[RedSparrows]

Genuine question: what has given anyone the idea that Reform are above grubby politics? Anyone? Any ideas?

Reminds me of some insane blather some Kipper posted before one of the endless elections at the end of the 2010s, about waking up the next day to a better England bla bla bla. Do they actually believe this shit? I can't square this idealism with the abject cynicism of Reform's politics.

[Admirable Chrichton]

A bit of a generalisation, but the reactionary's view of the passage of time follows three rules. The past is idealised, the present betrayed and the future is to be taken back - preferably by other people.

[Andy McDandy]

"They’re all as bad as each other" is the common thread running through every "real alternative" party, left or right. The idea being that someone unsullied by the system, a pure hearted amateur, will rise above all that, apply some good old British common sense and save the day.

Dates back to medieval times, if not earlier. As the Celts were crowning their "summer king", there was probably some thick twat saying "You'll see, he'll keep those druids in line, send those bloody beaker people back...".

[Rosvanian]

Genuine question: what has given anyone the idea that Reform are above grubby politics? Anyone? Any ideas?

Reminds me of some insane blather some Kipper posted before one of the endless elections at the end of the 2010s, about waking up the next day to a better England bla bla bla. Do they actually believe this shit? I can't square this idealism with the abject cynicism of Reform's politics.

i wish I'd done psychology at university all those years ago instead of my long forgotten degree because I'm fascinated by this stuff. As a keen bar room psychologist (oh, shut the fuck up), I reckon it's a lethal combination of cognitive dissonance and cognative bias and a HUGE dollop of basic fuckwittery/arseholery/cuntishness/self pity/victimhood/claiming lost youth as a better world.

[The Weeping Angel]

[Bones McCoy]

Never post under your pornstar name.

[Tubby Isaacs]

I don't think they expected to win.

After they did win, then I'm sure some of them (while having naive ideas about how many diversity officers they employed) did want to get on with the job in a normal way, whereas others just wanted to piss about, like they would have done in opposition. I don't know anything about Doncaster, so can't say whether the resigned leader or the audit committee guy was trying to do a proper job, maybe neither, but this will explain some of the infighting generally.

[Tubby Isaacs]

I posted about this on the Farage thread. I don't get the reaction to it. It's lobbying, which everyone has to do.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Not just washed up Tories latest. Gullis joins Reform.

https://bsky.app/profile/gwladruns.bsky ... w67ivhhc2c

[Tubby Isaacs]

And Lia Nici too.

I think the Tories are underrated as a prospect in the next election.

[mattomac]

Russell Group have always had a cosy relationship with the right frankly. Maybe they've just realised that the Tories if anything will be a minor party.

Problem with this Reeves stuff for them is she didn't say it in the commons, she also didn't speak clearly about it just vague soundbites. She can easily still make the point the economy is struggling.

[Watchman]

Does a PM hold as much sway/influence over accademia, as a POTUS?

[Tubby Isaacs]

If Reform promised to do what Trump has to universities, they'd doubtless focus a few more minds on tactical voting against them. Not to mention that Farage might be running very far from Trump by 2029, or indeed sooner.

[Bones McCoy]

If Reform promised to do what Trump has to universities, they'd doubtless focus a few more minds on tactical voting against them. Not to mention that Farage might be running very far from Trump by 2029, or indeed sooner.

If anybody at Universities thinks Reform is their salvation .....

[Tubby Isaacs]

I'm sure they don't, but there's definitely an economic case that can be made, which lots of people in Reform won't be aware of. Don't think it's "giving in" to try and make that case. Those British engineers they want training get cross subsidized by foreigners doing cheaper liberal arts.