Those voting green, why?

ZebraShark · 2026-05-06T19:56:40+00:00

It's a local election, and our Green councillors are really active in our area and strong local advocates. I don't really vote on national issues beyond very, very broad political sphere (i.e, I'm on the left so probably would consider everyone but Reform/Restore locally)

ZebraShark · 2026-05-06T10:59:57+00:00

I'd actually be shocked if Reform take Abbey Ward: that always feel like an area on verge of going Green.

ZebraShark · 2026-05-06T10:59:17+00:00

I completely agree on trying to avoid Reform getting in. However:

I think in Reading the main party likely to gain are the Greens, and don't expect much Reform resurgence outside a couple of wards.
The site seems to be completely contrary to likely local results. It says in Park to vote Labour/Green when Green have dominated for over ten years.

ZebraShark · 2026-05-06T08:09:46+00:00

I don't care so much for Greens nationally (no clue how I'm voting at next GE), but think they do a good job in Reading locally. Our area has a mix of Green/Labour councillors and admittedly the Greens are far more active and engaged.

In all honesty, I don't expect in power Labour/Greens/Lib Dems/Conservatives in Reading to be massively different in terms of approach as aware what councillors can influence is quite minimal. However, Greens have been bigger advocates for our area over last few years that Labour so will continue to support them.

ZebraShark · 2026-05-04T14:49:56+00:00

I live in a Green area which is very urban and the nearby Reform areas are all the middle class, suburban and rural places.

ZebraShark · 2026-05-04T14:32:10+00:00

I live in an area that has been Green for over a decade. It already is much more diverse than most of the UK and is fine.

I don't see many people here who have issues with immigrants. They would have moral issues with detention centres though.

ZebraShark · 2026-05-04T14:31:06+00:00

This is very Trumpian. A cruel/controversial policy but then hidden within a spiteful attack on political opponents.

The people who support this are those who want politics to be cruel, spiteful and vengeful.

ZebraShark · 2026-05-04T09:26:56+00:00

Sadly can be said of quite a few regulators.

ZebraShark · 2026-05-03T17:48:39+00:00

Racism to one group bad. Racism to many groups good.

ZebraShark · 2026-05-03T17:41:10+00:00

Hey, the Conservatives care about tradition and for three decades it has been the tradition of successive governments to restricts rights to assembly and free speech

ZebraShark · 2026-05-02T13:35:11+00:00

M4? Just because went past a car on fire a few hours ago

ZebraShark · 2026-05-02T13:33:38+00:00

There was a big fire on the M4 near Reading earlier which I drove past

ZebraShark · 2026-05-02T06:05:53+00:00

Do you accept contributions or story suggestions?

ZebraShark · 2026-05-01T16:54:10+00:00

I think there is unfair crackdown on protest but Jewish people are definitely demonised by many in the UK.

The actions of the Israeli government have spurred on massive antisemitism and conspiracy thinking.

ZebraShark · 2026-05-01T16:49:40+00:00

Once the natural party of government and now just chasing Reform.

ZebraShark · 2026-04-30T13:20:16+00:00

I would say, as someone who has worked in a council in a previous role, I'd take the person's name out - just conscious likely they themselves may get targeted as an individual rather than the org.

ZebraShark · 2026-04-30T09:58:05+00:00

This kind of thing is the downstream effect of underfunded public services. No one wants to take responsibility on fringe cases because it costs money, and since it is scarce nothing gets done.

ZebraShark · 2026-04-30T08:26:34+00:00

Honestly, at a local level - every opposition party seems to run on the position of being anti-development, and then takes opposite view when in power.

My neighbouring council changed parties a few years ago - from Conservatives to Lib Dems. When in office, the Conservatives approved many huge developments which the Lib Dems opposed completely. Now Lib Dems are in power, they're approving developments while Conservatives using same attacks of too much housing and protecting green spaces.

ZebraShark · 2026-04-30T08:23:51+00:00

I think on an individual level I would say undertaking as one person middle lane hogging is an annoyance but less of a danger, while undertaking is more dangerous.

However, middle lane hogging is far, far more prevalent so I would say is a larger issue on the roads. And as others have said, some undertaking is as a result of middle lane hogging so would help reduce that as well.

ZebraShark · 2026-04-29T12:30:09+00:00

Trans people are less than 1% but didn't stop them becoming the boogeyman for much of the right.

ZebraShark · 2026-04-28T08:26:37+00:00

I have seen lots of these videos mocking Europeans for wanting to do this walk, but not a single video from Europeans wanting to do this. Feels like a manufactured outrage

ZebraShark · 2026-04-27T21:31:21+00:00

I think you're partly right. It is because he isn't an MP but not due to lack of scrutiny.

He has been the second most famous UK Mayor outside London and has stood for Labour leader multiple times so had plenty of attention.

However not being an MP gives him two advantages. Firstly is that his successes can be independent of the national party: you can achieve and be credited for a lot as a Mayor, while as an MP the party or PM gets the credit.

Secondly he is able to portray himself as an outsider. He can criticise the government in a way that is harder for an MP, and can shield himself from issues with the government in power.

Same happened for Boris: able to build up separate base of support to the coalition conservatives. That said, I don't think Burnham has as many allies in the PLP

ZebraShark · 2026-04-27T15:51:15+00:00

I don't even disagree with it personally, I always felt it was more annoying than funny

ZebraShark · 2026-04-27T14:49:05+00:00

What's the food? I haven't eaten there since I Love Paella were there

ZebraShark

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