A poll like this suggests that Farage and his minions have a low electoral ceiling. The problem is that, with our electoral system, you can become the Opposition with 24% of the vote and you can form a government with 30%. - ThreadSky

gregorynorminton.bsky.social • 81 days ago

A poll like this suggests that Farage and his minions have a low electoral ceiling. The problem is that, with our electoral system, you can become the Opposition with 24% of the vote and you can form a government with 30%.

Reposted from Mike Galsworthy

YouGov has just done a poll on whether Brits are happy or unhappy that Trump was elected US president:

Unhappy: 60%
Happy: 16%

They then asked them to say why, in their own words, they felt this way.

Leading "unhappy" reason: He's a criminal
Leading "happy" reason: He's not Harris/Biden/Democrats

Comments

adaloveslace.bsky.social•81 days ago

While it's true apathy can hand power to extremists under FPTP, I take comfort known that when extremists threaten to take power, British electorate tends to turn out to prevent it. More so today with the power of social media to counter extremism.

gregorynorminton.bsky.social•81 days ago

Social media is the problem. It's the primary vector of extremism. Oligarchic power and anti-democratic forces clocked this long ago.

adaloveslace.bsky.social•81 days ago

True, although any popular means of communication will always be attractive for extremists. But it's also one of the tools to use to organise counters against them.

gregorynorminton.bsky.social•81 days ago

Sure. Taking the long view, is it a coincidence that convulsive change (and violent crises) can be mapped onto the emergence of new communication technologies? The printing press for the Reformation, radio and cinema for the rise of fascism, the internet for oligarchic mind control.

adaloveslace.bsky.social•81 days ago

I think in times of crisis (financial, social, geopolitical) extremists have always reached for the most effective tools for communication and manipulation. I think the problem now is that extremists have also learned how to make it profitable.

gregorynorminton.bsky.social•81 days ago

Also, when you have the might of the right-wing press barons at your back, you can poison discourse and policy without ever getting near official power.

garethsouthwell.bsky.social•81 days ago

It's depressing how much air time he gets. My folks voted for him, and I think - outside of immigration - they have no clue what his policies are, or the consequences of his pro-Trump, pro-Putin stance. It's all "a black Dr Who?! Black elves in Lord of the Rings!" I kid you not.

markfreed.bsky.social•81 days ago

Yep, forgot the pro-Trump and pro-Putin bit, as well as the Truss like economic policies.

markfreed.bsky.social•81 days ago

38 Question Time appearances I think I read. Hosted by Tory Fiona Bruce and with a largely right wing audience.

garethsouthwell.bsky.social•81 days ago

Yes, something's not right there. And I don't think there's ever been much scrutiny of his views on the NHS and climate change - which would bring down his "popularity" a bit.

markfreed.bsky.social•80 days ago

All most people know are his anti immigration policies. The average person spends two minutes a week if that thinking about politics.

markfreed.bsky.social•81 days ago

Reform could feasibly overtake The Tories, especially as they are rolling in money and the pathetic Bad Enoch is Tory leader (for now). People think Reform are just about immigration: they don’t get that they basically have Truss’s economic policies.

steveharvey2001.bsky.social•80 days ago

Truss was obsessed with Growth which conflicts with anti-immigration policies

markfreed.bsky.social•80 days ago

Truss was small state, low tax and anti immigration. Basically Reform’s agenda.

markfreed.bsky.social•80 days ago

It does indeed conflict but these types can’t see it.

br-uk.bsky.social•81 days ago

Comment from a die-hard Republican that works with me: surprised to see their son coming out with his friends in MAGA hats, as they were not political in 2020.

Meanwhile, in UK, Farage is investing heavily on social media to reach out to male teenagers and undergrads, the same way that Trump did.

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