It's Alarming That Potential Reform Party Voters Don't All Fit the Stereotype of Tub-Thumping Hooligans
Yusuf, Edgbaston
Work: Economics Instructor & Digital Creator
Voting Record: Labour. He considers himself “formerly known as moderate left. More left-wing than Starmer – as do many others”
Personal Anecdote: At an event by the motivational speaker Tony Robbins, showing human potential, he walked across burning coals.
Mark, Walsall
Work: Ex- Nurse, later Educator, now Retired
Voting Record: Has voted for different parties – in the last election Conservative Party and in the upcoming election he intends to support Reform
Amuse Bouche: Mark scored two goals playing for England versus Germany … at his sister's wedding of his sibling, whose spouse is German (the English team lost).
First Course
Mark: Since I had surgery to treat Parkinson's, it can be difficult finding the words. Yusuf speaks well, and strongly opinionated regarding his views. I do drink but I just had a blackcurrant with soda. I ordered sirloin steak, and dessert was pancake with ice cream.
Yusuf: People often imagine of how you picture a Reform supporter appears – a union jack T-shirt or a red-faced, portly kind of guy – and that perception was disproven. He was quite friendly. I’ve been 16 years sober, so I chose Diet Coke. And a ribeye steak, which was gorgeous.
Main Discussion
Mark: Today's immigration rates are unsustainable. Numerous migrants coming on small boats are honest, prepared to work, but others are not. They might be criminals or extremists.
Yusuf: Imagine their position. No one leaves a happy home a stable country and living a good life. These are individuals who have lost everything or everything’s been taken away from them. Small boat arrivals are only a fraction; most of the immigration into this country is entirely legal.
Mark: There’s an ethical dimension to tempting skilled people to a rich country, because we’re causing other countries to have shortages. Something I've worried about for years is UK overpopulation, due to energy demands, water, health service, education system, housing, and so on. Additionally, some groups that live segregated lives and avoid integrating with the wider society. This is concerning – particularly when migrants are coming from countries where human rights or women's rights are terrible.
Yusuf: I talked about my dad coming here It’s not like we suddenly become British; individuals maintain their customs in their home country. Many nations Britain colonised, including India, were well developed economically, but Britain went in and took stuff and hindered their progress. We didn't come to reclaim anything, but we moved to where opportunities are.
Common Ground
Mark: We concurred as people get very wealthy, money is never sufficient. I'd advocate for taxing the rich.
Yusuf: Mark noted that inequality stems from Thatcher and mentioned her policies. I was surprised he wasn't more right-wing!
Final Thoughts
Mark: Farage is a skilled speaker, right? I believe in his economic plans, although austerity measures will upset a lot of people so maybe he’ll have to temper his intentions. I will vote with a heavy heart as he seems unconcerned about the NHS; it would be sad to go down the private healthcare road. My career was in the NHS. However, I won't support Conservatives or Labour; they've had opportunities.
Yusuf: I mentioned to Mark: reflect on Reform's allies. There are some really nasty people, you're different, your opinions differ. Farage and his colleague, Richard Tice, are affluent businessmen who are not truly concerned about Britain, but seek to exploit popular fears and emotions to get elected.
Final Reflections
Mark: Now I’m retired, I lack insight into youth views as much as I did when I was a lecturer. The dinner was enjoyable.
Yusuf: I find it alarming that possible Reform supporters don't all fit the image of union jack-emblazoned thugs. However, I felt encouraged that through calm discussion some of those ideas, you might influence attitudes and opinions.
