HighPeakFox

I respect your fury, I believe it to be for good reason.

That was my original point - lumping them in with Reform and DUP is unfair.

I'm not sure this matters does it? I suspect we agree on most things and don't see a reason to fall out over such a minor difference of opinion.

That's fine - but hardly 'lunatic', right?

I think trying to help make sure we still have a habitable planet is definitely 'laudable' I find it sad that fairly normal policies are now considered very left - it just shows how far the centre has shifted to the right, if you'll forgive the apparent contradiction.

I think calling the Greens 'lunatic' is pretty unfair.

I mean, what are you thinking Dave?

I think a lot of people feel beaten down and unrepresented by the choices they are given, as well as (in part) lack of education, knowledge and gumption playing their various parts. And of course some just won't have the requisite ID. I suspect a lot of younger voters will feel totally alienated by it all.

I'll play nice and admit I have always thought our voting system arcane and in need of reforming. However, the point some have made that we're only going to have the idea promoted now because the right have been caught out being a total mess, is also valid. Labour, Greens and LDs have got wise and figured out how to maximise their appeal - Starmer won't give two hoots about vote share, he/they knew what they were doing (with the exception of a few seats, where they cocked up).

Stolen from Robin Williams, no less.

It was a largely performative/rhetorical question, but thank you all the same.

It's too exhausting, and I am depressed enough with what's going on in the USA to attack a good human.

I thank you sincerely for answering in good faith. It doesn't matter whether I agree or not.

You are aware that this government have taken more of your money than Labour actually will, aren't you? The bolded line is pure repetition of confected rubbish.

The freedom to choose the very policies we fought against. Oh the irony.

Please don't suggest what I might think of you - it certainly isn't that, and generally I find you very agreeable. I have tried to put people down less, as a result of what you observed. I have no desire to vilify anything other than views that are abhorrent, and I wish to retain the right to express my opinion, and not be cowed by argumentative bullies (not you, I assure you) into silence. I hope you would support my desire not to be silenced.

You see counter argument as passive aggressive? I'm as much against political correctness as most people, I detest it. You just don't like it that I constructively criticise you, thus you make it about my character rather than think about what I said. Ironically enough, what you do towards me, therefore, is entirely passive aggressive.

Who is vilifying you, Col?

Absolutely they should. And I think they shouldn't be afraid of their opinions being held up to scrutiny. After all, if they're allowed to say it how it is, so are we all.

Terribly sorry for arguing my case. I'm sorry, but this is basically the kids I went to school with who had no respect for authority or rules. They want freedom when it suits them, and only them. I'm not offended by much Col, but I don't think very much of what you just said. It's just apologism for bad actors.

No Col. People will vote Reform for a variety of reasons. Some of it is anger, some of it gullibility, some of it 'patriotism', some of it xenophobia and there will be many other factors. My own personal take is that people like Farage because they, like him, want to gob off without consequences or responsibility, and don't want to be challenged on their prejudices. He sells a simplistic fantasy and it appeals to a certain demographic. Given the rise of the far right generally, and the known Russian interference in our processes which was quietly ignored by the Tories when it suited them, and is going on again now, I find it all terrifying.

One brave soul has said Reform is one of his choices. Given his religious/moral stance, the mind boggles.

Matterface, 60 million of us are NOT English, you melt.

Has anyone made a Toney/betting joke yet?

Love how it came about from a crap shot deflected in from head to head.