It is Alarming That Potential Reform Party Supporters Aren't All Loud Hooligans

Yusuf, 47, Birmingham

Occupation: Economics Instructor & Digital Creator

Voting Record: Labour Party. Yusuf identifies as “once called old centre-left. More left-wing than Starmer – who isn’t?”

Amuse Bouche: During a seminar by life coach Tony Robbins, showing human potential, he once walked over hot coals.

Mark, 66, Walsall

Occupation: Ex- Nurse, then Lecturer, currently Retired

Political History: Voted for most parties – last time Conservative and next time he’ll probably vote Reform Party

Interesting Fact: Mark scored two goals representing England versus Germany … during the wedding of his sibling, who married a German (England was defeated).

First Course

Mark: Following my procedure for Parkinson’s, I sometimes have trouble speaking clearly. Yusuf is quite eloquent, and strongly opinionated regarding his views. I enjoy a drink but this time I had a blackcurrant and soda. I had a sirloin steak, followed by a pancake and ice cream.

Yusuf: You’ve got a certain image of what you think someone backing Reform – patriotic clothing or a red-faced, portly kind of guy – and that perception was disproven. He was very genial. I’ve been 16 years sober, so I had a Diet Coke. And a ribeye steak, which tasted amazing.

Main Discussion

Mark: The present scale of immigration cannot continue. Numerous migrants arriving by small boats are genuine and willing to work, but others are not. They might be criminals or extremists.

Yusuf: Put yourself in their shoes. People don't leave willingly a stable country and living a good life. These are individuals who have lost everything or who have been stripped of everything. Small boat arrivals represent a minor portion; most of the immigration into this country is completely legal.

Mark: There is a moral issue to attracting skilled workers to developed countries, because we’re causing shortages in other nations. Something I've worried about for years is UK overpopulation, because of energy security, water resources, health service, education system, housing, and so on. Additionally, some groups that live segregated lives and have little interaction with the wider society. I believe this is a problem – notably when newcomers hail from places where human rights or women's rights are terrible.

Yusuf: I shared my dad's story We don't instantly become British; individuals maintain their customs as in their native land. A lot of the countries under British rule, like India, were well developed economically, but Britain exploited them and caused decline. It wasn't about taking back, but we moved to where opportunities are.

Common Ground

Mark: We both felt when people become super affluent, they always want more. I'd advocate for taxing the rich.

Yusuf: Mark noted wealth inequality was all Thatcher’s fault and talked about the historical seeds she had sown. He didn’t strike me as a Conservative!

Dessert

Mark: Farage is a skilled speaker, isn't he? I would trust him with the economy, although austerity measures will anger many so maybe he’ll have to temper his intentions. I'll vote reluctantly since he appears indifferent to healthcare; privatizing healthcare would be regrettable. My career was in the NHS. Yet, I refuse to vote for the main parties; 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, your views are not their views. Farage and his colleague, Richard Tice, are wealthy entrepreneurs who don’t really care about the country, but are trying to appeal to popular fears and emotions to get elected.

Final Reflections

Mark: Now I’m retired, I'm less connected to younger generations compared to my teaching days. I had a great time.

Yusuf: It's concerning that possible Reform supporters don't all fit the image of flag-waving extremists. Yet, I left hopeful that by talking respectfully some of those ideas, it's possible to shift attitudes and opinions.