General News

[Sampson]

26 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

I have no idea why both Labour and (to a lesser extent) the Tories are not absolutely going after Reform/Farage for their ideological alignment with the Trump administration. What's stopping them?

 

Surely "Vote Reform, get Trump" or something along those lines, along with consistently pointing out the obvious links, would be a fair angle to shoot?

Labour I 100% agree, same with LibDems.

 

Tories purged all the moderates in their party under Johnson and so have only Reform sympathisers left. The likes of Badenoch and Jenrick are Farageists and Trumpists themselves in ideology, so won’t criticise him. Badenoch is openly offering to stand down against Reform in order to position the Tories to be a junior partner in a coalition with Reform.

Edited 3 May 2025 by Sampson

[Lionator]

25 minutes ago, urban.spaceman said:

Unfortunately only the good die young. Evil ****ers like Musk and Trump are like cockroaches. Even Farage survived a ****ing plane crash. Proof to me that there’s either no god, or there is one and he’s just a ****. 
 

I still stand by my belief that Trump will not serve his full term, one way or another, though. 

You’re correct, he’ll serve more than his full term 👀

[Md9]

33 minutes ago, davieG said:

......and say it's proof his plans are working.

And blame Biden for the asteroid or something silly 

[Md9]

32 minutes ago, urban.spaceman said:

Unfortunately only the good die young. Evil ****ers like Musk and Trump are like cockroaches. Even Farage survived a ****ing plane crash. Proof to me that there’s either no god, or there is one and he’s just a ****. 
 

I still stand by my belief that Trump will not serve his full term, one way or another, though. 

I hope so and as much as it would be nice for him to just not wake up one day it would be even better if it all goes completely side ways for him and he wakes up every day in prison with no chance of getting out. 

[Trav Le Bleu]

Interesting that a Reform councillor being interviewed on Radio 5 this morning said that the official definition of an asylum seeker isn't an asylum seeker, in his opinion.

 

Well guess what, it doesn't matter. You're welcome to your opinion, but it makes no difference to reality.

[RonnieTodger]

Incredible that so many people still put their faith in Nigel Farage

[leicsmac]

24 minutes ago, Sampson said:

Labour I 100% agree, same with LibDems.

 

Tories purged all the moderates in their party under Johnson and so have only Reform sympathisers left. The likes of Badenoch and Jenrick are Farageists and Trumpists themselves in ideology, so won’t criticise him. Badenoch is openly offering to stand down against Reform in order to position the Tories to be a junior partner in a coalition with Reform.

"If you can't beat them, join them" being the Conservative line of thinking right now, then?

 

It's still rather startling to me that there is such a marked difference between the level of Trump's popularity in the UK and Reform voting polls, given that (making the point again) their policy platforms are broadly aligned.

[BKLFox]

52 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

I have no idea why both Labour and (to a lesser extent) the Tories are not absolutely going after Reform/Farage for their ideological alignment with the Trump administration. What's stopping them?

 

Surely "Vote Reform, get Trump" or something along those lines, along with consistently pointing out the obvious links, would be a fair angle to shoot?

 

25 minutes ago, Sampson said:

Labour I 100% agree, same with LibDems.

 

Tories purged all the moderates in their party under Johnson and so have only Reform sympathisers left. The likes of Badenoch and Jenrick are Farageists and Trumpists themselves in ideology, so won’t criticise him. Badenoch is openly offering to stand down against Reform in order to position the Tories to be a junior partner in a coalition with Reform.

Or I guess they could just get on with delivering what they promised & truly look out for the country and not just trying to keep themselves at the top table beyond 5yrs by saying how bad the alternatives are.

 

If I had 3 builders round to quote for some work with 1 highlighting how they work, provided evidence of their work along with recommendations & testimonials whilst the other 2 spent the whole time bitching about builder 1 I know which builder I’d probably go with 🤷‍♂️ 

[leicsmac]

Just now, BKLFox said:

 

Or I guess they could just get on with delivering what they promised & truly look out for the country and not just trying to keep themselves at the top table beyond 5yrs by saying how bad the alternatives are.

 

If I had 3 builders round to quote for some work with 1 highlighting how they work, provided evidence of their work along with recommendations & testimonials whilst the other 2 spent the whole time bitching about builder 1 I know which builder I’d probably go with 🤷‍♂️ 

...this is of course operating on the assumption that builder 1 and their counterparts are at all competent and have those aforementioned recommendations. Are they, based on what we're seeing on the other side of the pond right now?

 

I agree that positivity is better but people have overlooked both Trumps obvious damage caused and the links he shares with a potential Reform government for too long. There's being positive, and then there's overlooking the negative becoming naive when it's so obvious.

[Kisnorbo fox]

40 minutes ago, Trav Le Bleu said:

Interesting that a Reform councillor being interviewed on Radio 5 this morning said that the official definition of an asylum seeker isn't an asylum seeker, in his opinion.

 

Well guess what, it doesn't matter. You're welcome to your opinion, but it makes no difference to reality.

Very much like the majority of the left wing arse kissing on this forum. You’re welcome to your opinion, but it makes no difference in reality. However in this thread it seems that if your opinion differs then you are somehow racist, fascist or one of the other buzzwords that the left like to spout without any thought of reason behind it. 

[leicsmac]

9 minutes ago, Kisnorbo fox said:

Very much like the majority of the left wing arse kissing on this forum. You’re welcome to your opinion, but it makes no difference in reality. However in this thread it seems that if your opinion differs then you are somehow racist, fascist or one of the other buzzwords that the left like to spout without any thought of reason behind it. 

 

11 hours ago, leicsmac said:

Exactly.

 

Speaking personally, I'd be interested in talking about policy beyond the UK and immigration, too.

This still stands. Understanding is important.

[Zear0]

1 minute ago, leicsmac said:

 

This still stands. Understanding is important.

Understanding is important and sadly the ghost of Brexit is just hovering around. We made that insane decision as politicians and commentators on the left decided to brand those not aligned to their views as bigoted morons rather than trying and improve their lives. Same thing is happening again by just discounting anyone with a view on immigration as "the usual loons" that has been apparent in this thread.

 

Understanding goes both ways and there's a reason a lot of these people are disenfranchised and finding literally anyone else to blame. We're cutting heating to the elderly, auditing benefit claimants bank accounts, and cutting disability allowances. Who are the people affected by these Tory, sorry Labour, policies? The people fleeing to reform and we need to stop discounting them from the perceived moral high ground.

 

Until we address wealth inequality, high energy costs, social care and education, through understanding wider policies as you mention, Reform will cake walk into power. I only quoted yourself as I believe it's domestic policy driving the anger these people to vote Reform rather than external policies.

 

We need Labour to actually be Labour if we're going to progress and improve the lives of the Reform votes who are acting as the turkeys voting for Christmas. 

[bovril]

2 hours ago, SecretPro said:

Yeah sorry, I wasn't aiming the integration thing at you at all - it's just one of those common arguments that comes up which I think doesn't hold much sway. 

I agree there is a certain irony to mostly right wingers in Britain expecting immigrants to integrate, muck in and start cooking for their neighbours when as you point out we have become quite an antisocial and incohesive society thanks partly to some of the policies those same people have spent years voting for.

 

However I think it's inevitable there is unease at certain aspects of multiculturalism as it plays out particularly in poorer, urban areas of England and western Europe. Maybe better if people are honest about that instead of beating around the bush talking about infrastructure and the economy. 

[Trav Le Bleu]

53 minutes ago, Kisnorbo fox said:

Very much like the majority of the left wing arse kissing on this forum. You’re welcome to your opinion, but it makes no difference in reality. However in this thread it seems that if your opinion differs then you are somehow racist, fascist or one of the other buzzwords that the left like to spout without any thought of reason behind it. 

Yes, but none of us are politicians.

[leicsmac]

30 minutes ago, Zear0 said:

Understanding is important and sadly the ghost of Brexit is just hovering around. We made that insane decision as politicians and commentators on the left decided to brand those not aligned to their views as bigoted morons rather than trying and improve their lives. Same thing is happening again by just discounting anyone with a view on immigration as "the usual loons" that has been apparent in this thread.

 

Understanding goes both ways and there's a reason a lot of these people are disenfranchised and finding literally anyone else to blame. We're cutting heating to the elderly, auditing benefit claimants bank accounts, and cutting disability allowances. Who are the people affected by these Tory, sorry Labour, policies? The people fleeing to reform and we need to stop discounting them from the perceived moral high ground.

 

Until we address wealth inequality, high energy costs, social care and education, through understanding wider policies as you mention, Reform will cake walk into power. I only quoted yourself as I believe it's domestic policy driving the anger these people to vote Reform rather than external policies.

 

We need Labour to actually be Labour if we're going to progress and improve the lives of the Reform votes who are acting as the turkeys voting for Christmas. 

Fair to say, and this is where it gets really tricky.

 

The UK - among other places - has to balance the problem of making the lives of their own citizens better in all the ways you describe here and more, and focusing on global matters that can and will doom everyone if the UK - among other places - ignore them. Often those two ends are at the opposite scale of means, hence it being bloody difficult. Some people may not care about external policies, exactly as mentioned here, but they will end up in trouble as a result of them whether they care about them or not.

 

So it's hard, but it is important, and necessary, to somehow work the two simultaneously, or the shit hits the fan either way.

[Md9]

I have zero knowledge on anything to do with stock markets etc but surely you can’t claim this as a win after putting it in the s*** in the first place ? And is it even back to where it was before he took charge 

[Foxdiamond]

10 hours ago, fox_up_north said:

I find myself frustrated by people who champion acceptance and diversity (particularly over trans issues) who readily support immigration of those who hold values diametrically opposed to this. 

 

I feel uncomfortable with the idea that a growing number of people may prosper values in this country which prioritise religious belief over individual expression. I do not believe that religion should hold an importance or sway over society at a political level. 

 

I do not want to provide a home for people who would look down on, or even wish to see harm come to, my friends and family who have different lifestyles. 

 

I do not believe Reform are the answer and Farage's flirting with American Christian right is just as much a concern. 

 

I am mindful of the fact one should always be open to change and consider other ideas, so please do disagree with me if your experiences are to the contrary but those are my views, based on working with immigrants, talking to LGBT people and seeing changes around England. 

Brilliant post imo

[WigstonWanderer]

Thankfully Aussies have firmly kicked Peter Dutton and his conservative coalition to the kerb. Divisive culture warrior and climate change denier (he does pay lip service to it, but through gritted teeth), he would have done everything in his power to sabotage the Australian transition to renewables.

 

He’s projected to lose his seat 😂

Edited 3 May 2025 by WigstonWanderer

[leicsmac]

4 minutes ago, WigstonWanderer said:

Thankfully Aussies have firmly kicked Peter Dutton and his conservative coalition to the kerb. Culture warrior a climate change denier (he does pay lip service to it, but through gritted teeth), he would have done everything in his power to sabotage the Australian transition to renewables.

Good to hear!

 

And yet over in the UK, the stance of the party that made big gains yesterday on the matter is as follows:

 

[Reform UK's] other main policy is scrapping net zero targets, which leader Nigel Farage says are destroying jobs and driving up household bills.

The party also wants to scrap subsidies for renewable energy, allow companies to drill for more gas and oil in the North Sea and fast-track nuclear energy.

 

Looking to boost the UK contribution to the leading cause of the current global biodiversity extinction event. Which is accelerating fast.

 

I can understand concerns about other issues that might result in a vote for the above party, but I'm yet to hear exactly why this isn't a red line given the stakes. Perhaps someone could oblige?

[Spiritwalker]

11 hours ago, fox_up_north said:

I find myself frustrated by people who champion acceptance and diversity (particularly over trans issues) who readily support immigration of those who hold values diametrically opposed to this. 

 

I feel uncomfortable with the idea that a growing number of people may prosper values in this country which prioritise religious belief over individual expression. I do not believe that religion should hold an importance or sway over society at a political level. 

 

I do not want to provide a home for people who would look down on, or even wish to see harm come to, my friends and family who have different lifestyles. 

 

I do not believe Reform are the answer and Farage's flirting with American Christian right is just as much a concern. 

 

I am mindful of the fact one should always be open to change and consider other ideas, so please do disagree with me if your experiences are to the contrary but those are my views, based on working with immigrants, talking to LGBT people and seeing changes around England. 

It’s not an angle that I’ve given much thought to but it’s a very good point.

[WigstonWanderer]

13 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

Good to hear!

 

And yet over in the UK, the stance of the party that made big gains yesterday on the matter is as follows:

 

[Reform UK's] other main policy is scrapping net zero targets, which leader Nigel Farage says are destroying jobs and driving up household bills.

The party also wants to scrap subsidies for renewable energy, allow companies to drill for more gas and oil in the North Sea and fast-track nuclear energy.

 

Looking to boost the UK contribution to the leading cause of the current global biodiversity extinction event. Which is accelerating fast.

 

I can understand concerns about other issues that might result in a vote for the above party, but I'm yet to hear exactly why this isn't a red line given the stakes. Perhaps someone could oblige?

Hopefully just a reaction to a somewhat poorly managed start (AFAICT) by Labour. Perhaps they’ll turn things around by the time of the next election.

[leicsmac]

3 minutes ago, WigstonWanderer said:

Hopefully just a reaction to a somewhat poorly managed start (AFAICT) by Labour. Perhaps they’ll turn things around by the time of the next election.

There is a lot of time between here and there.

 

Perhaps Trump might do the UK a favour by being deliberately arrogant and antagonistic in the way that he did for Canada and Oz.

[Lionator]

2 hours ago, Kisnorbo fox said:

Very much like the majority of the left wing arse kissing on this forum. You’re welcome to your opinion, but it makes no difference in reality. However in this thread it seems that if your opinion differs then you are somehow racist, fascist or one of the other buzzwords that the left like to spout without any thought of reason behind it. 

Where is anybody saying that?
 

Again, the general theme is that everything sucks and we just have different ideas of how to fix it (it can’t be fixed). A lot of people are recognising that not engaging with the issues and calling people racist is an issue. 

[Lionator]

2 hours ago, Zear0 said:

Understanding is important and sadly the ghost of Brexit is just hovering around. We made that insane decision as politicians and commentators on the left decided to brand those not aligned to their views as bigoted morons rather than trying and improve their lives. Same thing is happening again by just discounting anyone with a view on immigration as "the usual loons" that has been apparent in this thread.

 

Understanding goes both ways and there's a reason a lot of these people are disenfranchised and finding literally anyone else to blame. We're cutting heating to the elderly, auditing benefit claimants bank accounts, and cutting disability allowances. Who are the people affected by these Tory, sorry Labour, policies? The people fleeing to reform and we need to stop discounting them from the perceived moral high ground.

 

Until we address wealth inequality, high energy costs, social care and education, through understanding wider policies as you mention, Reform will cake walk into power. I only quoted yourself as I believe it's domestic policy driving the anger these people to vote Reform rather than external policies.

 

We need Labour to actually be Labour if we're going to progress and improve the lives of the Reform votes who are acting as the turkeys voting for Christmas. 

The 2019 election is so fascinating looking back. Corbyn was not the right man, but the message was. He wanted to nationalise the things that now everyone is begging to be nationalised, including the Reform supporters! Meanwhile everything that Boris Johnson promised was a lie. Levelling up, bringing immigration numbers down, it was all a load of BS. Economically Reform supporters and the left are close together. 

[leicsmac]

But in all reflection on the above, big congratulations to Albanese.

 

Like in Canada, the more Anglosphere/OECD nations reject hardcore nationalists, the better.