Bring up the bodies

Why should people not vote Reform UK? To limit the size of Labour’s majority. That’s it. That’s the reason.

Why should people vote Tory? Because Labour can’t be trusted, say those who conspired against, lied about, betrayed and stabbed in the back a democratically elected Prime Minister who had secured an 80-seat majority for them.

Why should people vote Labour? To make it easier for men to abuse women and girls.

Why should people vote Green? To bankrupt the country, turn off the lights, turn off the taps, and suffer permanent flatulence.

Why should people vote Lib Dem? For even more immigration.

Let’s go back to Reform UK. Apparently voting for them would mean the sky will fall in, so the political establishment has joined forces with the media to persuade people not to vote Reform. And why not? Reform is full of such horrid people, and their manifesto oscillates between depravity and incredulity. That’s ok then. Backing them into a corner, debating them into the ground, showing them up for what they are should be easy-peasy. Just ask basic proper questions. No need to make stuff up, misrepresent them, be unbalanced or rude, or engineer audiences and incidents. Just focus on what’s real, true, readily available, and it’s job done.

Do you see where I’m going with this? Look how it’s playing out – exactly how it shouldn’t play out if Reform UK were indeed dreadful. The only other explanation is that their detractors are so stupid that they can’t hit a stationary target from 12” away through a 12”-long funnel centred on the bullseye. Is 'the establishment' really deserving of our vote more than Reform UK?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not convinced by Farage. I’d enjoy a drink in the pub with him (see previous blog here) but that doesn’t mean I’d vote for him. There’s something about him I don’t like and trust, but do I like/trust him any less than Back-stabbing Sunak, Remainer Hunt, Two-homes Rayner, Cervix-confused Lammy, Horizon-denier Davey or Sewage-face Farron?

Let’s see. Of all I’ve mentioned, who answers questions most directly and clearly? Farage. Whose views have been the most consistent and reliable over the years? Farage. Who means what he says and does what he says? Farage, from Brexit to Bankers. Who’s treated the most unfairly by the media? Farage. Who’s asked the daftest, most puerile questions by the media and planted (it has to be said) audiences? Farage. Who not only contains the media, parries the media but gets the better of the media? Farage. Who treats all the electorate with respect and doesn’t dismiss or insult them for voting ‘the wrong way’? Farage.

Do you see where I’m going with this? If you don’t want people to vote Reform UK, please ping a solid, evidenced, intelligent reason in the comments. Don’t just say, because Putin is supporting them; I want evidence. Don’t just say, because he's to blame for Brexit; evidence why we’re not better off outside the EU. Don’t just say Reform’s policies are uncosted: cost them yourself and, even better, compare his promises with those of the other parties. Don't just say, to limit Labour's majority - a majority is a majority, whether by 2 or 200 seats. And finally, don’t just fall back on the Farage is Far-right thing; define what you mean by far-right then analyse Farage’s words and actions within that framework.

Another thing you could do, is demonstrate how the behaviour of right-of-centre (which is an accurate descriptive) Reform UK supporters compares with that of left-wingers, you know the likes of: Just Stop Oil, striking medical staff, pro-Hamas supporters, Sharia-law advocates, French election protestors, Glastonbury people-smuggler celebrants, and Badenoch bashers.

If you think people are wrong to stand in that voting booth with pencils poised over the Reform UK box, then justify your opinions intelligently and politely. Bring up the bodies. Or stand aside and let we the people vote according to conscience on the Fourth of July.