It's Alarming That Prospective Reform Party Supporters Are Not All Tub-Thumping Hooligans

Yusuf, Birmingham

Profession: Economics Tutor and Content Creator

Past Votes: Labour Party. Yusuf identifies as “once called old centre-left. More left-wing than Starmer – and many feel the same”

Amuse Bouche: At an event by the motivational speaker Tony Robbins, who demonstrated that people are more capable than they think, Yusuf once walked over burning coals.

Mark, Walsall

Profession: Former Nurse, then Educator, currently Retired

Past Votes: Voted for various parties – previously Conservative Party while in the upcoming election he intends to support Reform

Personal Anecdote: He netted twice for England against Germany … at the wedding of his sister, who married a German (the English team lost).

For Starters

Mark: Since I had surgery to treat Parkinson's, it can be difficult speaking clearly. Yusuf is quite eloquent, and deeply committed regarding his views. I enjoy a drink but this time I had a blackcurrant with soda. I had a sirloin steak, followed by a pancake and ice cream.

Yusuf: You’ve got a certain image of how you picture a Reform voter looks like – a union jack T-shirt or a loud, overweight man – and that idea was shattered. He was quite friendly. I've been sober for 16 years, so I chose Diet Coke. And I ordered ribeye steak, which tasted amazing.

The Big Beef

Mark: Current levels of immigration are not viable. A lot of the people crossing in small boats are honest, prepared to work, but others are not. There is a risk of criminals or terrorists.

Yusuf: Put yourself in their shoes. Nobody abandons a good life 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. Small boat arrivals represent a minor portion; most people entering to the UK is completely legal.

Mark: There’s an ethical dimension to attracting skilled workers to developed countries, as we are creating shortages in other nations. Something I've worried about for years is UK overpopulation, because of energy security, water supply, healthcare system, schools, housing crisis, among other issues. Additionally, some groups that remain isolated and avoid integrating with the wider society. I believe this is a problem – particularly when migrants arrive from nations where freedoms or treatment of women are terrible.

Yusuf: I shared my dad's story We don't instantly become British; individuals maintain their customs from their homeland. Many nations under British rule, such as India, were economically advanced, but resources were extracted and caused decline. We didn't come to reclaim anything, but we came to where stuff is.

Sharing Plate

Mark: We both felt with extreme wealth, no amount of money is enough. I would want a wealth tax.

Yusuf: Mark said wealth inequality was all Thatcher’s fault and mentioned her policies. He didn’t strike me as a Conservative!

Dessert

Mark: Farage is a skilled speaker, doesn’t he? I would trust him with the economy, though reducing public spending will be unpopular so he might have to compromise. I'll vote reluctantly 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 failed before.

Yusuf: I said to Mark: think about who your bedfellows in Reform are. There are some really nasty people, 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 are trying to appeal to public anxieties and prejudices to get elected.

Takeaway

Mark: Since retiring, I lack insight into youth views compared to my teaching days. I enjoyed the evening very much.

Yusuf: I find it alarming that possible Reform supporters aren't all loud flag-waving extremists. But I came away feeling positive that by talking respectfully divisive issues, you might influence perspectives and beliefs.