It's Frightening How Potential Reform Party Voters Aren't All Aggressive Hooligans

Yusuf, Edgbaston

Occupation: Economics Instructor & Content Creator

Past Votes: Labour Party. Yusuf describes himself as “once called traditional centre-left. To the left of Starmer – who isn’t?”

Personal Anecdote: While attending a talk by inspirational speaker Tony Robbins, who demonstrated human potential, Yusuf walked across burning coals.

Mark, 66, Walsall

Occupation: Ex- Nurse, then Lecturer, currently Retired

Political History: Voted for various parties – last time Conservative while next time he intends to support Reform Party

Interesting Fact: Mark scored two goals playing for England facing Germany … during the wedding of his sibling, who married a German (England lost the match).

First Course

Mark: After my operation for Parkinson's disease, it can be difficult speaking clearly. Yusuf is very articulate, and very passionate about his beliefs. I enjoy a drink but I just had a non-alcoholic drink. I had a sirloin steak, and dessert was pancake with ice cream.

Yusuf: People often imagine of the typical someone backing Reform – patriotic clothing or a loud, overweight man – and that was completely taken away. He was very genial. I've been sober for 16 years, so I drank Diet Coke. And I ordered ribeye steak, which was gorgeous.

Key Debate

Mark: The present scale of immigration are unsustainable. Many individuals coming on small boats are honest, prepared to work, but some aren’t. There is a risk of criminals or terrorists.

Yusuf: Imagine their position. No one leaves a happy home a country where they are settled with a decent life. They are people who’ve got nothing or everything’s been taken away from them. Channel crossings are only a fraction; most people entering to the UK is through legal means.

Mark: Ethically speaking to luring professionals to developed countries, since we contribute to shortages in other nations. Something I've worried about for years is UK overpopulation, given energy needs, water supply, health service, education system, housing, etc. Additionally, some groups that remain isolated and avoid integrating with other Britons. This is concerning – particularly when migrants arrive from nations where freedoms or treatment of women are poor.

Yusuf: I talked about my dad coming here It’s not like we suddenly become British; they continue their traditions in their home country. Several countries under British rule, such as India, were economically advanced, but resources were extracted and set them back. It wasn't about taking back, but we came to where stuff is.

Common Ground

Mark: We concurred with extreme wealth, money is never sufficient. I'd advocate for taxing the rich.

Yusuf: Mark said that Thatcher caused wealth inequality and discussed her legacy. He didn't seem like a typical Conservative!

Final Thoughts

Mark: Nigel Farage does have the gift of the gab, isn't he? I would trust him with the economy, but cutting public services will upset a lot of people so he may need to moderate his approach. My vote will be hesitant since he appears unconcerned about the NHS; moving to private care is disappointing. I worked in the NHS for 26 years. Yet, I refuse to vote for the main parties; they've failed before.

Yusuf: I said to Mark: reflect on Reform's allies. Some supporters are extreme, you don't fit that mold, your views are not their views. Farage and his colleague, Richard Tice, are very rich businesspeople with little genuine interest in the nation, but aim to tap into people’s worst fears and impulses for votes.

Takeaway

Mark: As a retiree, I'm less connected to younger generations as much as I did when I was a lecturer. I enjoyed the evening very much.

Yusuf: I find it alarming that potential Reform voters don't all fit the image of aggressive nationalists. Yet, I left hopeful that through calm discussion some of those ideas, you may be able to change perspectives and beliefs.