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

Yusuf, Edgbaston

Work: Economics Teacher & Digital Creator

Past Votes: Labour Party. Yusuf describes himself as “once called traditional centre-left. Left of Starmer – as do many others”

Amuse Bouche: While attending a talk by inspirational speaker Tony Robbins, who demonstrated personal limits, Yusuf walked across hot coals.

Mark, Walsall

Occupation: Former Nursing Professional, then Teacher, now Retired

Voting Record: Voted for different parties – in the last election Conservative and in the upcoming election he’ll probably vote Reform Party

Interesting Fact: He once scored twice playing for England facing Germany … during the wedding of his sister, who married a German (England lost the match).

For Starters

Mark: Since I had surgery for Parkinson’s, I occasionally struggle finding the words. Yusuf is very articulate, and very passionate about his beliefs. I usually drink but I just had a non-alcoholic drink. My meal was sirloin steak, then a pancake with ice-cream.

Yusuf: There's a common stereotype of how you picture someone backing Reform – a white T-shirt with a union jack or a red-faced, portly kind of guy – and that was completely taken away. He was very pleasant. I’ve been 16 years sober, so I drank Diet Coke. And I ordered ribeye steak, which tasted amazing.

Main Discussion

Mark: The present scale of immigration are unsustainable. Many individuals coming on small boats are hardworking and honest, though some are not. They could be criminals or terrorists.

Yusuf: Put yourself in their shoes. No one leaves a happy home a stable country with a decent life. These are individuals who have lost everything or everything’s been taken away from them. Small boat crossing represent a minor portion; the majority of migrants to the UK is completely legal.

Mark: Ethically speaking to luring professionals to a wealthy nation, because we’re causing shortages in other nations. A long-standing worry of mine is UK overpopulation, because of energy security, water, health service, education, housing crisis, and so on. Moreover, certain communities that live segregated lives and avoid integrating with other Britons. I believe this is a problem – notably when newcomers arrive from nations where human rights or gender equality are terrible.

Yusuf: I shared my dad's story We don't instantly become British; people do what they would have done in their home country. A lot of the countries that Britain colonized, like India, had strong economies, but resources were extracted and set them back. We didn't come to reclaim anything, but we sought better prospects.

Sharing Plate

Mark: We both felt as people get very wealthy, money is never sufficient. I support a wealth tax.

Yusuf: Mark noted that inequality stems from Thatcher and mentioned her policies. He didn’t strike me as a Conservative!

Final Thoughts

Mark: Nigel Farage does have the gift of the gab, right? I believe in his economic plans, though reducing public spending will anger many so he may need to moderate his approach. My vote will be hesitant since he appears he’s not interested in the NHS; moving to private care is disappointing. I worked in the NHS for 26 years. But I won’t vote Conservative or Labour; they've had opportunities.

Yusuf: I told Mark: consider who else supports Reform. There are unpleasant individuals, you don't fit that mold, your opinions differ. Farage and his colleague, Richard Tice, are wealthy entrepreneurs who are not truly concerned about Britain, but are trying to appeal to popular fears and emotions to get elected.

Final Reflections

Mark: Now I’m retired, I'm less connected to younger generations unlike when I taught. The dinner was enjoyable.

Yusuf: It's concerning that those considering Reform aren't all loud union jack-emblazoned thugs. But I came away feeling positive that by talking respectfully some of those ideas, you might influence attitudes and opinions.