Why do so many people support Reform, and Tommy Robinson

Most Reform voters don't support Tommy Robinson - they are two different things

orly

Most Reform voters don't support Tommy Robinson - they are two different things

No they’re not .

I'm sure Putin will be rubbing his hands in glee at the thought of Farage spreading dissension . The more the better as far as he is concerned.

I’d be wary of getting my information from that source, I’m no fan of his, however I can see that the present Labour mob came to power on a mandate that they have ignored now in government, the 22 billion black hole has proven to be a lie as have so many other statements. TR appeals to millions as does Farage because of the weakness of this government on the issues that concern so many of us.

GrannyGravy13

Maremia

I do hope your take is correct GG13, on the interviews you have watched, but it won't help if we become complacent.

I also hope that I am correct.

I have been posted on here numerous times over recent years, that the last Government were complacent in not listening to voters concerns.

Labour appears to be following the same path, totally incapable of reading the room I wish the PM had a better comms team along with a reassuring plan, one which he will carry through.

They seem to be doing little for those most in need, too frightened to go after the big boys regarding tax.

The next hurdle after listening to Martin Lewis this morning is the likelihood that those on the higher state pension will be above the personal tax allowance next year due to how the triple lock works. I suspect this will not be favourable?

This is why I personally think that Saturdays march, and any subsequent ones are a protest against the major parties as opposed to an allegiance to Tommy Robinson/Stephen Yaxley-Lennon or whatever he is calling himself at any given moment in time.

GG13 75% of pensioners already pay income tax because their total income is above the threshold. Why do you think next year will be any different?

growstuff those on the new state pension, and no other income will be liable to tax after the April 2026 increase according to Martin Lewis.

I am aware that many pensioners already pay tax, those with private pensions, dividends, interest on deposits etc.

M0nica

The reason so many people are supporting Tommy Robinson and Reform, are the same, no matter on what thread this issue arises.

People like Robinson and Farage gain followers only when there is a level of disatisfaction among the governed masses (and that includes us) for them to be alienated from the political system and political establishment and to be looking esewhere for others to represent them. That is when the likes of Robinson and Farage with their simplistic solutions to difficult problems appeal to people who feel disenfranchised and feel that the only way they can make their concerns heard is by coming out on the streets.

This alienation can be seen in election turnouts. Between 1945 and 1992 election turnout was between 70-80%. Since then, although it has risen and fallen it has never got above 70% and 2024 fell to a post war low of 60%. We are in a situation now where nearly half of the those enttled to vote can see no point in it, they feel disenfranchised and unheard and the only way they think they can be heard is by rioting in thestreets.

They are faced by a political class who have few points of contact or shared interest with ordinary people, who actually, in many cases hold ordinary people in contempt and ignore what they would consider their biassed and bigoted opinions.

This is the situation that sits at the base of all revolutions from the French Revolution, to that that destroyed the Soviet Union .
Be warned and beware.

This is how every revolution starts. With the disenfranchised rioting.

Absolutely excellent post MOnics
Covered all the salient points

Besides Brexit my now deceased genuine local Councillor I haven't voted for any of them for over 40 years.

They are just out for themselves and to serve their Elite friends. It is as simple as that.

There is no way that I shall vote for Reform in the next election. Farage is the most unsuitable person to become prime minister.
It doesn’t matter much if every Conservative mp or ex mp goes over to Reform. The cull in the Conservative Party may well result in a fresh start as more candidates will emerge 4 years down the line hopefully with new ambitions.

ronib

There is no way that I shall vote for Reform in the next election. Farage is the most unsuitable person to become prime minister.
It doesn’t matter much if every Conservative mp or ex mp goes over to Reform. The cull in the Conservative Party may well result in a fresh start as more candidates will emerge 4 years down the line hopefully with new ambitions.

That would be great, we need strong, sensible, reliable MPs in all parties.

GrannyGravy13

growstuff those on the new state pension, and no other income will be liable to tax after the April 2026 increase according to Martin Lewis.

I am aware that many pensioners already pay tax, those with private pensions, dividends, interest on deposits etc.

Fiscal drag unless they increase the personal allowances

The movement of Tory mps to Reform is a massive mistake for Reform, so for those who don't want them to succeed I would cheer that on.
They think they have a possibility of winning ( and they do) but that is a dangerous time for a party.

Well, it's a combination of things, Labour looking as inept as most of us with knowledge of Starmer had feared, the Tories carrying on from the antics of Liz 'Bonkers' Truss to commit further political suicide, and Farrago getting a lot of coverage thx to his PR machine.

The British public has shown for years that it's not that invested in politics, or politicians, look at any quiz show when a politician question comes up, the ignorance is staggering. We just want to roll along, economy doing OK, no probs with jobs, and whoever is is power can rest in the glow of happy apathy they will get.

Yaxley-Lennon is just a thug, who has seized on a way to get the supremely gullible to give him an easy living, and though Farrago isn't a thug, he's found that bandwagon to pay lots of lovely dosh into his company (Reform).

He's a very similar bully, and con-man as his hero Chump -- the Donald cannot stand tough questions from the Press, and neither can Nige . . .see his reaction when queried about his, sorry, his lady friend's supposed purchase of a big house near Clacton?! That man-in-the-pub grin disappeared in record time!

It's an old saying that we get the politicos we deserve . . .

I think the march organised by TR was a vehicle for ordinary everyday folk to jump on to to express their concerns for a variety of issues including illegal imigration. There will always be persons who support the far left but I think what some people were saying is they are not against immigration just illegal immigration, the costs and the lack of process. We have people on our streets sleeping rough who are not entitled to accommodation food /support but we have illegals entering the country who automatically receive it. They have no passports/ documentation there are no background checks etc. our country need people from all walks of life but there has to be a process Ordinary people feel their voices are not being heard so they see strength in organisations they would not normally associate with
I don’t have the answer but I hope for the sake of our grandchildren that a solution can be found soon.

I wonder if it became a duty to vote, as it is in some countries, if that would energise people into paying more attention to politics?

I think you’re absolutely right Jayceee

Jayceee spot on 👍🏻

Utterly ridiculous to imagine Yaxley-Lennon and Farage will stop illegal immigration any more successfully than the previous government who had 14 years to do it? How on earth does anybody imagine those slogan shouting flag wavers will do that in a balanced legal way? Most of their supporters cannot even distinguish between a legal and an illegal migrant and for many an ‘immigrant’ is just anybody who isn’t white! The toxic words are just divisive and dangerous and carry no solid costed policies or plans!

GrannyGravy13

growstuff those on the new state pension, and no other income will be liable to tax after the April 2026 increase according to Martin Lewis.

I am aware that many pensioners already pay tax, those with private pensions, dividends, interest on deposits etc.

I know. Most of them are already paying tax. Why make a fuss about it now?

It would make sense from a political point of view to raise the tax threshold to the same level as the new pension level. The savings from not doing so aren't worth the political fallout.

Morally, I'm not so sure.

Anyway, pensions are a distraction. Yaxley-Lennon and Farage are all about cutting state support. Not only would people die prematurely from an underfunded NHS, but they would have their pension age safety nets cut anyway.

People listened to Hitler when he blamed the ethnic minorities and migrants, didn't they?

Let's face it, we have a world depression, and in the UK, we are reaping the results of paying dividends instead of investing "profits", spent billions propping up poorer EU countries, and are still doing so, decimating our agriculture while subsidising the likes of France and Greece (I saw fruit rotting on the ground while we paid farmers to leave it there). We bought subsidised French apples, while our local orchards went bust, we bought in French milk, while the EU limited our quotas. We bought cheap subsidised Polish coal, while nearby mines were closed (what WAS the economics of paying out all those redundancies/ benefits to out of work miners). China and Netherlands subsidised their steel industries while we underinvested and reduced ours (paying dole to redundant steelworkers).
Now we are blaming a few poor migrants, who still see this as a better place to live than Italy and France, and the likes of Farage are whipping up our dissatisfaction into racist abuse.

Many of the problems lie with society's change and expectation over the past few decades. I can't say anymore but the problem is so much deeper and wider than just a government level. Also, I can't ever see Farage as PM. He always seems to pop up where he can curry favour where the curry is the hotest. He is a surface skater.

From my experience as a foodbank volunteer, Jaycee, it is not simply that people are refused help, support, and accommodation.
Many of our homeless population ( not all, of course) have issues with their mental health, addiction to drugs or alcohol, or are persistent offenders.
Some do respond to help, others are unable to care for any home they are given, and may not use any money they receive wisely.
One of our clients is a gambler. His fortnightly benefit is spent in the first day or two at the betting shop.
Immigration is not the problem for these folk.

Many of the problems lie with society's change and expectation over the past few decades. I can't say anymore but the problem is so much deeper and wider than just a government level.

I wish you would say more.
I dont really know what you are hinting at.

GoodAfternoonTea

Many of the problems lie with society's change and expectation over the past few decades. I can't say anymore but the problem is so much deeper and wider than just a government level. Also, I can't ever see Farage as PM. He always seems to pop up where he can curry favour where the curry is the hotest. He is a surface skater.

Yes- the government are a bit of a scapegoat here because who else is there to complain to and about ? Unfortunately it seems the current government is very weak and indecisive but I doubt Reform would be much better - but people are putting their hope in them.

StoneofDestiny

Utterly ridiculous to imagine Yaxley-Lennon and Farage will stop illegal immigration any more successfully than the previous government who had 14 years to do it? How on earth does anybody imagine those slogan shouting flag wavers will do that in a balanced legal way? Most of their supporters cannot even distinguish between a legal and an illegal migrant and for many an ‘immigrant’ is just anybody who isn’t white! The toxic words are just divisive and dangerous and carry no solid costed policies or plans!

Well said 👏👏