Reform Party overtakes the Conservative Party in membership numbers

[-:Undertaker:-]

Reform Party overtakes the Conservative Party in membership numbers

Reform have surged to 143,000 members compared to the Tories 132,000

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Membership figures don't win elections of course, but it is another indication of just how Reform are surging and just how weak the Conservative Party now is. All the conditions for a repeat of... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Canadian_federal_election

Thoughts?

[The Don]

Reform Party overtakes the Conservative Party in membership numbers

Reform have surged to 143,000 members compared to the Tories 132,000

1872308648141287797

1872677107244945512


Membership figures don't win elections of course, but it is another indication of just how Reform are surging and just how weak the Conservative Party now is. All the conditions for a repeat of... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Canadian_federal_election

Thoughts?

Regardless of political beliefs i'd be interested to know what you think of foreign billionaires/foreign government workers (elon musk) trying to influence our elections?

I think there's clearly a legit problem that is causing this growth in right wing voters, and it is partly the lefts to blame. You reap what you sow.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Regardless of political beliefs i'd be interested to know what you think of foreign billionaires/foreign government workers (elon musk) trying to influence our elections?

I'd say it is nothing new because money has been funnelled into British elections and parties via foreign donors in all sorts of ways for years, George Soros being a key example when he donated £500,000 to an anti-Leave campaign. The main two parties and their media lackies like Lewis Goodall are only crying into their hankies about it now because for once it isn't going to them it's going to a competitor. The panic is fun to watch.

I mean there's the argument that political parties should only be state-funded, but personally I couldn't stomach the thought of any of them getting taxpayers cash. I guess the best outcome on paper would be a ban on non-British sources and a limit per person, but it just seems there's a million ways to get around the rules and plus British citizenship isn't exactly hard to come by these days given passports are handed out like confetti.

What do you think the solution is? Or perhaps there isn't one as I think.


I think there's clearly a legit problem that is causing this growth in right wing voters, and it is partly the lefts to blame. You reap what you sow.

I just think it all comes back to immigration and its consequences like the grooming gangs that are now in the headlines. Election after election people have voted to cut it back, and no matter what party is in power they just do the total opposite. I'm seeing more and more foreigners from Africa and the Middle East around my local area now too. I used to consider myself quite moderate on immigration thinking just have a limit which doesn't strain services, invite the best in etc. Now I just want a total shutdown of the border and many, many deportations. I've really had enough of being ignored and I hear similar from many others.

You have to ask yourself, where's the democratic legitimacy for this? (below) And do our political class really think they can get away with it before there's a huge pushback as there was during the referendum but which they've just continued as though nothing ever happened?

Then I see illegal immigrants posing as asylum seekers flooding across the border being given free hotels to stay in, meanwhile my grandmother is having to use her life savings which they worked all their lives for to pay for her old age care because she's unfortunate to have dementia - but a fake asylum seeker from Afghanistan can walk in, get free accommodation/healthcare etc? It's reprehensible and I'm going to stop typing now because my blood pressure is going up and I have work to do!


https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1920/cpsprodpb/1107B/production/_133655796_overall_migration_multi_line-002.png

[The Don]

I'd say it is nothing new because money has been funnelled into British elections and parties via foreign donors in all sorts of ways for years, George Soros being a key example when he donated £500,000 to an anti-Leave campaign. The main two parties and their media lackies like Lewis Goodall are only crying into their hankies about it now because for once it isn't going to them it's going to a competitor. The panic is fun to watch.

I mean there's the argument that political parties should only be state-funded, but personally I couldn't stomach the thought of any of them getting taxpayers cash. I guess the best outcome on paper would be a ban on non-British sources and a limit per person, but it just seems there's a million ways to get around the rules and plus British citizenship isn't exactly hard to come by these days given passports are handed out like confetti.

What do you think the solution is? Or perhaps there isn't one as I think.



I just think it all comes back to immigration and its consequences like the grooming gangs that are now in the headlines. Election after election people have voted to cut it back, and no matter what party is in power they just do the total opposite. I'm seeing more and more foreigners from Africa and the Middle East around my local area now too. I used to consider myself quite moderate on immigration thinking just have a limit which doesn't strain services, invite the best in etc. Now I just want a total shutdown of the border and many, many deportations. I've really had enough of being ignored and I hear similar from many others.

You have to ask yourself, where's the democratic legitimacy for this? (below) And do our political class really think they can get away with it before there's a huge pushback as there was during the referendum but which they've just continued as though nothing ever happened?

Then I see illegal immigrants posing as asylum seekers flooding across the border being given free hotels to stay in, meanwhile my grandmother is having to use her life savings which they worked all their lives for to pay for her old age care because she's unfortunate to have dementia - but a fake asylum seeker from Afghanistan can walk in, get free accommodation/healthcare etc? It's reprehensible and I'm going to stop typing now because my blood pressure is going up and I have work to do!


https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1920/cpsprodpb/1107B/production/_133655796_overall_migration_multi_line-002.png

I think your response is entirely fair, all outside meddling should be banned but obviously this will never be the case. When someone is as public and in your face about it as Elon Musk is though, it would be stupid for the relevant states not to sanction him. Turbulent times ahead. Can't wait for trump and elon to fall out, egos that big it's certainly going to happen.

[-:Undertaker:-]

The latest polls showing Reform surging and now pretty neck and neck across different pollsters. Populism has finally arrived in Britain.

The Sun's Political Editor reported a couple of days ago that Sir Keir Starmer personally believes Nigel Farage is 3-1 to become next PM.

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I think your response is entirely fair, all outside meddling should be banned but obviously this will never be the case. When someone is as public and in your face about it as Elon Musk is though, it would be stupid for the relevant states not to sanction him. Turbulent times ahead. Can't wait for trump and elon to fall out, egos that big it's certainly going to happen.

I think it's preferable to have donors in your face like this - that way we know who is funding what party. It takes me back to what Jesse Ventura used to say, that all politicians should wear NASCAR type overalls with their donors logos on them so we can all see.

[Seatherny]

I have little hope for this country. Incompetent politicians from all parties. Increasily poor work attitude of the public. Public having a huge feeling of entitlement. Making rich people out to be criminals. Gullible public who take anything for face value ... like NHS Brexit Bus, Labours bullshit lies, Lib Dems free studentt tuition.

To get in power in UK is quite easy. Promise free free free everything, dangle a carrot infront of the public, and laugh when they fall for it and vote you in.

[-:Undertaker:-]

I have little hope for this country. Incompetent politicians from all parties. Increasily poor work attitude of the public. Public having a huge feeling of entitlement. Making rich people out to be criminals. Gullible public who take anything for face value ... like NHS Brexit Bus, Labours bullshit lies, Lib Dems free studentt tuition.

To get in power in UK is quite easy. Promise free free free everything, dangle a carrot infront of the public, and laugh when they fall for it and vote you in.

My thoughts too - this country is actively managed against the interests of its native people and in opposition to any common sense.

I had to sit through a lecture this Monday on a teacher training course (which the government charge people 9k for although luckily I got a bursary when they were still there) telling us how white people were basically bad (I made the lecturer look a fool in front of 150 people, but that's another story) making me think why the hell would I want to work in this country and get told to do anything but teach my subject and instead fill the kids minds with politically correct crap, get taxed to the hilt on almost everything whilst the government hands money abroad like there's no tomorrow - and after all that if I need a hospital appointment (as I enquired last year about suspected rhinitis), get told it was a 2 year waiting list to see anyone about it. AND THEN when you get dementia, the government will seize all your money and you'll have to pay for your care, whilst illegal immigrants are treated to free hotels and free legal aid.

My advice for anyone is to get out if you have the skills to. Spain etc may not even earn as much but basic things actually work.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Another poll out this morning below showing the same traction.

There's an interesting debate on https://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2025/01/15/the-new-normal-reform-ahead-of-the-tories/ discussing what happens to the residual vote of the established centre-right party (the Conservatives) when a populist challenger rises up, do they stay split or does the vote move across? And as someone pointed out, if you look at countries where this has already happened in some form: Canada, France, America, Italy and others, what generally happens is that vote swings behind the populist challenger. I did say at the last election that there's a very strong chance that Rishi Sunak might well have been the last Conservative and Unionist Prime Minister...

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[Seatherny]

My thoughts too - this country is actively managed against the interests of its native people and in opposition to any common sense.

I had to sit through a lecture this Monday on a teacher training course (which the government charge people 9k for although luckily I got a bursary when they were still there) telling us how white people were basically bad (I made the lecturer look a fool in front of 150 people, but that's another story) making me think why the hell would I want to work in this country and get told to do anything but teach my subject and instead fill the kids minds with politically correct crap, get taxed to the hilt on almost everything whilst the government hands money abroad like there's no tomorrow - and after all that if I need a hospital appointment (as I enquired last year about suspected rhinitis), get told it was a 2 year waiting list to see anyone about it. AND THEN when you get dementia, the government will seize all your money and you'll have to pay for your care, whilst illegal immigrants are treated to free hotels and free legal aid.

My advice for anyone is to get out if you have the skills to. Spain etc may not even earn as much but basic things actually work.

I have dealt with a few council contracts, and I have seen first hand how badly they are managed. It is all corruption, lazy staff who care very little, take benefit of their position, take fully paid sick leave when they are not sick. Actually a few council staff have told me a job at the council is one of the best and easiest jobs.

If the government wanted to save money, they could, but staff just don't give a rats ass.

And now everyone wants to be an influencer anyway, so no one wanted to do any "real" work and it means education is valued less. Now most of these influencers have a career span of 3-7 years. Unless they are smart with their money, I can see a huge rise in % of people on benefits in 10-15 years.

[-:Undertaker:-]

We're reaching crossover point now in the averages.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_next_United_Kingdom_genera l_election#Graphical_summary


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Opinion_polling_graph_for_the_next_United_Kingdom_ general_election_%28post-2024%29.svg/979px-Opinion_polling_graph_for_the_next_United_Kingdom_ general_election_%28post-2024%29.svg.png


I have dealt with a few council contracts, and I have seen first hand how badly they are managed. It is all corruption, lazy staff who care very little, take benefit of their position, take fully paid sick leave when they are not sick. Actually a few council staff have told me a job at the council is one of the best and easiest jobs.

If the government wanted to save money, they could, but staff just don't give a rats ass.

And now everyone wants to be an influencer anyway, so no one wanted to do any "real" work and it means education is valued less. Now most of these influencers have a career span of 3-7 years. Unless they are smart with their money, I can see a huge rise in % of people on benefits in 10-15 years.

I can totally believe it - my Uncle worked for HM Passport Office for years until recently and he said the Civil Service are largely clueless. The waste was astronomical, whenever projects were over all of the hardware so the computers, laptops, printers, copying machines - the whole lot was binned. Not sold, not used elsewhere in the Civil Service, not given to schools, hell not even given to ordinary British subjects, just binned.

I was also sat in another lecture the other day, and basically they alluded to the diagnosis' of ADHD and Autism in education, and showed us a graph of this rising astronomically in the last few years and stated there was a two year wait to get kids diagnosed and schools were pushing for it. But I was sat there thinking, am I from a different planet? We're sat looking at a giant scam - unless Autism and ADHD have suddenly become transmissible, it's basically nationwide benefits fraud by schools/parents and doctors to turn the benefits tap on. And we're ALL paying for it. But every do-gooder there just seemed to think it was a fantastic thing.