How did you vote and why today

Nanna8 is welcome to post- as are we all. We have things in common after all.

Australia faces many major political challenges of its own that are extremely similar to the UK- e.g:
1) cost of living pressures
2) a critical housing affordability crisis
3) the Australian government is battling high inflation, infrastructure strain and declining trust
4) Australia also has increasing political polarisation and voter shifts away from the traditional main political parties ( hence its Coalition centre left Government)
5) It also has high population growth and immigration levels leading to what is described as "hunger games"
6) Australia also experiences voter anxiety and calls for tax reform, such as modifying negative gearing and capital gains tax
7) Energy transition and climate change remains a complex high stakes policy challenge
8) Following a divisive constitutional referendum tensions remain high regarding indigenous affairs along with widespread dysfunction in some communities
9) Many regional communities feel neglected, contributing to dissatisfaction over healthcare, water access and infrastructure capacity.
10) Policy decisions are heavily influenced by the need to manage foreign interference and navigate shifting international alliances, particularly trade tensions associated with the US and China
11) High pressure on health systems , including aged care and mental health services is a major focus
12) Debates continue over boosting productivity while balancing employees rights
13) Concerns exist regarding the treatment of asylum seekers and children in detention, and debates around a national human rights act.

So we are all in it together! BUT, Australia seems to have bucked the trend towards right wing populism somewhat.

Australia has a centre -left coalition government that secured a second term with a land slide victory in the May 2025 federal election. The Australia government maintains stable polling despite all the pressures above. It is also shifting away from 2 party dominance. But any attempts towards right wing populism are not gaining traction in the same way as in other parts of the world.

Thus there has been a surge around the world of interest in Australia's political distinctiveness. Australia's democratic exceptionalism for many years has suddenly become a subject on everyone's lips. From overseas there are expressions of envy and marvelling at Australia's difference. Rory Stewart for example, amid the rafting of politics in the US and elsewhere has said "if liberal democracy has a future, it looks suprisingly Australian.

I've read that in contemporary Australia millennials and Gen Z are skewed markedly to left of centre politics and are not falling prey to right wing populism as in other countries.

Fascinating. Maybe Nanna8 has some insight as to why Australia is dealing with the same problems and pressures as the UK but right wing populism has not gained any strong traction.

Susieq62

Rosie51 because I have lived here for 75 years plus a year in Australia and I go to Australia every other year so I think I do know a bit more about the UK than a person who emigrated many years ago and has not LIVED here ! Rant over and conversation finished !!

I fail to see how your biannual visits to Australia are in any way relevant to your knowledge of the UK. Are you saying you accept Nanna knows far more than you about Australia as I recall you made a comment about it?

Maremia

An 'impression ' is one thing, but I prefer evidence of how they actually operate. How much has Farage actually done for Clacton?
That's how I would judge and value him.

I met him before the Brexit vote.

No doubt he his ego has inflated somewhat since then.

An 'impression ' is one thing, but I prefer evidence of how they actually operate. How much has Farage actually done for Clacton?
That's how I would judge and value him.

lemonjam It's so sad that we have lost our humanity somewhere along the way.

Rosie51 because I have lived here for 75 years plus a year in Australia and I go to Australia every other year so I think I do know a bit more about the UK than a person who emigrated many years ago and has not LIVED here ! Rant over and conversation finished !!

Susieq62

Allira those leaders need to be griped about as they have caused untold damage to the world economy , to the lives of others, to communities to my bank balance ! Starmer doesn’t even enter their categories in my view!! He is nowhere near perfect but he does care !!!!
I am now going to back off Nanna8 as I know more about my country than she does !!

I am now going to back off Nanna8 as I know more about my country than she does !!

And still you make it personal about Nanna8. How can you possibly be sure you know more about the UK than her? It's a bit arrogant to make that assumption.

Never trust a wide boy. They are easy to spot.

Primrose53

Galaxy

I don't vote reform but being lectured on homophobia and misogyny by people who voted for parties that placed women in prisons with males and parties that embraced the deep homophobia of medicalising children who will grow up to be gay is breathtaking. That's without talking about those waving the flag of a country that kills gay people for who they are.

I agree Galaxy.
I suspect that most of the people who voted Reform are also very, very concerned that we have now passed the 200,000 illegal immigrant total who have arrived on our shores since Starmer came to power.

It is beyond madness that they are still arriving and costing us a fortune!

Posters on here call others racist but it’s not racist to want to control our borders and, as I have said countless times on here, people who have settled here legally from all over the world agree.

My friend from Tanzania votes Reform because she came here legally and had to jump through every hoop they put in front of her so she feels it is very unfair for them to just wash up here and get handouts.

I can't find any posters that have called others racist on this thread- when did that happen?

Most likely your friend from Tanzania legally applied for either a skilled worker visa, a family visa, met the specific criteria and paid all the fees? And however many years later she then applied for indefinite leave to remain? Such applications, initiated from their country of origin, can still be made. It doesn't not involve "hand outs" and the immigration applicants pay their fees.

Support for legally controlled immigration, resulting in ILR seems to be agreed by the majority of posters. Reform UK however I understand seeks to make changes to the process and ILR status. I wonder how your fired would feel if her ILR status was adversely affected and at some stage was forced to leave the UK?

Those that "wash up here" as you describe however are generally asylum seekers, who arrive in small boats- a phenomenon that began after the UK left the EU.

What would be your proposal for those that "wash up here" as asylum seekers in order to ensure no hand outs whatsoever are made available to them? Does Reform Uk's proposals involve NOT providing even the bare minimum amount of food and water handouts to preserve life? Would Reform's proposals NOT even provide any "handouts" of accommodation for the duration of the time it takes to process their asylum application?

GrannyGravy13

Oh Allira my DH is an extremely charismatic person…

😁

Apologies, I am sure he's very trustworthy.

I was thinking Farage, Johnson etc.
Perhaps I should say "Never trust a charismatic politician" but then perhaps that should be "Never trust a politician."

Oh Allira my DH is an extremely charismatic person…

GrannyGravy13

I have met Nigel Farage, he comes across as a really nice guy, he gives the impression that he is interested in you along with actually listening to you.

Haven’t voted Reform as of yet.

(Independent in local and county, and incumbent MP in GE)

I suppose that means charisma.

Never trust a man with charisma!

Susieq62

Allira those leaders need to be griped about as they have caused untold damage to the world economy , to the lives of others, to communities to my bank balance ! Starmer doesn’t even enter their categories in my view!! He is nowhere near perfect but he does care !!!!
I am now going to back off Nanna8 as I know more about my country than she does !!

No idea what you're talking about unless you mean Albanese 🤷‍♀️

However, yes, that might be a good idea.

Does none of this worry Reform voters???

I think the answer is a glaringly obvious 'No'

foxie48

I can, to some extent, understand why people might be drawn to Farage. He's a good communicator and does have some charisma what I don't understand is people's ability to ignore the many "red flags" around his character and purpose. Farage's anti semitism is well documented, his links to Russian media and support of Russia's position on NATO and Ukraine are well known. His relationships with Oleg Voloshin, who was paying Nathan Gill for promoting Russian propaganda, and Yakovenka, the Russian Ambassador are very questionable. The millions that have been donated to Reform by people who choose not to pay British taxes but clearly want to buy influence are worrying including the latest revelation that Harborne gave a personal gift of £5million (not subject to tax!) to Farage which he forgot to declare. Surely this must raise some questions. Oh, his closeness to Bannon and Steve Miller in the US is also interesting........ I could go on and on and on. Does none of this worry Reform voters???

If you started a new thread with that post, I for one may reply.
Dont want to do that on this thread, and derail it.

I have met Nigel Farage, he comes across as a really nice guy, he gives the impression that he is interested in you along with actually listening to you.

Haven’t voted Reform as of yet.

(Independent in local and county, and incumbent MP in GE)

Allira those leaders need to be griped about as they have caused untold damage to the world economy , to the lives of others, to communities to my bank balance ! Starmer doesn’t even enter their categories in my view!! He is nowhere near perfect but he does care !!!!
I am now going to back off Nanna8 as I know more about my country than she does !!

foxie48

I can, to some extent, understand why people might be drawn to Farage. He's a good communicator and does have some charisma what I don't understand is people's ability to ignore the many "red flags" around his character and purpose. Farage's anti semitism is well documented, his links to Russian media and support of Russia's position on NATO and Ukraine are well known. His relationships with Oleg Voloshin, who was paying Nathan Gill for promoting Russian propaganda, and Yakovenka, the Russian Ambassador are very questionable. The millions that have been donated to Reform by people who choose not to pay British taxes but clearly want to buy influence are worrying including the latest revelation that Harborne gave a personal gift of £5million (not subject to tax!) to Farage which he forgot to declare. Surely this must raise some questions. Oh, his closeness to Bannon and Steve Miller in the US is also interesting........ I could go on and on and on. Does none of this worry Reform voters???

But nobody paid for him to have designer specs and he didn't buy his mum a field for rescued donkeys.

Some of the back stories of these people make the Epstein Files look like Postman Pat.

I can, to some extent, understand why people might be drawn to Farage. He's a good communicator and does have some charisma what I don't understand is people's ability to ignore the many "red flags" around his character and purpose. Farage's anti semitism is well documented, his links to Russian media and support of Russia's position on NATO and Ukraine are well known. His relationships with Oleg Voloshin, who was paying Nathan Gill for promoting Russian propaganda, and Yakovenka, the Russian Ambassador are very questionable. The millions that have been donated to Reform by people who choose not to pay British taxes but clearly want to buy influence are worrying including the latest revelation that Harborne gave a personal gift of £5million (not subject to tax!) to Farage which he forgot to declare. Surely this must raise some questions. Oh, his closeness to Bannon and Steve Miller in the US is also interesting........ I could go on and on and on. Does none of this worry Reform voters???

GrannyGravy13

Susieq62

Granny gravy fine but to gripe from Australia constantly gets a bit too much even for tolerant old me

How do you feel about all the UK GN members griping about Trump, Le Penne, Netanyahu or any other foreign leader?

It makes me feel really uncomfortable when nanna8 is ganged up on and told she has no right to post.

This is the country of her birth after all 🤷‍♀️

I meant to quote your post GrannyGravy but the thread moved on.

It is bullying, plain and simple.

AnnieGransnet asked posters to refrain earlier on the thread but still it persists.

In certain circumstances those who hold dual nationality are eligible to vote in UK elections and are therefore as entitled as any other British citizen to express their views.

GrannyGravy13

twaddle

I thought it was only people who voted for Brexit who got called names in here.

No Reform supporters along with Conservative, especially if they admitted to supporting Boris Johnson.

Because he was a proven liar and self serving individual?

It is possible to be concerned about uncontrolled migration and not vote Reform.

LemonJam

It makes you wonder whether:

1) Reform UK did vet all its candidates pre election and was not perturbed by any racist online comments
2) Reform UK failed to vet its candidates appropriately pre election so will respond to Hope Not Hate's vetting evidence made available
3) Allow these individuals to take office as Reform UK councillors as they condone such online comments

Of course they didn’t vet. There was no time. Just days before the deadline for nominations, Reform activists were repeatedly phoning anyone whose phone number they could obtain begging them to stand as a paper candidate. Some did and have been elected. Of course, they are now saying they don’t want to take up the post.

One example is racist Daniel Delaney. When challenged over his offensive social media posts he told newspapers he was no longer standing as a candidate but that he wasn't "really bothered" about it because he has "a lot to do."

He said: "I'm not standing now as a candidate for Clayton and Fairweather Green (Bradford) There’s only two standing now.”

He added: "And I won't be here for the elections - I will be on holiday and to tell you the truth I'm not really bothered.”

Nevertheless, his name remained on the ballot and he’s been elected.

How many more of these will there be? People who couldn’t care less but have been used by Reform to unseat experienced hard-working councillors.

The same thing went on for the 2024 GE, lots of paper candidates. We know that one slipped through, James McMurdock who was elected. It was soon revealed that he had a criminal record, had served a jail sentence for kicking his girlfriend. As we know, he later quit the party after it was revealed he had taken bounce bank loans on dormant companies, and now sits as an independent.

Speaking last night, in a nod to the public in-fighting on Kent CC and other councils, Farage told new councillors they needed to deal with disagreements in private. I’m now reading that new councillors on some councils had been ordered not to talk to the press before or after the election. So much for transparency.

www.ipswich.co.uk/we-dont-need-you-reform-shuts-door-on-local-media-hours-after-taking-control-of-suffolk-county-council/

Susieq62

Granny gravy fine but to gripe from Australia constantly gets a bit too much even for tolerant old me

How do you feel about all the UK GN members griping about Trump, Le Penne, Netanyahu or any other foreign leader?

It makes me feel really uncomfortable when nanna8 is ganged up on and told she has no right to post.

This is the country of her birth after all 🤷‍♀️