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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.

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.

"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...".

RedSparrows wrote: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.

Never post under your pornstar name.

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.

The Weeping Angel wrote: ↑Sun Nov 30, 2025 7:54 pm

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

Not just washed up Tories latest. Gullis joins Reform.

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

And Lia Nici too.

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

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.

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

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.

Tubby Isaacs wrote: ↑Mon Dec 01, 2025 2:59 pm 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 .....

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.

It's about getting feet in doors. Book a lecture tour, or a book signing, or a PA at the union disco. Then scream "cancelled!", if anyone takes issue with you. Say shitty things, then scream "cancelled!" again. Demand others get cancelled because they said something you didn't like. Never mind that the majority of students don't give a toss about you, you're helping some sleazy cunt in a shiny suit take his first steps into right wing politics.

Tubby Isaacs wrote: ↑Mon Dec 01, 2025 12:24 pm I think the Tories are underrated as a prospect in the next election.

Why?

Bones McCoy wrote: ↑Mon Dec 01, 2025 3:08 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote: ↑Mon Dec 01, 2025 2:59 pm 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 .....

Can you imagine a Reform government with Gullisss as Secretary of State for Education? That would be the equivalent of Trump.

Tubby Isaacs wrote: ↑Mon Dec 01, 2025 12:24 pm And Lia Nici too.

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

Well, if they’re shedding utter wankers like Gullis and Nici, you may be right. On the other hand, they still have utter wankers like Jenprick and Badenoch herself.

This doesn't necessarily mean votes have transferred directly from Reform to the Greens but still maintain there's a dustbin vote that'll move around to whoever is 'shaking things up.'
How much lower would Reform's polling be if the media spent as much time reporting Farage and his mates' Kremlin connections as they do about wiffle surrounding Rachel Reeves? Especially as so many commentators are bigging up Farage as the next PM.