How did you vote and why today

foxie48

"another Reform voter here and I’m thrilled with their success in these elections and refuse to be ‘shamed’ by my decision (as many on here try to do)"

HappyGardener I can honestly say I've never felt anyone has tried to "shame me" because of the decisions I've made or the opinions I hold. They might disagree, hold a different opinion or not understand why I've decided something, but "shame" has never come into it and tbh I've never tried to "shame" someone because they hold a different opinion to me. I just say what I think and if they feel ashamed then that is their problem not my motive.

I'm not a Reform voter and never will be but HappyGardener
is correct.

Those on this forum supporting Reform have been ridiculed and shamed.

Even if someone is mistakenly thought to be an extreme rightwing voter because they try to analyse objectively why Reform has gained in popularity is subjected to a tirade of abuse.
It happens, unfortunately.

I will say that these results are disappointing if they are a reaction to the Labour Government because I still think Starmer is the best person to lead us during these difficult times. However, these are local elections and hopefully will not have such an impact on international politics.

Local election voting patterns are no usually replicated in national elections Reform fully expected to win the recent local Gorton and Denton bye election with what they thought was a strong contended, Matt Goodwin. They didn't.

They will have to put 650 candidates up to stand as MPs in a GE.

Those on this forum supporting Reform have been ridiculed and shamed

No they haven't at all. The mods would deal with both of those things.

sixandahalf

*Those on this forum supporting Reform have been ridiculed and shamed*

No they haven't at all. The mods would deal with both of those things.

As a relatively new poster, you know this?

I've certainly seen some pretty scathing remarks, low iq, less educated, etc.
That's why a lot of people don't enter politics discussions.

They can get rather unpleasant.

It is on every thread sixandahalf, every single one. It is part of the reason for reforms success. I don't mean GN, I mean the general contempt for those who have been saying for a decade how they feel.

sixandahalf

*Those on this forum supporting Reform have been ridiculed and shamed*

No they haven't at all. The mods would deal with both of those things.

I think some people do have thin skins though, and don’t want debate about the points they make. We all get challenged all the time on the news and politics forum, and you have to be prepared for that and willing to fight your corner, so I guess there is a risk of upsetting or offending the less robust.

I just assumed the site was moderated and any shaming or ridicule would be fairly swiftly dealt with.

Maybe not.

Casdon

sixandahalf

Those on this forum supporting Reform have been ridiculed and shamed

No they haven't at all. The mods would deal with both of those things.

I think some people do have thin skins though, and don’t want debate about the points they make. We all get challenged all the time on the news and politics forum, and you have to be prepared for that and willing to fight your corner, so I guess there is a risk of upsetting or offending the less robust.

Well, I do think posts questioning someone's sanity because they supported Farage is rather more offensive than questioning their politics.
It was quite disgusting.

sixandahalf

I just assumed the site was moderated and any shaming or ridicule would be fairly swiftly dealt with.

Maybe not.

Oh, perhaps posters think some of those posts were best left in situ as it says much about the posters.

Wyllow3

Can people please after all this time spell Starmer's name correctly ie Keir not Kier?

Sorry! Didnt know.
But I normally do call him Sir Keir.

The turnout was low where I live, only a few hundred bothered to vote. I went into the polling station dressed in red, white and blue which might give a clue as to who I voted for.
I hope Starmer realises that he cannot continue treating the people of this country with contempt. All he's concerned about is getting every penny he can out of us and re-joining the EU.

i before e except after K

😁

Allira

Casdon

sixandahalf

Those on this forum supporting Reform have been ridiculed and shamed

No they haven't at all. The mods would deal with both of those things.

I think some people do have thin skins though, and don’t want debate about the points they make. We all get challenged all the time on the news and politics forum, and you have to be prepared for that and willing to fight your corner, so I guess there is a risk of upsetting or offending the less robust.

Well, I do think posts questioning someone's sanity because they supported Farage is rather more offensive than questioning their politics.
It was quite disgusting.

I missed that, but I can honestly say I’ve been called some bad things on here too, and if somebody said that to me I’d just respond directly to the point made, I wouldn’t report it. I’ve got a tough skin, I don’t brood about it, but I know some people do take being questioned or insulted personally. Online forums discussing politics aren’t a healthy place for the sensitive, whatever they’re views in my opinion.

Their not they’re, it auto corrected me.

Online forums discussing politics aren’t a healthy place for the sensitive, whatever they’re views in my opinion.

You're so right, Casdon!

Anyway, I didn't vote for Plaid or Reform.
So I got nowhere 😁

They will have to put 650 candidates up to stand as MPs in a GE.

It’s why Reform would not be able to function in Westminster. I explained why in more detail on the recent thread about Reform saying they will build detention centres in Green constituencies - (a threat which is illegal under the Representation of the People Act 1983).

www.gransnet.com/forums/news_and_politics/1358027-Reform-UK-has-announced-its-plan-to-host-migrant-detention-facilities-in-constituencies-that-have-voted-for-Green-representation?pg=3

A new government has to hit the ground running. Reform simply wouldn’t be able to do that with no ministerial experience whatsoever and nobody with experience to do the everyday work of Parliament. (Only Braverman and Jenrick have experience and on current polling are predicted to lose their seats along with Kruger.)

These local elections are Farage’s swan song and why he fought for those elections that had been postponed to happen, to do as much damage as possible at local level before he gathers the millions of pounds he has grifted (including the £2 million in side hustles he has made since July 2024 plus the £5 million pre-election bung from Harborne) and disappears to the far-right talk circuit.

He knows full well that the councils Reform took control of last May have been a disaster. 10% of Reform councillors elected a year ago have gone for one reason or another. Many have joined Restore.

www.markpack.org.uk/175342/how-many-councillors-has-reform-uk-lost-since-may/

People are already making bets on who will be the first newly-elected Reform councillor to go.

Farage is even on record saying he wished Reform hadn’t taken control of Worcestershire County Council as it’s too hard.

Meanwhile Restore prevented Reform getting an overall majority in Norfolk. I’m glad I don’t live there.
www.lgcplus.com/politics/reform-misses-out-on-majority-in-norfolk-08-05-2026/

Galaxy

Well yes if labour becomes a party of the middle class, then the working class will look elsewhere. This may actually be Blairs fault.

👍🏻

MissAdventure

I've certainly seen some pretty scathing remarks, low iq, less educated, etc.
That's why a lot of people don't enter politics discussions.

They can get rather unpleasant.

Yep 👍🏻

Oh the irony.

I'm joining the Beeb celebrations for David Attenborough tonight.

He believes in everything that Reform doesn't.

(Including, btw, supporting Womens Reproductive Rights. Think the candidate Lois McLatchie Miller, who opposes abortion in all circumstances. Fortunately Labour defeated her in Maida Vale)

But to the people in Scotswood what Attenborough or Esther Rantzen think is completely irrelevant.

I didn't have the vote this time but previously I voted Reform and will do again,why? , because it's my choice and I abhor the racist slur.

Galaxy

But to the people in Scotswood what Attenborough or Esther Rantzen think is completely irrelevant.

Sorry, I don’t know where Scotswood is, is it representative of a typical borough, town, or whatever?

Reform in the hope that they sort out
things people actually care about I feel like they might actually try to find out what matters to people