It's Alarming How Potential Reform Party Supporters Aren't All Aggressive Hooligans
Yusuf, 47, Birmingham
Occupation: Economics Tutor & Digital Creator
Past Votes: Labour Party. Yusuf identifies as “formerly known as traditional centre-left. More left-wing than Starmer – who isn’t?”
Amuse Bouche: While attending a talk hosted by the motivational speaker Tony Robbins, showing that people are more capable than they think, Yusuf stepped on burning coals.
Mark, Walsall
Work: Ex- Nursing Professional, then Educator, now Retired
Political History: Voted for various parties – previously Conservative Party while in the upcoming election he’ll probably vote Reform
Personal Anecdote: He scored two goals for England versus Germany … at his sister's wedding of his sibling, whose spouse is German (England lost the match).
Initial Impressions
Mark: Since I had surgery for Parkinson’s, I sometimes have trouble speaking clearly. Yusuf is quite eloquent, and strongly opinionated in what he believes. I do drink but this time I had a non-alcoholic drink. My meal was sirloin steak, then a pancake with ice-cream.
Yusuf: There's a common stereotype of the typical someone backing Reform – a union jack T-shirt or a loud, overweight man – and that was completely taken away. He was quite friendly. I’ve been 16 years sober, so I chose Diet Coke. My main was ribeye steak, which was gorgeous.
Main Discussion
Mark: The present scale of immigration are unsustainable. Many individuals coming on small boats are genuine and willing to work, but some aren’t. They might be criminals or extremists.
Yusuf: Consider their situation. People don't leave willingly their homeland with a decent life. You’re talking about people with nothing left or everything’s been taken away from them. Small boat arrivals is a small percentage; the majority of migrants to the UK is entirely legal.
Mark: There is a moral issue to attracting skilled workers to developed countries, as we are creating a brain drain elsewhere. A long-standing worry of mine is UK overpopulation, due to energy demands, water resources, healthcare system, schools, homes, etc. Additionally, some groups that live completely parallel lives and avoid integrating with the wider society. This is concerning – especially if immigrants hail from places where human rights or women's rights are poor.
Yusuf: I shared my dad's story We don't instantly become British; they continue their traditions from their homeland. Several countries Britain colonised, like India, were well developed economically, but resources were extracted and caused decline. It wasn't about taking back, but we moved to where opportunities are.
Shared Views
Mark: We agreed when people become super affluent, no amount of money is enough. I would want a wealth tax.
Yusuf: Mark expressed that inequality stems from Thatcher and mentioned her policies. He didn't seem like a typical Conservative!
For Afters
Mark: Nigel Farage does have the gift of the gab, right? I would trust him with the economy, though reducing public spending will anger many so he may need to moderate his approach. I will vote with a heavy heart since he appears indifferent to healthcare; privatizing healthcare would be regrettable. 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 unpleasant individuals, you're different, your opinions differ. Farage and his colleague, Richard Tice, are wealthy entrepreneurs who are not truly concerned about Britain, but aim to tap into public anxieties and prejudices to get elected.
Conclusion
Mark: As a retiree, I don’t get the young person’s perspective unlike when I taught. I enjoyed the evening very much.
Yusuf: It's concerning that possible Reform supporters aren't all loud aggressive nationalists. Yet, I left hopeful that if you calmly discuss divisive issues, you may be able to change people’s hearts and minds a little.
