It's Concerning That Prospective Reform Party Voters Don't All Fit the Stereotype of Tub-Thumping Thugs
Yusuf, 47, Birmingham
Occupation: Economics Tutor and Digital Creator
Past Votes: Labour. He considers himself “once called moderate left. Left of Starmer – as do many others”
Interesting Fact: At an event by life coach Tony Robbins, who demonstrated that people are more capable than they think, he stepped on hot coals.
Mark, 66, Walsall
Profession: Former Nursing Professional, then Teacher, currently Retired
Voting Record: Voted for different parties – last time Conservative Party and next time he’ll probably vote Reform
Amuse Bouche: He scored two goals for England versus Germany … at the wedding of his sibling, whose spouse is German (the English team lost).
First Course
Mark: Following my procedure for Parkinson's disease, I occasionally struggle expressing myself. Yusuf is quite eloquent, and deeply committed regarding his views. I enjoy a drink but I just had a blackcurrant with soda. My meal was sirloin steak, then a pancake with ice-cream.
Yusuf: You’ve got a certain image of how you picture someone backing Reform – a union jack T-shirt 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. My main was ribeye steak, which tasted amazing.
Main Discussion
Mark: Today's immigration rates are not viable. A lot of the people arriving by small boats are hardworking and honest, though some are not. They might be criminals or extremists.
Yusuf: Put yourself in their shoes. People don't leave willingly a country where they are settled and a secure existence. They are people with nothing left or who are fleeing devastation. Small boat crossing represent a minor portion; most people entering to Britain is completely legal.
Mark: Ethically speaking to luring professionals to developed countries, because we’re causing a brain drain elsewhere. A concern I’ve had for years is Britain becoming overcrowded, given energy needs, water resources, NHS, education system, homes, and so on. And there are communities that live completely parallel lives and have little interaction with the rest of the population. This is concerning – notably when newcomers hail from places where freedoms or treatment of women are appalling.
Yusuf: I mentioned my father's immigration We don't instantly become British; people do what they would have done from their homeland. Several countries under British rule, such as India, were economically advanced, but Britain exploited them and hindered their progress. We didn't come to reclaim anything, but we moved to where opportunities are.
Sharing Plate
Mark: We agreed when people become super affluent, they always want more. I support a wealth tax.
Yusuf: Mark expressed wealth inequality was all Thatcher’s fault and talked about the historical seeds she had sown. He didn’t strike me as a Conservative!
Final Thoughts
Mark: Nigel Farage does have the gift of the gab, doesn’t he? I'd trust him on the economy, although austerity measures will upset a lot of people so maybe he’ll have to temper his intentions. I'll vote reluctantly as he seems unconcerned about the NHS; it would be sad to go down the private healthcare road. I spent 26 years in the NHS. However, I won't support Conservatives or Labour; they've had opportunities.
Yusuf: I said to Mark: think about who your bedfellows in Reform are. Some supporters are extreme, you don't fit that mold, your opinions differ. Farage and his deputy, Richard Tice, are affluent businessmen with little genuine interest in the nation, but seek to exploit public anxieties and prejudices for votes.
Conclusion
Mark: Now I’m retired, 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: I find it alarming that potential Reform voters don't all fit the image of aggressive nationalists. However, I felt encouraged that by talking respectfully certain topics, you might influence people’s hearts and minds a little.
