It is Concerning How Prospective Reform Party Voters Are Not All Aggressive Hooligans
Yusuf, Edgbaston
Occupation: Economics Instructor & Online Educator
Voting Record: Labour. He identifies as “formerly known as old centre-left. To the left of Starmer – and many feel the same”
Personal Anecdote: While attending a talk featuring the motivational speaker Tony Robbins, showing that people are more capable than they think, he stepped on fiery embers.
Mark, Walsall
Work: Ex- Nursing Professional, then Lecturer, currently Retired
Past Votes: Voted for most parties – last time Conservative while next time he plans to vote Reform
Interesting Fact: Mark once scored twice representing England versus Germany … at his sister's wedding of his sister, who wed a German (England was defeated).
For Starters
Mark: After my operation to treat Parkinson's, I sometimes have trouble speaking clearly. Yusuf speaks well, and deeply committed regarding his views. I usually drink but I just had a non-alcoholic drink. My meal was sirloin steak, followed by a pancake and ice cream.
Yusuf: You’ve got a certain image of how you picture someone backing Reform – a white T-shirt with a union jack or a loud, overweight man – and that was completely taken away. He was very pleasant. I’ve been 16 years sober, so I drank Diet Coke. And I ordered ribeye steak, which was gorgeous.
The Big Beef
Mark: Today's immigration rates cannot continue. Many individuals coming on small boats are hardworking and honest, but some aren’t. There is a risk of criminals or terrorists.
Yusuf: Imagine their position. People don't leave willingly a stable country with a decent life. These are individuals who have lost everything or who have been stripped of everything. Channel crossings represent a minor portion; most people entering into this country is entirely legal.
Mark: There is a moral issue to tempting skilled people to developed countries, since we contribute to shortages in other nations. A long-standing worry of mine is overpopulation of the UK, due to energy demands, water, health service, schools, homes, and so on. Additionally, some groups that live segregated lives and don’t come into contact with the rest of the population. I do think that is an issue – especially if immigrants are coming from countries where freedoms or gender equality are poor.
Yusuf: I mentioned my father's immigration Integrating takes time; people do what they would have done in their home country. A lot of the countries that Britain colonized, like India, had strong economies, but Britain exploited them and hindered their progress. It wasn't about taking back, but we moved to where opportunities are.
Common Ground
Mark: We both felt as people get very wealthy, no amount of money is enough. I'd advocate for taxing the rich.
Yusuf: Mark noted that Thatcher caused wealth inequality and mentioned her policies. He didn’t strike me as a Conservative!
For Afters
Mark: Nigel Farage does have the gift of the gab, isn't he? I would trust him with the economy, though reducing public spending will anger many so he might have to compromise. My vote will be hesitant because he’s given the impression unconcerned about the NHS; it would be sad to go down the private healthcare road. I worked in the NHS for 26 years. But I won’t vote Conservative or Labour; they’ve had their chance.
Yusuf: I mentioned to Mark: think about who your bedfellows in Reform are. There are unpleasant individuals, you’re not one of them, you disagree with them. Nigel Farage and Richard Tice, Richard Tice, are very rich businesspeople with little genuine interest in the nation, but seek to exploit popular fears and emotions to get elected.
Final Reflections
Mark: Since retiring, 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: It actually scares me that those considering Reform aren't all loud union jack-emblazoned thugs. Yet, I left hopeful that by talking respectfully some of those ideas, it's possible to shift people’s hearts and minds a little.
