It is Frightening That Prospective Reform Voters Are Not All Loud Extremists

Yusuf, 47, Birmingham

Occupation: Economics Teacher & Content Creator

Past Votes: Labour Party. Yusuf considers himself “once called old centre-left. More left-wing than Starmer – who isn’t?”

Interesting Fact: During a seminar by the motivational speaker Tony Robbins, showing human potential, he walked across burning coals.

Mark, 66, Walsall

Work: Former Nurse, then Teacher, now Retired

Voting Record: Has voted for most parties – in the last election Conservative while in the upcoming election he plans to vote Reform

Personal Anecdote: He scored two goals playing for England facing Germany … at the wedding of his sibling, who wed a German (England lost the match).

First Course

Mark: After my operation to treat Parkinson's, I occasionally struggle speaking clearly. Yusuf is quite eloquent, and strongly opinionated in what he believes. I enjoy a drink but this time I had a blackcurrant with soda. I had a sirloin steak, and dessert was pancake with ice cream.

Yusuf: You’ve got a certain image of how you picture someone backing Reform – a white T-shirt with a union jack or a loud, overweight man – and that was completely taken away. He was very pleasant. I haven't drunk alcohol in 16 years, so I had a Diet Coke. My main was ribeye steak, which was delicious.

The Big Beef

Mark: The present scale of immigration are not viable. Numerous migrants coming on small boats are honest, prepared to work, but others are not. There is a risk of criminals or terrorists.

Yusuf: Consider their situation. People don't leave willingly a country where they are settled and a secure existence. They are people who’ve got nothing or everything’s been taken away from them. Channel crossings are only a fraction; most of the immigration into this country is completely legal.

Mark: There’s an ethical dimension to luring professionals to a rich country, since we contribute to other countries to have shortages. A long-standing worry of mine is UK overpopulation, given energy needs, water supply, healthcare system, education system, homes, etc. Additionally, some groups that remain isolated and don’t come into contact with the rest of the population. I do think that is an issue – especially if immigrants are coming from countries where human rights or gender equality are appalling.

Yusuf: I shared my dad's story We don't instantly become British; individuals maintain their customs as in their native land. A lot of the countries under British rule, including India, were economically advanced, but Britain went in and took stuff and caused decline. It wasn't about taking back, but we sought better prospects.

Shared Views

Mark: We concurred as people get very wealthy, no amount of money is enough. I support a wealth tax.

Yusuf: Mark expressed that inequality stems from Thatcher and discussed her legacy. He didn’t strike me as a Conservative!

For Afters

Mark: Farage is a skilled speaker, right? I would trust him with the economy, but cutting public services will be unpopular so he may need to moderate his approach. I'll vote reluctantly as he seems unconcerned about the NHS; privatizing healthcare would be regrettable. I spent 26 years in the NHS. But I won’t vote Conservative or Labour; they've failed before.

Yusuf: I told Mark: reflect on Reform's allies. Some supporters are extreme, you’re not one of them, your opinions differ. Nigel Farage and Richard Tice, Richard Tice, are affluent businessmen who don’t really care about the country, but are trying to appeal to public anxieties and prejudices to get elected.

Final Reflections

Mark: Since retiring, I don’t get the young person’s perspective as much as I did when I was a lecturer. I enjoyed the evening very much.

Yusuf: It actually scares me that potential Reform voters aren't all loud flag-waving extremists. But I came away feeling positive that through calm discussion certain topics, it's possible to shift people’s hearts and minds a little.