Gawain Towler has made some interesting comments about the threat of Restore Britain to Reform UK, so I decided to respond and look at some of the core arguments in this increasingly heated, and at times frankly nasty, debate.
I find it quite interesting where the Restore votes are going to come from, and what sort of strategy they have for getting them. Rupert Lowe did an interview with a political betting podcast I listen to just over a week ago where he was pushed on whether he needed Reform to implode in order for Restore to succeed, and he indicated he was more interested in picking up votes from disaffected voters who hadn't supported anyone for a while rather that taking ground from other parties, while accepting that some votes would come their way from people jumping ship as it were. He certainly iterated that he would not under any circumstances form a coalition with Reform, he was more favourable towards the Conservatives and had positive words for Badenoch & some of the younger Tories, however his view of some of the other members of that party and the damaged legacy of the Conservatives suggests that he wouldn't be over keen to collude with them either.
I think most Reform members are sincere and want similar things to what we do. I don't trust their leadership to deliver it though. And if they'd kept us onside there wouldn't be a Restore party.
P.S if anyone is going to the initial Restore Barnet & Camden branch meeting I'll see you there.
Reform alienated me and many other officials in fledgling branches to the extent that some entire branches closed down. I did nothing other than ask a few questions about how the branch was being run but apparently blind obedience and unquestioning devotion to Farage & Yusuf was what was required. Good people like Chris Littlewood & Job West, both chairmen of Reform branches were similarly alienated. My experience of Reform members is that many of them are fanatical supporters and will attack anyone who isn't. It really is as if they've been captured by a cult. Having been treated in a similar way to Rupert Lowe, naturally my sympathies now lie with Restore but when it comes to voting in elections, I'll either have to vote for the individual candidate that impresses me or vote tactically to keep Labour out
Doubt if Restore or Advance will pose a threat to Reform electorally. Reforms record in local govt come 2029 General Election will be their problem; over promising and under delivering. 90% plus (over 100% in some areas) of councils expenditure is earmarked for statutory services which must be provided. It may be possible to save the odd few thousand here and there with better purchasing and tendering but as Reform have already found out in areas they control, it is very difficult.
There main positive will be the continued failure by Labour to tackle illegal immigration and the societal effects of HMO`s reaching across all areas of UK including suburbia.
Agree with much that you say Andrew. There's also the question of Farage and his habit of self sabotage when we look at his past record with other parties. I really don’t think he has the character or temperament suited to the daily grind of politics at the highest level. He's a great campaigner but I would imagine the reality of being PM would bore him to death and he'd be up against the difficulty of actually implementing his policies. IMHO, he's become controlled opposition
I find it quite interesting where the Restore votes are going to come from, and what sort of strategy they have for getting them. Rupert Lowe did an interview with a political betting podcast I listen to just over a week ago where he was pushed on whether he needed Reform to implode in order for Restore to succeed, and he indicated he was more interested in picking up votes from disaffected voters who hadn't supported anyone for a while rather that taking ground from other parties, while accepting that some votes would come their way from people jumping ship as it were. He certainly iterated that he would not under any circumstances form a coalition with Reform, he was more favourable towards the Conservatives and had positive words for Badenoch & some of the younger Tories, however his view of some of the other members of that party and the damaged legacy of the Conservatives suggests that he wouldn't be over keen to collude with them either.
I think most Reform members are sincere and want similar things to what we do. I don't trust their leadership to deliver it though. And if they'd kept us onside there wouldn't be a Restore party.
P.S if anyone is going to the initial Restore Barnet & Camden branch meeting I'll see you there.
Reform alienated me and many other officials in fledgling branches to the extent that some entire branches closed down. I did nothing other than ask a few questions about how the branch was being run but apparently blind obedience and unquestioning devotion to Farage & Yusuf was what was required. Good people like Chris Littlewood & Job West, both chairmen of Reform branches were similarly alienated. My experience of Reform members is that many of them are fanatical supporters and will attack anyone who isn't. It really is as if they've been captured by a cult. Having been treated in a similar way to Rupert Lowe, naturally my sympathies now lie with Restore but when it comes to voting in elections, I'll either have to vote for the individual candidate that impresses me or vote tactically to keep Labour out
Doubt if Restore or Advance will pose a threat to Reform electorally. Reforms record in local govt come 2029 General Election will be their problem; over promising and under delivering. 90% plus (over 100% in some areas) of councils expenditure is earmarked for statutory services which must be provided. It may be possible to save the odd few thousand here and there with better purchasing and tendering but as Reform have already found out in areas they control, it is very difficult.
There main positive will be the continued failure by Labour to tackle illegal immigration and the societal effects of HMO`s reaching across all areas of UK including suburbia.
Agree with much that you say Andrew. There's also the question of Farage and his habit of self sabotage when we look at his past record with other parties. I really don’t think he has the character or temperament suited to the daily grind of politics at the highest level. He's a great campaigner but I would imagine the reality of being PM would bore him to death and he'd be up against the difficulty of actually implementing his policies. IMHO, he's become controlled opposition
He was on tv last night and I said I think he’s ok ish 🤔🤔🤔 🤣🤣😎 he’s kinda scary but then absolutely nothing but fair and I like it x