Where do Reform get these pie larks from?

The deeply concerning thing is the access to data. I've seen an article from a former Kent Councillor who suggests the introduction of Reform HQ people and hangers on (Aaron Banks has been mentioned, remember him?) have had no security clearance given at all and like Musk in the US are pushing for access to all data which must surely breach data protection laws.

Not attending committee's, taking instruction from Reform HQ, trying to undo climate commitments, culture wars. No actual governing. Yet people think this is a credible option. Baffling.

 

They are (Reform) far worse than cynical.

 

It's not that difficult, even the Tories are leagues above Reform.

 

I don’t see them as any worse than the current government.

Both are better at spin than anything else.

Both are out for themselves rather than bettering the country.

Both will make promises and deliver the opposite.

Both hold voters and our rights in contempt.

 

I don’t vote for them either.

 

Whilst it doesn't fit the Doge cost cutting ethic, it's not unusual, in my own area the Mayor has a paid by the Council, Political advisor.

 

That's the problem. People not seeing the danger of a fascist party and correctly identifying how different they are.

 

The problem is a lot of folk - and sadly, plenty in Barnsley - will just hear and see the soundbites with no solutions from Reform mouthpieces, their lives having not got better under the Tories or Labour (largely due to the former's 14 years in power), and think why not give an alternative a go. Do I want to see an end to asylum seekers coming over on boats? Absolutely. But plenty have been brainwashed into thinking they're the source of all the country's problems - and the fact they're gullible enough to believe this with no critical thinking applied means its like shooting fish in a barrel for Farage and co.

Labour can counter this by focusing on actually improving these people's lives, but instead they seem keener to pander to their misguided views by moving increasingly toward the right.

Its all so depressing. The lack of humanity of the scumbags who rarely disguised their racism/xenophobia but have been given the confidence by Reform to shout up, the gullibility of "normal" folk who get drawn in by the lies, the inability of our government to do anything about it.

 

That’s probably because the left have spent the last twenty years calling half the country Hitler.

 

Yes, calling people Hitler (which hasn't been the case) is well known to make people lose all sense for reason and embrace fascism and authoritarianism. Deary me.

I'm not sure who the left is anymore, given just about every printed and spoken word in the media is right of centre. The mirror and some in the Guardian at a push could still be called Left, but not many. Given the Guardian is part controlled by a very right wing centred Trust.

 

My bigger concern was the data and the hypocrisy of Reform allegedly saving money while lining their cronies pockets while politicising a council who really, should be just doing the admin and running their ward/borough/town/county. A mayoralty, especially now, I think has become more political given central governments aim to devolve more powers locally.

 

If they're both the same, why on earth do some people think we'd be better off under Reform?

 

Happy to explain - the point I hope you’d understand is that, given the terms are thrown around so readily and without justification, calling someone a right-wing fascist no longer has the same significance and impact on an individual/group’s perception.

It’s the same principle as running around screaming fire, or the boy who cried wolf.

 

They’ve trusted and been let down by the others already.
‘Fool me once, fool me twice’ and all that.
People keep saying and voting for the same things - they’re just increasingly desperate for anyone who will listen.

 

It’s the inability of the left to recognise valid criticism or take responsibility for their actions that is driving people away.

 

I'm happy to explain it back to you. People don't understand what fascism is. I've not seen the term in the media at all, for obvious reason given MSM alignment. So your assertion that its an over used term is nonsense.

Do you understand that Reform is a fascist party?

Remember, fascism first appears as your friend.

 

Who is 'the left'?

 

In Warwickshire, they just voted to get "Political Advisors" in at an annual cost of £150,000 to be paid for by council tax payers.

They are a (very bad) joke.

Reform councillors criticised after voting to spend £150,000 on political advisers | Reform UK | The Guardian

 

I'm feeling left out, I want a flag.