Nigel Farage has won

Even if Reform were to win an outright majority of 326 seats, Farage could never form a government. There are 150 ministerial positions to fill. He couldn’t even form a cabinet.

Current polling shows that Braverman, Jenrick, Kruger and Rosindell, the four Tory defectors, would all lose their seats. Pochin is predicted to lose hers too. She only won it by six votes.

That would leave Farage, Tice and Anderson, none of whom have ever held office in the UK, and 323 with no Parliamentary experience whatsoever unless people like Zahawi and Dorries were to stand and be re-elected.

The calibre of Reform councillors elected in 2025 and 2026 is extremely poor and has an unprecedented rate of attrition. Rarely a day goes by when one doesn’t fall by the wayside.

Farage would have to resort to bringing in unelected people to fill virtually every ministerial position and the democratic process would fail. Only elected MPs can speak in the House of Commons. Committee work, a vital part of Parliament would grind to a halt without decent calibre MPs to lead the processes.

Unless they were to win a much larger majority, they would struggle to get any primary legislation through the Commons. Even if they did it could easily be blocked in the Lords as there are no Reform peers. They could try to stuff the Lords with new peers but they would have to get that past HOLAC and ultimately the King.

Reform will only ever be a party of noise and no substance.

Hmm, Danny Kruger, FGT.. the Danny Kruger who says that women do not have the right to bodily autonomy..that Danny Kruger?

Is that because you realize how useless the others are, Fried?

And then it was suggested that BB should delete it.

And yet … someone who seems kind and sensible - Prue Leith’s son, Danny Kruger, leaves the Tories to join Farage. Someone with gravitas in Reform UK gives me hope for the future.

There is a prevailing belief that Farage, like Trump, is for the common people and stands up for their rights more than others, the phrases ‘he says it as it is’ or ‘isn’t afraid to speak out’ are often rolled out by supporters.
The thing is any party in opposition can say what they want and promise everyone jam everyday, Farage is no different. But if he did become PM there would be many who would seek to pull his strings and influence his policy making. So talk of using the Royal Navy to deal with small boats would soon be dead in the water - excuse the pun - due to defence funds needed elsewhere and others pointing out that no armed force is a vote grabber for political parties, they are there to serve the people during threats from the likes of Putin, so unless Putin dodges over on a dinghy I don’t think that idea will float. Nor will increased fracking, with wealthy landowners who live near areas he might see as rich for fracking soon putting paid to that idea as will anyone who lives nearby.
Farage is not a man of the people, nor is he anti establishment , he is a self serving man eager to line his own pockets, as we are now finding out, though I knew this already because the man has form. And he doesn’t speak for the people, he simply bigs up their prejudices and grievances producing catnip for the disenchanted.

Probably not penalty! No idea where that came from 🤣🤣

If someone reports a post as in breach of guidelines and its removed as in breach of guidelines what's the probelm.

I'm not sure why it keeps creeping onto posts when there have been deletions. Surely if someone who is disgruntled about the number of deleted posts its HQ that should be contacted if an explanation or clarification is required? Reporting is allowed and HQ decides if legitimate and merited and fi so deltas a post I assume. I also assume if HQ thinks there has been no breach there is no deletion.

I have never reported a post- and I have received some posts I perceive as plain nasty- but that's not to say I never would. Neither do I feel I need permission or approval if I choose to report.

Maremia

There may be a lot of deletions, and it can be annoying when you miss the comment, but there are a lot of GNs, and new ones all the time.

For some reason, I always miss the original posts that get deleted and I've no idea how this happens as I'm all over GN sometimes like the proverbial rash.

Occasionally though, a deleted comment will get re-quoted and missed by the mods, but that doesn't happen often and it is confusing when posters are responding to it but you don't know what's been said.

I always assume it's personal abuse, or a comment that could be breaking the Law in some way.

I amplified it but basically its all BB's fault ad her little Hitler copy cat

I’m centre left. I have voted both Labour and Lib Dem’s.

Currently I’m veering more to Labour, BUT if the Greens had a decent, experienced MP as their leader I’d penalty veer more towards them.

MaizieD

I’m very puzzled as to how a discussion of reporting has got into this thread?

🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Galaxy

Words change though as we are always being told, if I was called woke I would be deeply offended, I associate it with authoritarianism, deeply misogynistic beliefs ( men are women, sex work is work etc) I could go on.

That’s your prerogative.

The word or phrase actually (I believe) originates from the early 20th century within African/American culture.

AI

“The term "woke" originated in African-American English (AAE) in the first half of the 20th century. It meant being socially and politically aware, specifically alert to racial prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.“

Its origins can be tracked to people becoming aware or “awake” to the things above.

I’m really not understanding how anyone can find this in any way offensive?

I would also describe myself as centrist and have been a floating voter- but these assumptions persist.

I’m very puzzled as to how a discussion of reporting has got into this thread?

Agree Dickens 17.00. There is another prevailing assumption that any posters who criticise Farage's actions, statements or unclear, uncosted policy proposals, e.g Operation Fortress are "bleeding heart liberals".

Dickens

*LemonJam Fri 14-Aug-26 16:14:39*

I entirely agree that Farage is disliked for many reasons by centrist, right and left leaning parties and voters.

Unfortunately, there's an assumption that criticism of him comes solely from the Left. And it persists on here.

I would describe myself as in the centre. I have voted centre right and centre left, though usually centre left. I don’t think left wing politics exists in our political landscape unless it is in the centre. Is a long time since we had a truly left wing government. So I don’t know who all these lefties are who people keep taking about, and I very much dislike Farage but am not a leftie. Whatever that is.

fancythat

Considering people go around on this site saying "we will not report a poster", or "I wont report", well someone clearly does, as there are a lot of deletions. Daily.

I, personally, would never report a post unless it was a personal vile insult directed towards myself, or any other Gransnetter on here.

Personal insults are unecessary and rude and hurtful and we are all intelligent and knowledgable enough to debate and disagree with respect.

We are all entitled to hold different views to each other and to express them here.

The only time it truly frustrates me is when people present their opinion as a fact.

Facts are easily verified and often have credible evidence.

I'm not holding my breath that any poster is able to set out how Farage has actually served his constituency or the country well 🤷‍♀️

Farage "says how it is" and 'what everyone is thinking'- really ? He has not actually said how it is with France that responded to his Operation Fortress proposal a firm NO. Farage has not responded to what is everyone actually thinking- ie how will Operation Forest actually work in practice. He has not said what so many are thinking- ie is Reform planning to breach international maritime law? Is it planning to breach the 1951 Refugee Convention law? I wish he would actually address and respond to what so many are actually thinking instead of avoiding press scrutiny and questions of late!

Well if Farage says how it is and what everyone's thinking how does that explain why Reform UK only won 5 contested constituencies of the well over 600 constituencies it contested at the last General Election and retuned only 5 MPs to Westminster? The voters clearly preferred what other prospective MPs were saying in abundance.

Words change though as we are always being told, if I was called woke I would be deeply offended, I associate it with authoritarianism, deeply misogynistic beliefs ( men are women, sex work is work etc) I could go on.

LemonJam Fri 14-Aug-26 16:14:39

I entirely agree that Farage is disliked for many reasons by centrist, right and left leaning parties and voters.

Unfortunately, there's an assumption that criticism of him comes solely from the Left. And it persists on here.

Maremia

Just looked up the meaning of 'woke'.
Google says 'woke' means being aware of unfairness, discrimination and injustice in society.

Yes, that is precisely what it means, which is what makes it even the more ironic that to some “a woke leftie” is an insult.

LemonJam

I have never seen an action from Farage that has served his constituents or the country well.

Feel free to correct me anyone if I am wrong and not aware of anything.

Please don’t hold your breath.

I’m still waiting for someone, anyone, to explain in detail what is so appealing about Farage, Lowe and their parties,

Other than the easily disputed comment that Farage “says it how it is” and “says what everyone is thinking”

I’ll be honest, I don’t know what these two sentences even mean

Just looked up the meaning of 'woke'.
Google says 'woke' means being aware of unfairness, discrimination and injustice in society.

I'm also in agreement that Reform and Restore between them add zero balance in Parliament.