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Inside the Reform Party

(10 Posts)
MaizieD Wed 17-Jun-26 12:14:29

Interesting reading from a tory defector to Reform who now wants to return to the tories. Published on 'conservative home'. which is free to read,

Discussing the factionalism within Reform

Reform are like one big HMO – they don’t like each other and are united by grievance alone.

Whilst speaking to grievance is a part of politics, good governance depends on those willing to serve in the public interest to fix the problems, not just spin them.

The infighting in Reform is toxic and make past Tory spats look like playground arguments.

He identifies the factions, then continues:

Another issue I had come up over again was how unprofessional the party is. They are not concerned about their own policy; it is here today gone tomorrow. They rewrite their own party rules quarterly to reflect the latest factional battles. The changes serve as a sort of historiography of who’s up and who’s down.

conservativehome.com/2026/06/17/robbie-lammas-i-made-a-mistake-defecting-to-reform-they-are-not-a-serious-party/

There was another article by a disaffected Reform group deputy leader flagged up here, but I don't have a subscription to the media which published it. He apparently described the party as 'toxic'

bsky.app/profile/fascinatorfun.bsky.social/post/3modafcv5ic2j

This really isn't a party to seriously consider for government, is it?

fancythat Wed 17-Jun-26 12:24:15

But the problem is, many are now fed up of the two previous main parties.

It may not be the answer, but what is?
That is how many now feel.

Casdon Wed 17-Jun-26 12:26:23

It’s going to leave the Tories with a real dilemma if those who have defected to Reform decide it isn’t for them, and want to return to the Tory fold. There are rumours about Danny Kruger wanting to go back too - but once somebody has been disloyal I can’t see them being welcomed back with open arms. Particularly people who were disrupters.

fancythat Wed 17-Jun-26 12:27:00

Personally, I am not Lib Dem, though have voted for them previously.
I have never voted Green and dont think I will in the near future.
I vote independent sometimes.
I dont think I am Restore.

A lot of people say "!you have to vote".
Personally I dont subscribe to that really. But for me, I do want to vote for someone or other.

MaizieD Wed 17-Jun-26 12:29:50

It's his description of the internal workings of the party and its real lack of interest in policy which I find disturbing.

Casdon Wed 17-Jun-26 12:36:35

Yes *MaizieD. I watched Maximilian Robespierre yesterday, he included the live interview.

It doesn’t surprise me how little underpinning there is on policy in Reform, but what does surprise me is that surely politicians on the brink of defection would have asked enough question to realise that for themselves. It really smacks of lemmings to me.

Maremia Wed 17-Jun-26 13:03:06

Perhaps the answer to some of your queries is that Reform is an independent company. A company, not a political party.

Shel1951 Wed 17-Jun-26 13:10:03

Mummy I don't like my playgroup ,
Ok son we will take you to the one down the road they have nicer toys,
Thanks mummy, 3 months later...mummy im fed up with the toys and I don't like the other children can I go back to the old one?
.......

LauraNorderr Wed 17-Jun-26 13:11:56

As a Tory, I certainly hope that none of these defectors are welcomed back. I could not trust a person who has made such a huge decision without closely examining all of the detail.
Such poor judgement makes them unworthy to earn a place in government nor in opposition.

LizzieDrip Wed 17-Jun-26 13:21:40

Maremia

Perhaps the answer to some of your queries is that Reform is an independent company. A company, not a political party.

This still leaves me totally gobsmacked!

How can a ‘private company’ be allowed to just set themselves up to (potentially) run a country?

I know it’s the money funding them that’s put them there, but surely this is also part of the problem. That money can be (probably is) coming from bad actors aiming to interfere in the running of our country.

Still can’t get my head around the fact that Reform is not a party with recognised procedures and processes … for instance, do they have a predetermined process for getting rid of a leader who ‘goes rogue’; do they have a predetermined process for electing a new leader?

IMO it’s madness!