of scissors fancy a trip to Calais for some Dinghy popping"

A new Chairman of Reform today, Dr David Bull ( I think that’s the name) .

As far as I know they are still a private company...not a political party.

Reform are a party ( are they one?) who emphasise difference. They like to fan the flames of fear in people.

Allira

Reorganisation inevitably costs money, even if the claim is thst it's in the interests of efficiency.

Often smaller town councils will have a majority of Independent Councillors whose interests are those of local people, rather than party politics.

That's my concern. The independent councillors are probably conservative (with a small 'c') but I can live with that.

Teazel If there are equal numbers of Labour and Conservative voters who post vile, racist comments, I certainly haven't seen many of them.

I don't personally know anybody who would even consider voting for Reform, so I really don't know what they believe. I can only go with what Farage & Co say and what their supporters say. I'm an outsider to Reform internal politics. I haven't a clue what they really believe because their published policies are incoherent.

Reorganisation inevitably costs money, even if the claim is thst it's in the interests of efficiency.

Often smaller town councils will have a majority of Independent Councillors whose interests are those of local people, rather than party politics.

Allira

Whitewavemark2

The Labour government is going to disband many of the county councils, and put unitary councils in their place.

Let’s hope that is before Reform cause too much damage and chaos.

Is that a good idea, will it work?
Will it be more cost-effective and/or could local services be impacted?

I think it's a totally cr*p idea, but I don't have any control over the reorganisation and who knows if I'm right?

The idea is that Essex County Council is too big and the district councils too small to be efficient. Effectively, we have three layers of government because we also have town or parish councils and there is some overlap. Essex County Council is being reorganised, so that everybody has just one council, but it will be bigger than the current district councils and have more control.

My district has had an independent council for two elections and I'm quite happy with that. I feel there is some local control. We're actually like a little island on the edge of Essex. We're being lumped together with two other district councils which have very different interests, so I think the local control will be lost.

I have no idea whether it will be more cost-effective. Initially, I expect reorganisation will cost money and there will be numerous hiccoughs as new structures are introduced. Undoubtedly, there will be redundancies and there will be a cost involved with severance packages. The independent group which currently runs our council will be in a minority. Currently, the rest are Conservative, but it wouldn't surprise me if Reform gains seats, so I'm not looking forward to it.