REFORM’S VIEW ON WELFARE/ BENEFITS

Robert Jenrick attended St John's College Cambridge and is a qualified solicitor.

He is not a fool.

There seems to be some major double standards going on.

We can't be complaining about name calling or disabled people all being tarred with the same brush in one thread and then doing exactly the same to other people in another.

You can be educated and still a fool. Jenrick - a former Tory and minister in Rishi Sunak's cabinet - is a classic example of that.

All this is correct. As for why Reform supporters keep criticising peopel who oppose them, it's because right wingers in general are more vocally against anyone calling out their party.

Just to make one thing clear I do not support nor have I ever voted for Reform.

I just do not like all the name calling which I have never done and the nastiness that is directed on one party that has never been in power. I think it should be a more balanced discussion.

Just as others are allowed their opinion I am allowed mine.

He was a remainer and quite a centrist Conservative, right up until he fancied leading the party. He lost to Kemi Badenoch, and a good thing too in my opinion.

I try to accept( don't always succeed) someone holding an opposing view, but to volte-face in the way he did, I can't and won't accept.

I hope you continue to post @LIVEDANDLEARNED; personally, I keep myself well-informed and don't consider it being 'sucked in' which is a cop-out term to silence debate and to close minds.

In an effort to move debate forwards, as opposed to some of the criticism here directed towards those expressing their view, I advocate looking at the great charitable trust, 'Hope Not Hate' which carries out research, education, community engagement and which challenges extremism.

Their non-charitable arm - Hope not Hate Limited (08188502 is their registered company at Companies House) - this is an Advisory and Campaigning group. They were instrumental in the defeat of the BNP in Barking & Dagenham c 2010.

They're led by Nick Lowles who has been a prominent campaigner, author and investigative journalist for over 30 years. They are the UK's leading anti-racism and anti-extremism movement and Lowles was awarded an MBE in 2016 and has been commended by the Dept for Education for his work in schools, particularly for their efforts to reach young people as they develop their political and cultural understanding.

Their reports 'Reform UK: What you Need to Know' and 'Plugged in but Disconnected' are very informative with facts and figures including the demographics of the 5 'groups' of Reform supporters.

With the full facts, nothing hidden, people can make their own minds up.

There was an awkward moment I saw with Robert Jenrick and his former colleague (and former friend), Victoria Atkins on BBC during the 'post mortem' following the local elections.

Jenrick said something to the effect of 'To have trust in politics make sure you do what you say you're going to do'......

I'll take him at his 'word' (ominous in my view) and believe him - and make sure I keep on being well-informed which, to me, is crucial, particularly in the current climate and the ever-growing right, and far-right.

Finally, policies are key but I don't rate charisma necessarily (no 'magnetic charm' needed here 😊) but I focus on behaviours, words and actions too. 'Scare-mongering' I've seen written in some of these discussions here - I prefer to call it what it is: being awake and aware, I can always scroll on if it's not something I'm interested to engage in or if I think it may be harmful in some way to my sensibilities - especially when the Thread is accurately titled as this one is. Forewarned and all that.....