It is Frightening That Potential Reform Party Supporters Don't All Fit the Stereotype of Tub-Thumping Hooligans

Yusuf, 47, Edgbaston

Work: Economics Tutor and Digital Creator

Political History: Labour. He considers himself “what would have been old centre-left. Left of Starmer – and many feel the same”

Interesting Fact: At an event featuring inspirational speaker Tony Robbins, showing that people are more capable than they think, he stepped on hot coals.

Mark, 66, Walsall

Occupation: Ex- Nursing Professional, then Teacher, now Retired

Voting Record: Voted for various parties – in the last election Conservative while in the upcoming election he’ll probably vote Reform

Interesting Fact: Mark netted twice playing for England against Germany … at the wedding of his sister, who wed a German (England was defeated).

For Starters

Mark: Since I had surgery for Parkinson's disease, it can be difficult finding the words. Yusuf speaks well, and strongly opinionated regarding his views. I do drink but this time I had a blackcurrant with soda. I had a sirloin steak, followed by a pancake and ice cream.

Yusuf: There's a common stereotype of the typical a Reform voter looks like – patriotic clothing or a red-faced, portly kind of guy – and that perception was disproven. He was very pleasant. I haven't drunk alcohol in 16 years, so I drank Diet Coke. My main was ribeye steak, which was delicious.

Main Discussion

Mark: Current levels of immigration cannot continue. A lot of the people arriving by small boats are honest, prepared to work, but some aren’t. They could be criminals or terrorists.

Yusuf: Consider their situation. No one leaves a happy home their homeland and a secure existence. These are individuals who’ve got nothing or everything’s been taken away from them. Channel crossings is a small percentage; the majority of migrants into this country is completely legal.

Mark: There is a moral issue to luring professionals to a wealthy nation, because we’re causing shortages in other nations. A long-standing worry of mine is overpopulation of the UK, due to energy demands, water, healthcare system, education system, housing crisis, among other issues. And there are communities that live segregated lives and have little interaction with the wider society. I do think that is an issue – notably when newcomers are coming from countries where freedoms or gender equality are poor.

Yusuf: I talked about my dad coming here Integrating takes time; people do what they would have done in their home country. Many nations Britain colonised, like India, were economically advanced, but Britain went in and took stuff and set them back. It’s not like we came to get our stuff back, but we moved to where opportunities are.

Sharing Plate

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

Yusuf: Mark expressed wealth inequality was all Thatcher’s fault and talked about the historical seeds she had sown. He didn't seem like a typical Conservative!

Dessert

Mark: Farage is a skilled speaker, right? I'd trust him on the economy, but cutting public services will anger many so he might have to compromise. I'll vote reluctantly because he’s given the impression indifferent to healthcare; it would be sad to go down the private healthcare road. I worked in the NHS for 26 years. Yet, I refuse to vote for the main parties; they’ve had their chance.

Yusuf: I mentioned to Mark: consider who else supports Reform. There are unpleasant individuals, you don't fit that mold, you disagree with them. Nigel Farage and Richard Tice, Richard Tice, are wealthy entrepreneurs who are not truly concerned about Britain, but are trying to appeal to people’s worst fears and impulses to get elected.

Conclusion

Mark: As a retiree, I lack insight into youth views unlike when I taught. I enjoyed the evening very much.

Yusuf: It actually scares me that potential Reform voters don't all fit the image of aggressive nationalists. But I came away feeling positive that if you calmly discuss some of those ideas, it's possible to shift perspectives and beliefs.