Dear Editor
IN reply to Bepi Pezzulli’s considerations, while the analysis is a fair one, I’d suggest that Reform’s real present difficulty is forming a shadow cabinet with only eight MPs.
Of course, that should not be a barrier to formulating policies in other areas, even if it means doubling up the workload of their MPs. The public clearly recognise the shortfall but are still more than happy to back Reform UK because they know there is no other viable contender on the right.
Kemi Badenoch is gaining popularity at the despatch box but though she talks a good talk, voters know instinctively that given the opportunity life under another Conservative government would be nothing more than a continuation of the last one. Why will that be? While our unwritten constitution provides that no government shall bind any future government, the reality is somewhat different. Labour and Conservative governments have governed the country over the last century and in order to provide a degree of stability have formed a tacit agreement not to repeal each other’s legislation; they merely add to it. The last Tory government proclaimed to end woke but instead in office they continued if not promoted it.
Transgender issues are a concern to voters, yet nothing was done. Stopping illegal migrants was entirely within Johnson’s power to achieve, yet we saw record numbers coming into the country. The same is the case with Labour.
This is precisely where Reform UK scores large. They have no allegiance with former parties and can, if they choose, sweep aside all legislation that holds the country back from a stable balance sheet. Only with determination and voters’ consent can the nation be put right. The Tories signed Net Zero into law without understanding what that meant. If they did understand, it was an act of gross negligence, if not self-harm.
Reform UK supporters want a return to more employment opportunities and a wholesale reduction in the benefits bill. That will come only by way of a return to being a manufacturing nation, which will rely primarily on massively cheaper energy. Financial services will never be a mass employer where the workforce can see a rosy future. Only Reform UK is prepared to deliver that. Reassure investors that the country is a viable centre for manufacturing, give British Steel a reason to exist and this country is waiting with open arms to take manufacturing through the next century.
So, in summary, Reform UK has to communicate better to the voters just how it will achieve economic stability, provide people with aspiration and hope for their futures and reduce public costs such as those incurred by the NHS (eg by charging overseas patients for medical services in the way Canada does). Make Britain a success where everyone can thrive if they have the will to do so. Let us once again be the land of opportunity.
Michael Cheyne
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