When I read that Nigel Farage's new political party, Reform UK, were doing so well in the polls, I genuinely wondered why and how!
At present they are allegedly more popular than both Labour and The Tories. The reason for this must be their proposed manifesto; it can't be for any other reason. They are a brand-new party, they only have 5 MP's, and no track record.
I don't have time, or interest, in showing you their complete manifesto, but here are just a few of the more 'catchy' proposals.
No-one will begin to pay Income Tax on a salary/wage below £20,000.
They wish to scrap Stamp Duty on house purchases below £750,000.
They will abolish Inheritance Tax on all legacies under £2 Million.
They will reduce Fuel Tax by 20p per Litre.
They wish to cut Foreign Aid by 50%
They will ditch all attempts at Net Zero.
And, of course, they will stop illegal immigrants, and deport all foreign criminals.
Well, I wouldn't be surprised if people voted for them if all this was achievable. But somehow it all seems too good to be true. Where is the money coming from to pay for essentials such as Defence, Education, and Health? I failed to see any policies that would raise enough money to pay for all the promises.
However, voters don't really care about practicalities. Just a year ago the country voted for a party that promised 'change'; now they've seen what that 'change' actually looks like, they're all jumping ship and looking for someone else to vote for next time. That person seems to be Nigel Farage.
So, who is Farage? He was educated at Dulwich, after which he worked in The City for various firms of Commodity Traders. He later became an EU-sceptic MEP, often making controversial speeches in Brussels. He led the UK Independence Party from 2006 to 2016, and was elected MP for Clacton in 2024, when he founded his Reform UK party. He's also a friend of Tr*mp.
Now he wants to become the British Prime Minister. It might well happen! PMQ's would certainly be more entertaining.
p.s. I now see that Reform UK are being predicted to win 290 seats at the next election. THAT remains to be seen.
Interesting. Personally I don't agree with such a high threshold before paying tax - all income should be taxed, so that we all have skin in the game, and realise that there is no free lunch - the government has to be paid for.
ReplyDeleteI would, however, drastically cut the size of the state + after all we managed to run an empire stretching across half the world with a few thousand in the Foreign Office, so why do we need such an immense and grossly inefficient state now?
Farage is very much a 'marmite' figure - people seem very much to either like or hate him, but he has a track record that few others can match, having been largely responsible for Brexit, whether you think that was a good or bad thong.
I have always been in favour of a fixed rate Income Tax for all; say 10%. So much easier, and you know where you stand. Farage has a big smile, he smokes and drinks, and he seems to be offering a much better way of life. How could he fail!
DeleteCorbin is back on the scene, wanting to start another new party, God help us all!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry, he doesn't even seem to know about the other member. At least Farage has FIVE members of his parliamentary party!
DeleteInteresting times ahead...
ReplyDeleteInteresting indeed. I can hardly wait.
DeleteIf Farage and his ragtag gang are elected to government, those who voted for them will soon have their rose-coloured spectacles blasted away by harsh reality. Reform UK? More like Deform UK!
ReplyDeleteI can't see how they could possibly keep all those promises; just like Starmer's No Council Tax Increases, et al.
DeleteKeep up with the news Cro. There are now four (sorry FOUR) Reform MPs.
ReplyDeleteI though the 'fifth' one had just resigned the whip; not quit the party as such..
DeleteDefinitely a marmite politician. Yet he appears to be the man of the people with a pint in his hand. All the other leaders are dull as ditch water in comparison. I would find it very difficult to vote for any politician these days.
ReplyDeleteWhich is why I didn't bother to vote last year; the choice was awful.
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