It's Alarming How Possible Reform Party Voters Are Not All Tub-Thumping Hooligans
Yusuf, Birmingham
Profession: Economics Instructor & Digital Creator
Political History: Labour Party. He considers himself “formerly known as old centre-left. To the left of Starmer – as do many others”
Personal Anecdote: While attending a talk featuring life coach Tony Robbins, who was demonstrating that people are more capable than they think, he walked across burning coals.
Mark, Walsall
Profession: Former Nurse, then Educator, now Retired
Political History: Voted for various parties – previously Conservative Party while next time he’ll probably vote Reform
Amuse Bouche: He once scored twice representing England facing Germany … at his sister's wedding of his sister, whose spouse is German (England was defeated).
For Starters
Mark: Since I had surgery for Parkinson’s, I sometimes have trouble expressing myself. Yusuf is very articulate, and very passionate in what he believes. I do drink but this time I had a blackcurrant with soda. I had a sirloin steak, and dessert was pancake with ice cream.
Yusuf: There's a common stereotype of what you think a Reform supporter appears – a union jack T-shirt or a loud, overweight man – and that perception was disproven. He was very genial. I've been sober for 16 years, so I chose Diet Coke. My main was ribeye steak, which tasted amazing.
The Big Beef
Mark: Current levels of immigration are not viable. Many individuals arriving by small boats are honest, prepared to work, but others are not. They could be criminals or terrorists.
Yusuf: Imagine their position. People don't leave willingly a stable country and a secure existence. They are people with nothing left or who have been stripped of everything. Channel crossings are only a fraction; most people entering to the UK is through legal means.
Mark: There is a moral issue to luring professionals to a rich country, because we’re causing shortages in other nations. A long-standing worry of mine is overpopulation of the UK, given energy needs, water supply, healthcare system, education system, housing crisis, etc. Additionally, some groups that live segregated lives and have little interaction with the wider society. This is concerning – particularly when migrants hail from places where freedoms or women's rights are appalling.
Yusuf: I talked about my dad coming here We don't instantly become British; they continue their traditions in their home country. A lot of the countries under British rule, such as India, were economically advanced, but Britain exploited them and hindered their progress. It’s not like we came to get our stuff back, but we sought better prospects.
Shared Views
Mark: We concurred with extreme wealth, money is never sufficient. I would want a wealth tax.
Yusuf: Mark said wealth inequality was all Thatcher’s fault and talked about the historical seeds she had sown. He didn't seem like a typical Conservative!
For Afters
Mark: Nigel Farage is very persuasive, right? I would trust him with the economy, although austerity measures will be unpopular so he may need to moderate his approach. I will vote with a heavy heart because he’s given the impression unconcerned about the NHS; privatizing healthcare would be regrettable. My career was in the NHS. However, I won't support Conservatives or Labour; they’ve had their chance.
Yusuf: I told Mark: think about who your bedfellows in Reform are. Some supporters are extreme, you're different, your opinions differ. Farage and his deputy, Richard Tice, are very rich businesspeople who are not truly concerned about Britain, but aim to tap into people’s worst fears and impulses to win power.
Conclusion
Mark: As a retiree, I don’t get the young person’s perspective as much as I did when I was a lecturer. I had a great time.
Yusuf: I find it alarming that potential Reform voters are not all tub-thumping aggressive nationalists. Yet, I left hopeful that if you calmly discuss some of those ideas, you might influence perspectives and beliefs.
