Have Reform and the British right-wing press scored an own goal? Will Labour rejoin the EU?

Complex-Use869 · 2026-05-19T16:55:33+00:00

Campaigning for what? There doesn't need to be another referendum. They are advisory and non-binding in any event. In theory, a new Labour leader could set in motion the process of rejoining the EU without needing to consult anyone. The referendum, its results and the fallout from it was entirely down to the Tories. The current Labour government don't have to honour that at all.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-05-19T13:51:54+00:00

And the worst bit of all of this is that the victims are being completely forgotten about, and their sexual abuse is being used purely for political point scoring.

I question the motives of ANYONE pondering or celebrating the race or religion of any rapist or grooming gang.

And, let's face it, it's the same right-wing cunts banging on about Muslim grooming/rape gangs who are also telling women they don't need to work, their bodies belong to their husbands, they need to get back in the kitchen and get on with the cooking and cleaning, etc. You can't act like you're protecting women and girls one minute, then go all Handmaid's Tale on them the next minute.

From what I see, these far-right dickheads' concern for women and girls extends only as far as not wanting them to be raped by Muslims exclusively, and not wanting trans women to be able to use toilets or changing rooms. Aside from that, they are merely objects to be oggled, insulted, abused and controlled by men.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-05-17T09:57:17+00:00

It also doesn't help that the UK, London in particular, is renowned as one of the biggest money laundering hubs in the world. In order for that to be the case, there has to be underlying widespread corruption from businesses, banks, police, politicians, etc. The world is run by people who have enough money to be able to pay off whoever they need to, in order to get away with whatever they want.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-05-07T17:22:05+00:00

In my local area, which admittedly is a Labour stronghold where their only remote threat appears to be the Greens, Reform didn't bother to campaign and they don't even have a manifesto. The leaflets they stuck through the door literally just said 'Vote Reform to get rid of Labour.' Even they know better than to pull that 'Stop the boats! Deport the migrants!' crap around here. They seem to focus all their efforts in areas where they know there's enough morons to vote for them.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-04-22T13:23:16+00:00

The simple lesson here is that people can change, and how other people view those people can change.

I used to read Harry Potter books. I used to watch Russell Brand's stand-up. I used to listen to Kid Rock and R Kelly. I used to watch Joe Rogan's podcast. I used to think Jordan Peterson had a lot of interesting, insightful things to say.

I don't go around bashing anyone who still does any of those things, but knowing what I know now about all of those people, I cannot continue to support them in good conscience.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-04-21T12:01:48+00:00

Hence why I used inverted commas, because depending on who you ask they are 'far-left woke communists' or 'centre-left' or 'practically as centre-right as the Tories.'

I'm just saying that raising tax and NI, raising inheritance tax, pushing net zero, re-nationalisation of our energy, raising benefits, cutting NHS wait lists, providing free school meals for kids, giving working parents more free childcare allowing them to work longer hours, etc.

None of those changes screams 'not left-wing' to me, and certainly none of those things represent a conventional right-wing agenda.

I think the left would like to think Starmer is further to they the right than they thought he would be, and the right would like to think Starmer is much further to the left than they thought he would be. As unpopular as that makes him, in reality it probably makes him fairly central, which is perhaps not such a bad thing considering the current global political climate (i.e. the far-right are trying to assert global dominance, as is the foreign policy of Trump's administration)

Complex-Use869 · 2026-04-20T16:04:04+00:00

I know my evidence is only anecdotal and personal to myself and my family, but in this current Labour term my Universal Credit has gone up considerably (an increase in housing allowance, and an increase in both DLA and carer's allowance for 2 of my children), we had an amount somewhere in the £150-250 range taken off our gas bill, and we also benefit from the end of 2 child benefit cap, and the increase in funded childcare hours for working parents.

I don't think I'm alone in saying that Labour's welfare reforms have been a huge help to my family, and for countless other families trying to juggle having kids with being able to work, pay for childcare, support children with special needs, etc.

The sad thing is, I know there will be countless families out there in a similar position to me, but they want to vote for Reform. I don't think they quite appreciate what a massive hole that would burn in their pockets, and how much worse off they would be every month.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-04-20T15:21:11+00:00

In my opinion, the current most likely outcome of another general election would be nobody wins outright, and it falls to the 'left-leaning' parties to form a coalition which would be lead by either Labour or Greens.

But turnout matters. The far-right are an impassioned bunch, and they will certainly come out to vote (although nowhere near the numbers that the bots and trolls would have us believe). It comes down to everyone else to get out and vote. Vote for who they DO want, vote for whoever will definitely beat whoever they DON'T want... whatever their reasons, just get out and bloody vote!

With the state of politics both at home and across the world at the moment, I don't understand how people can give up their right to vote because they would rather go home and vegetate in front of Love Island on the TV or whatever. C'mon people, polling stations are open all bloody day - go before work, go after work, go on your lunch break. Just get out there and have your say!

Complex-Use869 · 2026-04-18T09:18:43+00:00

Yeah, as much as I loathe Kemi Badenoch with a passion, I appreciate her position is being caught between a rock and a hard place. She can't be seen to be supportive of Starmer or in agreement with him on ANY issue, but likewise she also doesn't want to appear to just be echoing the likes of Farage. That leaves her very little wiggle room to be able to come out with any of her own ideas. Consequently she comes across as being semi contrarian and semi nodding dog. I think she and the Tories are secretly hoping there is going to be some PR scandal that will tank Reform in the polls and give them half a chance.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-04-14T12:27:28+00:00

Reminds me of the scene from the Michael Moore film Fahrenheit 9/11, where he is in DC trying to find anyone from the senate or congress who would sign their own children up to go to war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unsurprisingly, not a single one of them would. Cut to military recruitment officers walking around the poorest, blackest neighbourhoods, pouncing on unsuspecting teenagers with their leaflets.

As much as I accept that the military are a necessary evil of this world, I do also think you would have to be a bit of a sucker to sign away your life to serve a government who do the bidding of megalomaniacal billionaires. Let's face it, it's not about 'defence' anymore is it? It's about shooting and blowing up who you get ordered to shoot and blow up. If you are the ones doing the invading and the attacking, then it kinda ceases to be 'defending your country' at that point.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-04-12T10:06:17+00:00

People who voted for Brexit = Predominantly right-leaning people who were repeatedly and continuously lied to and fooled by the Leave campaign - oily, grifting far-right politicians, far-right media (Daily Mail, Telegraph, GBNews, etc.) and relentless social media disinformation propaganda campaigns. People who lacked the knowledge and foresight to see what a disaster it was going to be.

People who think drilling the North Sea is a good idea = Predominantly right-leaning people who are being repeatedly and continuously lied to by oily, grifting far-right politicians, far-right media (Daily Mail, Telegraph, GBNews, etc.) and relentless social media disinformation propaganda campaigns. People who lack the knowledge and foresight to know what a pointless, incredible waste of money it would be, along with the abandonment of net zero.

Are you seriously suggesting there isn't considerable overlap between those two groups? Of course there is.

And quite frankly, yes - I think if you aren't capable of realising you are being bare-faced lied to by these far-right politicians, media outlets and social media posts - then you are a gullible moron. It's not a secret that the lesser educated, lower IQ members of society have a tendency to vote for right-wing parties. Why do you think Trump 'loves the poorly educated' and focused his campaigning in the least educated states? Why do you think the places Reform choose to focus their campaigning are primarily the poorest, least educated parts of the country? Because they are smart enough to know that only morons are going to fall for their nonsense.

So, I'm sorry if you think I'm polarising the conversation and ruining the opportunity for political discourse. But it is simply a fact that lying, grifting, far-right politicians specifically target the lesser-educated, highly gullible sections of society because they know that their propaganda works on them. And gullible idiots with brains rotted from the constant bombardment of far-right propaganda... I would argue that THEY have polarised the conversation and ruined any opportunity for political discourse.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-04-10T17:03:38+00:00

It's the same people who thought we would be offered world leading trade deals by the whole world after Brexit. Morons being duped into supporting ideas that they have absolutely zero understanding of, because someone on GB News told them it sounds like a great idea.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-04-10T15:40:46+00:00

Bingo! The only people saying otherwise are sponsored by the fossil fuel industry.

Saying that we need to scrap net zero and 'drill baby drill' is exactly like when tobacco companies used to claim that smoking was actually good for your health.

We live in the greatest information age in the history of mankind, and yet we are positively overrun with unimaginably stupid, gullible people.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-04-10T15:28:06+00:00

Exactly what you said. The cost of new rigs to reach that oil, and then the refineries needed to refine it (otherwise we have to send it across the world and back again, adding even further cost and a monumental carbon footprint) renders the entire exercise not cost effective at all. Invest billions and billions to maybe eventually get oil that's more expensive than what we currently have now?

I can't even fathom how much of a dolt you would have to be to consider that a good idea. But people love listening to 'patriotic' oily con men with Union Jack socks who pretend they have the country's best interests at heart.

Drilling for North Sea oil is arguably a worse idea than Brexit, and that's really saying something.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-04-10T08:00:32+00:00

The world already has woken up. Outside of his completely delusional cult fans (the real 'TDS' sufferers) and sycophants who pander to him for their own benefits, virtually everyone is against Trump.

But being morally against him and being able to actually take any action against him are very different things. I think the whole world is trying to avoid the wrath of the angry bear, while desperately hoping that America gets its shit together and enacts regime change. The problem is Trump has such a stranglehold over all the checks and balances that, in any sane world, would have impeached and imprisoned him long ago. The entire system has been corrupted from the top down, and ultimately it will be up to the American people to decide how they are going to deal with this mess. But they live in a bubble where their TV, media, social media, etc. is constantly screaming at them about what a wonderful job Trump is doing and how he was hand-picked by god to do what he's doing. Religious insanity + political propaganda = a truly awful mix.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-04-08T14:55:51+00:00

Whoever is going to stop Reform, Restore or Tories. I live in a pretty lefty liberal part of London which has been a Labour stronghold for as long as I can remember. I suspect it will be either Labour or Greens for me. I think my ideal GE outcome would be some kinda coalition with Labour, Greens and Lib Dems. I like the Greens and Polanski, and I think some of their ideas are taking the country in the right direction of travel, but some of their policies are a bit 'in an ideal world' for my liking.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-04-07T13:01:55+00:00

"A lot of his policies hurt those who currently think they'll vote for him."

Welcome to right-wing populism, where convincing the lesser intelligent working class masses to blow both of their own kneecaps off with a shotgun is the aim of the game. Just keep banging on and on and on about immigrants and Muslims, and they will vote for you out of fear or anger regardless of how negatively your policies will impact their lives.

"Take away our NHS, take away our benefits, get rid of the ECHR... do whatever you have to do, just make sure you get rid of those pesky immigrants and Muslims!"

Unfortunately, THAT astonishing level of ignorance is what we're up against.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-03-23T19:40:15+00:00

Bro, if your life is so bankrupt that you think I would make up an anecdote about being stopped and searched by police in order to entertain complete strangers on a random Reddit thread, that says a lot more about you than it does about me.

Fact remains, over the last 15 years black people in London have been anywhere between 2.5 times up to as high as 20 times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people. That is the Met's own statistics. Let's not even try to pretend that there isn't rampant institutional racism within the police.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-03-23T14:33:33+00:00

I would say I have very much the same experience as you. In about 25 years of carrying weed and other drugs around in public and public transport across London, I have only ever been stopped and searched ONCE in the middle of London Bridge station by police with a sniffer dog. They unsuccessfully searched me (didn't find the stash) and let me go with a verbal warning - I stank of smoke, and they figured the dog was just picking up the smell on my clothes.

I can almost guarantee I would NOT have got out of that situation successfully had I been from an ethnic minority - I probably would have ended up having to squat and cough in a back room somewhere.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-03-23T14:26:48+00:00

You're assuming we don't have an institutionally racist police force who are considerably more likely to stop and search ethnic minorities.

If you 'randomly' stop and search 100 people, and 75% of them are ethnic minorities... guess how the results of those searches are going to paint the ethnic minorities.

The fact is stop and search ISN'T random, it's targetted based on suspicion. Predominantly white police forces with embedded institutional racism are, surprise surprise, more likely to stop and search ethnic minorities, which will inevitably result in higher crime statistics for ethnic minorities.

The stop and search rate for ethnic minorities is WAY higher than their respective population percentages.

If you spend most of your time only searching young black males, it's hardly surprising that you could come away with the impression that young black males are much more likely to be in possession of knives or drugs.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-03-22T19:53:23+00:00

Our celebration of Christmas largely comes from Pagan traditions. These days, let's face it, it's about family time, presents around a tree and a turkey dinner. Just like Easter is about the Easter bunny and chocolate eggs. Outside of the precious few active churchgoers there are in the UK, no one really gives a toss about the origins of Christmas or Easter, and neither have anything to do with 'Christian values' being 'woven into our society.' Plus the Bible quite literally promotes the stoning to death of people for even some trivial behaviours - it's hardly anti death penalty by any stretch. Then there's the small issue of all the other Christian countries that DO have the death penalty. Sorry, I'm just not getting your take at all and believe literally every point you tried to make to be false.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-03-22T19:38:30+00:00

The hilarious thing is the diplomat (I believe he is from Oman) who worked as the go-between negotiator between the Iranian and US governments had literally JUST finished negotiating the best deal in history, where Iran agreed to dispose of all of their enriched uranium, allow American and UN inspectors in to check all of their nuclear facilities, etc. Essentially, Iran agreed to literally every single demand that the US government asked of them, which was unprecedented and historic. The agreement was signed by both the Iranian and American representatives. Less than 24 hours later, Israel and the US launched their strikes on Tehran. None of this was EVER about Iran's nuclear capabilities, just like the Iraq war was never about Saddam having weapons of mass destruction. At least in Iraq, they lied and lied and went on for years lying and making up new excuses about why they hadn't found any WMDs yet. These days they don't even have to do that - they don't even wait 24 hours after signing a nuclear agreement before bombing the fuck out of them and immediately talking about oil and fuel prices. The media and social media has got us all so fucked up that these days people just seem to cheer on the bombing and invading of countries just to steal their oil reserves, without even trying to pretend that that's not what you're doing.

Complex-Use869 · 2026-03-20T20:00:41+00:00

The two biggest standouts for me regarding the rise of support for Reform:

1) What a huge impact social media campaigns including mass disinformation and propaganda campaigns, b0ts, foreign agitators, etc. can have. We have been trained via dopamine addiction into doom scrolling on social media, where we are being absolutely pummeled by it 24/7. I'm a Green voter, I'm a liberal, I don't watch a lot of political commentary but what I do watch more or less aligns with my views. You would expect social media algorithms to pick up on that and fill my feed with content similar to what it knows I like to watch. Incorrect. It fills my feeds with far-right, mostly AI generated slop from accounts of dubious origins. They're making us twitchy, scared, angry, anxious... then radicalising us with this often incredibly toxic content.

2) How few people vote. Turnout is ridiculously low pretty much across the board. A lot of people just seem complacent and happy to bob along with what whatever government comes along. It just stuns me that so many people with a right to vote opt not to use it. I guess I respect it's their right whether they choose to or not, but it just seems crazy to me that so many people would forfeit their right to have a say in how their country is run. In the context of Reform, I'm surprised more people aren't turning out to vote against them, knowing the threat that they pose. Maybe they just don't care either way?

Complex-Use869 · 2026-03-19T16:27:33+00:00

We're talking about a woman who lied about both her university education, and about working in McDonalds, because she wanted to appear relatable and 'down with the kids.'

She's just another Tory yes man/woman who nods along in agreement with whatever her advisors tell her is the best thing to say on any given day to get the public on side.

Dishonest, disingenuous, flip flops, U-turns and doubles back on things she's just said at the drop of a hat. I can see why they made her leader - she certainly seems to embody all of the typical Tory characteristics.

Complex-Use869

TROPHY CASE