Farage, Reform, their plans, why bother?

I agree with everything you say Cossy.
Imho top of the political agenda with winter round the corner should be the cost of living crisis, followed closely by a stagnating property market and the inability of young people to get on the property ladder - the whole housing debacle, inflated prices for property, the clunky long winded way that houses are sold in England, as well as the recent hike in stamp duty, needs to be overhauled,
And in the name of all that is sacred ‘the NHS’!!!
Cutting waiting lists, and getting rid of corridor wards to start with.
That really is just the tip of the iceberg before we even touch illegal immigration

Fallingstar

I agree with everything you say Cossy.
Imho top of the political agenda with winter round the corner should be the cost of living crisis, followed closely by a stagnating property market and the inability of young people to get on the property ladder - the whole housing debacle, inflated prices for property, the clunky long winded way that houses are sold in England, as well as the recent hike in stamp duty, needs to be overhauled,
And in the name of all that is sacred ‘the NHS’!!!
Cutting waiting lists, and getting rid of corridor wards to start with.
That really is just the tip of the iceberg before we even touch illegal immigration

👍👍 👏👏👏

Despite the fact that Reform would be incapable of forming a government, it’s still worth examining their policies so that they can be torn to shreds.

Jenrick is predicted to lose his seat to the Tories as is Kruger who was trying to spin this latest benefits plan on the BBC this morning.

When there are far more PIP claimants in your constituency than the size of your Westminster majority, it’s a dangerous game to be playing.

Fraser Nelson summed it up rather neatly.

Reform voters are most likely to report a limiting health condition: they may be against welfare in general, but want it in person. And they may be first in line for the cuts.

He also said:

We need to remember that Robert Jenrick’s team are at war with Zia Yusuf’s team and they think of ways to outbid each other.

In other words, people with disabilities have to be made to suffer to satisfy the egos of two equally reprehensible warring men.

Cossy - "Please don’t tell me that the majority of those arriving here are fit and healthy young men in their thirties, then in the same breath claim they take up valuable places in schools, GP surgeries and hospitals"

However they do receive completely free dental treatment including dentures, bridges & crowns - all of which, even with a NHS dentist we have to pay for

Jenrick has just announced that the long term unemployed would be expected to work 20 hours a week "clean up high streets and parks......to staff libraries and community centres....."

This would be funded by local councils, who will have their funding cut if they don't participate. What happens to the poeple who are currently employed as street cleaners, park rangers, librarians and in community centres? Would their hours be cut to accommodate the unemployed?

I'm pretty sure these sorts of ideas have been touted before but have never been implemented by any government.

They have, MollyNew. It's known as workfare.

There's little evidence that workfare increases the likelihood of finding work. It can even reduce employment chances by limiting the time available for job searching and by failing to provide the skills and experience valued by employers.

Workfare is least effective in getting people into jobs in weak labour markets where unemployment is high.

Since Andy Burnham became P M I think Farage has gradually lost his mojo and I doubt he will get it back . Just hope Burnham does a good job, he has a few years to prove himself. I think his main danger now will be back with the Consevatives who now have a credible leader in Kemi Badenoch. However, the more people go on and on about Farage, the more he will attract people - just the way it is.People don’t like to be told how to think.

In Clacton constituency, numbers from April 2026 showed 10,442 people were receiving PIP and 24.2% were receiving out-of-work benefits.

For Boston & Skegness (Tice’s constituency), 10,548 receiving PIP and 21.6% receiving out-of work-benefits.

In Great Yarmouth (Lowe now Restore), 9968 receiving PIP and 23.4% receiving out-of work-benefits.

I don’t know what proportion of those receiving out-of-work benefits are classed as long term unemployed but, prima facie, that sounds like a lot of people to be found community work in what are coastal communities where there is very little paid work and much of that seasonal and poorly paid.

oops, this ended up in the wrong thread.

@Cossy "*But why?Why does he constantly seek attention? Why does he put forward frankly unrealistic, non-legal solutions to problems and issues that he and his party have blown out of all normal proportion.*"

Because Trump. It worked for Trump in America

Nigel is stupid enough to think it will work here; I don't think it will because of marked differences in our history, size and culture.

We're a very small island where the whole population shares some common services; national broadcasters, health and education , a long view of history; a much more flexible adaptable system of Government, and a political system that can easily and speedily dismiss leaders who lose favour.

Nigel thought the poorest most deprived corner of Britain was where he could get away with anything and nobody who mattered would notice or care. He thought his billionaire patron could buy his security from process, like Trump buys judges in USA.

But we have noticed and we do care , and in this country he won't get away with it .

Harborne can't buy Nigel out of this hole. But he may decide to bury him in it.

I’ve just been listening to Andrew Neil’s take on the announcements and why they are happening now, in an interview he did this morning with Times Radio. It’s worth hearing, regarding the Reform rationale for doing this now, and also what some of the flaws would be in implementation.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_y1phR2llI