Is democracy being by-passed in favour of the billionaires?

Whitewavemark2

If you want to know what Reform’s policies will be, look no further than the interests of wealthy individuals and associate companies.

So of course tax cutting for large companies.

Reduced employee rights - and of course the killing of EHCR.

Extended use of the private sector in the NHS - eventually leading according to Farage to an insurance based health provision, modelled on the US health provision.

Cuts in public services - along the DOGE model.

Interestingly for those who are looking for a reduction in immigration, Farage has had very little to say about it over recent months. This may be because births in the U.K. is no longer keeping up with deaths and therefore will mean a labour shortage which can only be filled by immigration.

With regard to foreign policy - the uks governments eyes will be turned to the USA - although by 2028 the fascist Trump may well have gone and replaced by a democratic presidency, which will certainly not be in sympathy with Reform.

Expect any closer ties with Europe, on defence, trade etc to be trashed.

I’ve felt for a long time that the constant attacks on Keir Starmer are because he has worked for years to rebuild our relationship with Europe. And that the very people that were behind Brexit are the ones trying to destroy the Labour Party now ( although they are, sadly, making it easy for them).

Yes, the Labour Party is making it easy, but Reform wouldn't be gaining such momentum, if the Conservative Party hadn't collapsed.

petra

dayvidg

I find it telling that the two worst countries for 'political interference' appear to be the UK and the US. Both bogged down in the old left versus right ideology. Please can we have a more realistic system of government, where voting actually means something, and politicians make decisions based on the good of the country, rather than the party and their paymasters.

Once upon a time that’s what our leaders ( rightly or wrongly) would do but now we are part of a global economy.
Different world.

I don't think I understand the link between a global economy and the lack of values in politicians. The UK has been part of (in fact, it was the leader of) a global economy for hundreds of years. That's why we had an empire. Please could you explain.

twaddle

fancythat

That is what I have yet to be convinced about.

On this thread or another one, I think it was the poster foxie who I suggested started a new thread about her post.
Which may have been along the same lines?

I may have agreed with it, or some of it.
But she didnt start a new thread.

Sorry! I don't think I'm understanding you, fancythat. What do you need to be convinced about?

That Farage and Co dont represent the powerless.
You may well turn out to be right, but I am not convinced currently.

fancythat

twaddle

fancythat

That is what I have yet to be convinced about.

On this thread or another one, I think it was the poster foxie who I suggested started a new thread about her post.
Which may have been along the same lines?

I may have agreed with it, or some of it.
But she didnt start a new thread.

Sorry! I don't think I'm understanding you, fancythat. What do you need to be convinced about?

That Farage and Co dont represent the powerless.
You may well turn out to be right, but I am not convinced currently.

What has Farage done to help the powerless by his representations?

fancythat

twaddle

fancythat

That is what I have yet to be convinced about.

On this thread or another one, I think it was the poster foxie who I suggested started a new thread about her post.
Which may have been along the same lines?

I may have agreed with it, or some of it.
But she didnt start a new thread.

Sorry! I don't think I'm understanding you, fancythat. What do you need to be convinced about?

That Farage and Co dont represent the powerless.
You may well turn out to be right, but I am not convinced currently.

What proof do you require? So far, he's done nothing. Not only that, but he doesn't even have any plans to do anything.

MaizieD

fancythat

twaddle

fancythat

That is what I have yet to be convinced about.

On this thread or another one, I think it was the poster foxie who I suggested started a new thread about her post.
Which may have been along the same lines?

I may have agreed with it, or some of it.
But she didnt start a new thread.

Sorry! I don't think I'm understanding you, fancythat. What do you need to be convinced about?

That Farage and Co dont represent the powerless.
You may well turn out to be right, but I am not convinced currently.

What has Farage done to help the powerless by his representations?

Well quite.
It hasnt been proved one way or the other yet.

Not exactly true, fancythat. Farage was supposed to negotiate for our fishermen, during BREXIT discussions. He rarely attended.
He did not turn up for the 'day job'. They were severely let down. Did not get the terms they needed, as he wasn't there to advocate for them.
It is on record, along with their disappointment with his performance.

Farage never attended a surgery for the people of Clacton to hear their concerns. That's how much he cares.

Why dont Clacton complain?
And keep voting for him?

You would have to address that question to the people of Clacton.

Googled it.

Says it is because of security concerns.
Which may be fair enough?

Presumably he sorts out Clacton concerns by other methods.

And because they keep voting for him, presumably they are happy enough with what they re getting from him.

I was listening to a podcast this morning describing how Trump “won” some local elections recently. There is no point going into the detail as it isn’t important, what is important, is, that Trump “won” because he pumped in a massive amount of money and in effect bought the votes.

The U.K. must never go down that road.

The new proposed bill, restricting cryptocurrency 'donations' might help.
Also, I hope it deals with 'foreign interests' donations.

Farrige chose Clacton because a lot of people there can be fooled by his and reform's immigration rantings. People in Clacton are mainly from the east end who have gradually moved along the c2c railway line (and further) to "get away from immigrants".
They then moan because there is no one around for healthcare, social services etc.
Well now Essex has these reform councillors who have promised to stop the boats (and ignore the bins and potholes and can't do social services as no staff which the local elections are about) life will be idyllic

Does anyone seriously think that Labour aren't funded the same way? Come on! Everyone is jumping on Reform now as being the Big Nasties, but if/when they get into power they will control the media same as other parties have done, when they've been in power, and you'll hear all about Labour's wickedness. I'll say this for Reform at the moment - they are listening to what the 'working class' want, in certain respects (Labour were supposed to be the party for that). However, once in power, I'm not that hopeful!

undines

Does anyone seriously think that Labour aren't funded the same way? Come on! Everyone is jumping on Reform now as being the Big Nasties, but if/when they get into power they will control the media same as other parties have done, when they've been in power, and you'll hear all about Labour's wickedness. I'll say this for Reform at the moment - they are listening to what the 'working class' want, in certain respects (Labour were supposed to be the party for that). However, once in power, I'm not that hopeful!

No- no one seriously believes the Labour Party is funded in the same way as Reform Ltd UK.

The Labour Party has an entirely different financial structure to that of Reform UK Ltd.

seventhfloorregular

Farrige chose Clacton because a lot of people there can be fooled by his and reform's immigration rantings. People in Clacton are mainly from the east end who have gradually moved along the c2c railway line (and further) to "get away from immigrants".
They then moan because there is no one around for healthcare, social services etc.
Well now Essex has these reform councillors who have promised to stop the boats (and ignore the bins and potholes and can't do social services as no staff which the local elections are about) life will be idyllic

The C2C line does not go anywhere near Clacton, it goes from the City of London to the City of Southend-on-Sea.

Clapton is predominantly a holiday destination made up of numerous caravan sights.

There are areas of abject poverty (Jaywick) but also areas of wealth further away from the coast.

Oh and it’s Farage, not Farrige.

I am neither a Nigel fan girl or Reform UK supporter.

.

Hasn't it been 'going down that road' on and off for the (c) 100-years that the Unions have been financing the Labour Party?!
.

Yes looking at the voting pattern of the recent local elections, it is the poorest, less well educated and over 65s and most deprived areas that voted for Reform.

That should tell the other political parties something.

Whitewavemark2

Have you been equally incensed at the Labour Party being financed by the Unions for the past (c) 100-years?
Or is your annoyance and venom only directed at the Reform Party?!
.

Barbadosbelle

Whitewavemark2

Have you been equally incensed at the Labour Party being financed by the Unions for the past (c) 100-years?
Or is your annoyance and venom only directed at the Reform Party?!
.

Well, I think if you had read this thread, you would have had no need to ask this question.

Clacton itself might be predominantly a holiday destination, but the constituency includes areas such as Frinton and Walton on the Naze. Notoriously, it also includes Jaywick, which is the most deprived district in the country.

The population is older than average and predominantly white British. The level of economic inactivity is twice the national average. It's true that many of the residents have moved from areas nearer London with more immigrants. Essex CC uses it as a dumping ground for problem families because housing is much cheaper than most other areas of Essex.

The polling organisation Electoral Calculus categorises the seat as being part of the "Strong Right" demographic, those who have fiscally conservative views on the economy but are also fairly nationalist and socially conservative, alongside strong support for Brexit.

Whitewavemark2

Yes looking at the voting pattern of the recent local elections, it is the poorest, less well educated and over 65s and most deprived areas that voted for Reform.

That should tell the other political parties something.

My ward voted for a Reform County Councillor, we are a commuter belt village (not big enough to be a town) high property prices, lots of young families.

Definitely not deprived, old or less educated.

We were all flabbergasted at the result as our local council is fully independent.