Excellent blog as always Pete.....but utterly depressing. I'm seriously thinking of emigrating to the USA, as I can't see any light at the end of our very long tunnel 😥
If Virginia is anything to go by, democracy works right down at the sub-division level (housing estate), as we had to have a "Home Owners' Association". Although manned by volunteers, this cost us. If your wallet is affected, you take an interest. At the local level, 'we' voted in the school board, sheriff etc. Again our wallets were directly affected by our vote, and so on up to state level. It falls down a bit at federal level though.
In comparison, our so called democracy, is so centralised at government level - v unhealthy!
I can't help wondering why it is that you find it so satisfying to continually denigrate Reform, and Nigel farage in particular, when they, and he, have had no part in the decades long destruction of the UK which has unfolded like a long, appalling, slow-motion car crash taking place in front of us all.
It seems to me that Reform is our only hope. Labour and the Conservatives are, to put it bluntly, and as George Galloway so beautifully, and memorably, put it, 'two cheeks of the same arse'. And the only thing that comes from between the cheeks of anyone's arse is sh*t!
You may be right that Reform will never succeed in making themselves into a political force capable of achieveing an election victory and then governing Britain in the wake of such a seismic event. But, and forgive me for being so blunt, the 'Homeland Party' which is, I believe, what you have chosen to 'hitch your wagon' to and presumably therefore think is the best vehicle for change in the UK seems unlikely to even save a deposit at the next election - if indeed it is able to field any candidates in the first place.
If we don't get meaningful change in 2029 I genuinely fear it will be the end for the UK. Believe me when I say I mean no personal disrespect to you in writing the things I have. I am just at a loss to understand why you are so intent on denigrating and talking down the political party, and those who are it's driving force, at a time when they are the only people in the entire political landscape who appear to realise the full extent of what it is that is destroying our country and thus are, perhaps, our only hope of achieving the almost unthinkable: the end of the two party duopoly and, through that massive political realignment, a chance, at least, of a brighter future.
I've made my position abundantly clear. A lazy, amateurish ally is as bad as, or worse than, an enemy. Twice now Britain has had to suffer a false dawn because the leaders (Farage/Johnson) didn't bother with planning or policy. There is no evidence to suggest Reform will be different. Moreover, Farage has made it explicitly clear that Reform will not meaningfully address immigration, falling back in his inane "net zero immigration" slogan. If they are not in politics to address pretty much the only issue that matters, why are they in politics at all?
Yes, you have made your position abundantly clear. You may be proved right and you may be proved wrong. Only time will tell. One thing is for certain: you don't have a better option for people to cling on to; leastways, if you do you don't trouble to make it clear to us all. You have clear opinions about Reform, and Nigel Farage in particular, which, in my opinion, are myopic and unhelpful.
Furthermore Nigel farage has not made it explicitly clear that Reform will not meaningfully address immigration. Reducing immigration to a 'one in for one out' policy is a whole lot better than the uncontrolled torrent we are currently witnessing. Granted, it is not as radical a solution as many may want but, given where we are now, it is a considerable improvement.
Also, how can any of what has taken place be laid at Nigel Farage's door? When was he ever in a position of power to change things? He facilitated Johnson's landslide victory in 2019 by not standing Brexit party candidates in numerous constituencies. It was Boris Johnson who squandered that opportunity for change NOT Nigel Farage.
A badly prepared, incompetent reform in government would destroy any chance of turning this country around for another generation, holding their feet to the fire in attempt to force them to tighten up their operation is a positive in my book.
It seems to me like that is a complete load of nonsense. How about holding Mr North's feet to the fire and asking him to prove the truth, or otherwise, of his insulting rhetoric about reform and Nigel Farage? All I have said is that as I see it Reform is our best, and maybe our only, hope and so unless Mr North can point us in the direction of a viable alternative I don't see the point in his constant unpleasant and insulting attacks on Reform in general and Nigel farage in particular.
Accepting Labour have only one, daily shortening, term and the Tories under Balderdash offer nothing and are yet to be forgiven. Ed Davey's lot throw buckets of confetti and their doors fall off.
Let's just remove Reform from the equation. What will fill this ever increasing in size hole?
Nothing that Pete North will come up with. Homeland, Heritage, SDP? Delusion.
Talking of intellect. Intellectuals can barely tie their shoe laces. When they do succeed they often find they've tied both shoes together. Look at the dismal Left in the Universities.
We need tough successful businessmen. Zia Yusuf. Puprt Lowe, Richard Tice aren't sole traders making crafts WFH. They have 'people'. Intellectuals don't manage, they ponder then spout to no practical effect.
We don't need OfCom, the BBC, SAGE, PHE etc. Rupert Lowe talks of repatriating refugees once ECHR and HR are gone. Refusal to accept - no foreign aid.
Trump has set the standard. Fast, decisive action. If the Civil Servants don't like it they can wake up without a job and their pension diminished.
Very thorough analysis Pete and you’ve identified the problems and bear traps. However, there’s nothing new in here and nothing that an incoming government won’t be aware of. You’re also right that the blob will be waiting for Farage/ Reform and will have learnt from Trump’s blizzard of activity. But in business we always remembered that “you eat an elephant with a teaspoon” and you plan your activities in sequence. I see nothing to worry me that things can’t get better despite your worries and I still see Reform as the only show in town despite your continued misgivings. I’m sticking with Reform and am optimistic unlike your defeatism.
I do notice various pundits gradually realising the same things...we are in a dreadful mess and only a radical change of direction will do. I expect Labour to preside over a financial crisis, rising unemployment, major blackouts and a crime wave.
In the 1970s a similar sense of despair led to a radical government. In that case, the "blob" realised that things had to change and the Thatcher governemt was able to push throught he policies required. Who knows, we may see a similar mass conversion in the next few years.
Great article Pete, very accurate and very depressing. Funnily enough, I’m in agreement with Rod, 2023 being the first year I seriously started to think about emigrating.
What saddens me the most is that a relatively tiny number of people, in successive governments and the machine of government, have wilfully acted against the people for so long. Makes one feel totally helpless.
I only disagree with one point as I have before. With no sign of the pace of demographic change slowing, I don’t think there is time for a long march.
Don’t be negative Alan. “The longest journey starts with the shortest steps” as the Chinese proverb goes. The fightback starts with Reform gaining power which is a huge task but Labour are helping and will continue to. After gaining power it’s sort out immigration in sequences from deportation of illegals, criminals, hate preachers and stopping new arrivals both illegal and legal. Then make work pay. It’s not hard to work out. It will take winning power and guts thereafter.
I hadn’t heard of you, and started to read with interest. But it became clear that you have an agenda, you are masquerading as a political commentator, but you’ve set out specifically to do down Reform.
WE took a liberty and decided to feature this post on the WOTE.uk blog section where we are experimenting with the idea of gathering human curated and subbed "picks of the week on twitter", and in this example, we added a touch of glamour with a series of AI Britannia images.
The results are surprisingly gorgeous - and it didn't take £10k to get her out of bed for a photoshoot.
I appreciate your article and opinions Pete. What frustrates me is no SWOT analysis and 'Way Forward' is ever given. Not by you nor other commentators. There has to be a solution to every problem. There is a solution to every problem. Understanding and managing the consequences linked to the solution is the key. Otherwise we might as well give up. That is exactly what the 'intellectual elite' want us to do - admit they know better. However, they obviously have no clue which is clearly evident in the mess we have now.
I am working on something precisely to rectify this issue - a platform for the development, discussion and wargaming of policies and development of a serious manifesto. Anyone who is interested let me know and I will let you know when it's ready.
Excellent blog as always Pete.....but utterly depressing. I'm seriously thinking of emigrating to the USA, as I can't see any light at the end of our very long tunnel 😥
If Virginia is anything to go by, democracy works right down at the sub-division level (housing estate), as we had to have a "Home Owners' Association". Although manned by volunteers, this cost us. If your wallet is affected, you take an interest. At the local level, 'we' voted in the school board, sheriff etc. Again our wallets were directly affected by our vote, and so on up to state level. It falls down a bit at federal level though.
In comparison, our so called democracy, is so centralised at government level - v unhealthy!
I can't help wondering why it is that you find it so satisfying to continually denigrate Reform, and Nigel farage in particular, when they, and he, have had no part in the decades long destruction of the UK which has unfolded like a long, appalling, slow-motion car crash taking place in front of us all.
It seems to me that Reform is our only hope. Labour and the Conservatives are, to put it bluntly, and as George Galloway so beautifully, and memorably, put it, 'two cheeks of the same arse'. And the only thing that comes from between the cheeks of anyone's arse is sh*t!
You may be right that Reform will never succeed in making themselves into a political force capable of achieveing an election victory and then governing Britain in the wake of such a seismic event. But, and forgive me for being so blunt, the 'Homeland Party' which is, I believe, what you have chosen to 'hitch your wagon' to and presumably therefore think is the best vehicle for change in the UK seems unlikely to even save a deposit at the next election - if indeed it is able to field any candidates in the first place.
If we don't get meaningful change in 2029 I genuinely fear it will be the end for the UK. Believe me when I say I mean no personal disrespect to you in writing the things I have. I am just at a loss to understand why you are so intent on denigrating and talking down the political party, and those who are it's driving force, at a time when they are the only people in the entire political landscape who appear to realise the full extent of what it is that is destroying our country and thus are, perhaps, our only hope of achieving the almost unthinkable: the end of the two party duopoly and, through that massive political realignment, a chance, at least, of a brighter future.
I've made my position abundantly clear. A lazy, amateurish ally is as bad as, or worse than, an enemy. Twice now Britain has had to suffer a false dawn because the leaders (Farage/Johnson) didn't bother with planning or policy. There is no evidence to suggest Reform will be different. Moreover, Farage has made it explicitly clear that Reform will not meaningfully address immigration, falling back in his inane "net zero immigration" slogan. If they are not in politics to address pretty much the only issue that matters, why are they in politics at all?
Yes, you have made your position abundantly clear. You may be proved right and you may be proved wrong. Only time will tell. One thing is for certain: you don't have a better option for people to cling on to; leastways, if you do you don't trouble to make it clear to us all. You have clear opinions about Reform, and Nigel Farage in particular, which, in my opinion, are myopic and unhelpful.
Furthermore Nigel farage has not made it explicitly clear that Reform will not meaningfully address immigration. Reducing immigration to a 'one in for one out' policy is a whole lot better than the uncontrolled torrent we are currently witnessing. Granted, it is not as radical a solution as many may want but, given where we are now, it is a considerable improvement.
Also, how can any of what has taken place be laid at Nigel Farage's door? When was he ever in a position of power to change things? He facilitated Johnson's landslide victory in 2019 by not standing Brexit party candidates in numerous constituencies. It was Boris Johnson who squandered that opportunity for change NOT Nigel Farage.
A badly prepared, incompetent reform in government would destroy any chance of turning this country around for another generation, holding their feet to the fire in attempt to force them to tighten up their operation is a positive in my book.
ISTM it is up to those who complain of Pete's negativity to prove him wrong.
It seems to me like that is a complete load of nonsense. How about holding Mr North's feet to the fire and asking him to prove the truth, or otherwise, of his insulting rhetoric about reform and Nigel Farage? All I have said is that as I see it Reform is our best, and maybe our only, hope and so unless Mr North can point us in the direction of a viable alternative I don't see the point in his constant unpleasant and insulting attacks on Reform in general and Nigel farage in particular.
Meanwhile, the reader is left in the dark about Reform. What about both - Mr North proving his point and Reform's supporters proving theirs?
Fair enough. But what statements have I made about Reform? What is there for me to prove? Answer: nothing.
You have said that Reform is our best hope. If supporters of Reform can convince the unconvinced of that it will be good news.
Accepting Labour have only one, daily shortening, term and the Tories under Balderdash offer nothing and are yet to be forgiven. Ed Davey's lot throw buckets of confetti and their doors fall off.
Let's just remove Reform from the equation. What will fill this ever increasing in size hole?
Nothing that Pete North will come up with. Homeland, Heritage, SDP? Delusion.
Talking of intellect. Intellectuals can barely tie their shoe laces. When they do succeed they often find they've tied both shoes together. Look at the dismal Left in the Universities.
We need tough successful businessmen. Zia Yusuf. Puprt Lowe, Richard Tice aren't sole traders making crafts WFH. They have 'people'. Intellectuals don't manage, they ponder then spout to no practical effect.
We don't need OfCom, the BBC, SAGE, PHE etc. Rupert Lowe talks of repatriating refugees once ECHR and HR are gone. Refusal to accept - no foreign aid.
Trump has set the standard. Fast, decisive action. If the Civil Servants don't like it they can wake up without a job and their pension diminished.
Very thorough analysis Pete and you’ve identified the problems and bear traps. However, there’s nothing new in here and nothing that an incoming government won’t be aware of. You’re also right that the blob will be waiting for Farage/ Reform and will have learnt from Trump’s blizzard of activity. But in business we always remembered that “you eat an elephant with a teaspoon” and you plan your activities in sequence. I see nothing to worry me that things can’t get better despite your worries and I still see Reform as the only show in town despite your continued misgivings. I’m sticking with Reform and am optimistic unlike your defeatism.
I do notice various pundits gradually realising the same things...we are in a dreadful mess and only a radical change of direction will do. I expect Labour to preside over a financial crisis, rising unemployment, major blackouts and a crime wave.
In the 1970s a similar sense of despair led to a radical government. In that case, the "blob" realised that things had to change and the Thatcher governemt was able to push throught he policies required. Who knows, we may see a similar mass conversion in the next few years.
Great article Pete, very accurate and very depressing. Funnily enough, I’m in agreement with Rod, 2023 being the first year I seriously started to think about emigrating.
What saddens me the most is that a relatively tiny number of people, in successive governments and the machine of government, have wilfully acted against the people for so long. Makes one feel totally helpless.
I only disagree with one point as I have before. With no sign of the pace of demographic change slowing, I don’t think there is time for a long march.
Really good read.
I always follow American politics.
Britain got captured by the Global American Empire in 1945 and never broke free.... unfortunately.
Brilliant piece Pete!
Dominic Cummings could and would have cleaned out the Augean stables that are the Sir Humphreys that have betrayed us.
I'd rather Boris had gone and Cummings had stayed.
Please can the last one leaving turn the lights off...oh wait!
Don’t be negative Alan. “The longest journey starts with the shortest steps” as the Chinese proverb goes. The fightback starts with Reform gaining power which is a huge task but Labour are helping and will continue to. After gaining power it’s sort out immigration in sequences from deportation of illegals, criminals, hate preachers and stopping new arrivals both illegal and legal. Then make work pay. It’s not hard to work out. It will take winning power and guts thereafter.
I know mate but I'm allowed to be maudlin occasionally!
I hadn’t heard of you, and started to read with interest. But it became clear that you have an agenda, you are masquerading as a political commentator, but you’ve set out specifically to do down Reform.
WE took a liberty and decided to feature this post on the WOTE.uk blog section where we are experimenting with the idea of gathering human curated and subbed "picks of the week on twitter", and in this example, we added a touch of glamour with a series of AI Britannia images.
The results are surprisingly gorgeous - and it didn't take £10k to get her out of bed for a photoshoot.
https://wote.uk/blog/making-britain-great-again
I appreciate your article and opinions Pete. What frustrates me is no SWOT analysis and 'Way Forward' is ever given. Not by you nor other commentators. There has to be a solution to every problem. There is a solution to every problem. Understanding and managing the consequences linked to the solution is the key. Otherwise we might as well give up. That is exactly what the 'intellectual elite' want us to do - admit they know better. However, they obviously have no clue which is clearly evident in the mess we have now.
"The same is true for Part Two of the Brexit revolution" Part 2? Hadn't noticed that happening.
Great post though, thanks Pete, but as Rod writes: "utterly depressing"
Substitute the word Reform for Labour and the word Farage for Starmer and this article would be bang on the money.
> Certainly nobody will object to a British version of DOGE
Except who's the British version of Elon Musk who would run it?
I am working on something precisely to rectify this issue - a platform for the development, discussion and wargaming of policies and development of a serious manifesto. Anyone who is interested let me know and I will let you know when it's ready.