Those parties have bad policies but they do manage the basics of running a party. After Restore launched Lowes video I looked at their website. Their faq document still claimed Restore isn't a political party. Their website has exactly two documents on it and one hadn't been updated. Hate them all you want but Labour and the greens do get that far. Unless they change fast they ain't gonna make it.
Reform is recruiting people with varied experience. All of them have been in other parties. That is criticised as "selling out". So how do you get experience and professionalism?
Your criticisms are always valid. Luckily for me, I am not looking for the perfect policy machine, right now, just like many, I just want a political home in these dark times.
This is a party who I believe in on a fundamental level. I believe in the core ethos. I can't say that about any of the other parties.
So I will get behind them for as long as it makes sense.
For what little it's worth, I hope they give you a chance, they are certainly aware of you, at least according to their reply to the email I sent them months ago, pointing them toward your manifesto work. Of course they are, they aren't completely daft.
Maybe you need to go through some good old Churchillian rejection before finally being embraced when things have gotten even worse? Who knows eh.
In the meantime, God bless Rupert Lowe for giving it a go
I wouldn't want Pete to become embittered and spend his days attacking Restore.
There's certainly a place for those brave enough to challenge their own side. But yeah, maybe find another route for that frustration. For example, much as I want to be able to read the whole of the Manifesto Project (which I also donated to), this Substack might be a good place to introduce some policies to the readership, maybe highlighting the ways in which they differ from Restore's?
If Restore continue to ask the membership when they focus on specific topics, how would they react if a number of us had alternative proposals that we felt made more sense? At the moment it seems like Restore are more open, that may change of course. But instead of spitting feathers because Restore don't take up the Manifesto Project ideas, maybe try proselytising some of us? Not that I have anyone's ear or anything like that. But perhaps a better use of time than just calling them slop merchants etc.
I'm in broad agreement with what Pete has said, but, as you suggest, there are ways of doing this. I've read substantial parts of the Manifesto Project and I agree that the policy arguments need to be explained on a different platform such as this Substack, which will attract a different and wider audience than the Manifesto Project website. I'd suggest Pete launches a charm offensive towards Restore Britain.
The weekend spat on X following criticisms of Restore's foreign policy web page was instructive. Once Pete drafted a short summary of what could have been on Restore's page, comments became more positive. The old filmmaking adage sums it up: show don't tell.
Taking a good look at Restore's website, I'm inclined to agree with your assessment of them.
Education policy ought to be a priority for any future right-wing government - as it's ultimately a tool for re-shaping society for generations to come (as the left understand very well), but all I can see on Restore's website are a couple of bullet point paragraphs covering two proposals - one to scrap fines for parents taking kids on holiday during term time and the other to penalise university professors for pushing 'anti-British ideology'.
There's no suggestion that Restore would look to implement any major structural reform - streamlining higher education while restoring rigour and discipline to both primary & secondary schools.
We can do so much better.
I like Rupert Lowe, and certainly his movement gives me better 'vibes' than Reform, mainly born of the fact that Lowe has more conviction and confidence in his beliefs than Farage/Tice, but they could have made significantly better use of the past year before launching.
Unfortunately you are probably right about the chances of success for Restore. I agree with most of what Rupert Lowe says as does, I suspect, a large portion of the native Brits. It will no doubt turn to poo as it is infiltrated and undermined by the usual suspects and of course the MSM on behalf of the establishment.
I thought this was quite an intelligent article until I read “Habib is at the far
right of civic nationalism which includes support for Israel”. What - so support for Israel (the only democratic state in the whole of the Middle East) now constitutes “far right”. I am now doubting this writer’s bona fides. Perhaps if he’s reading this, he can try and justify his comment.
This spoilt toddler won't publically abuse you! In all seriousness though, we have to hope that there will be meaningful policy developed which stems from a cultural Christian ideology. There is a bright young team at Restore so here's to hoping.
So many people have high hopes that someone can rescue us from this car crash that is the current government, and repair the roads that led to the crash.
Farage, Lowe, Habib et al seem to be the straw that we have to clutch at, but you are quite correct that there doesn’t seem to be much policy behind the razzmatazz.
Reform UK are making an excellent job of building a Party Machine, with a branch structure and a strong set of ground troops that are willing to do the graft of banging on doors and talking to Joe Public.
Couple this with the never ending trickle of shit coming out from Labour, which even people who are totally disinterested in politics are starting to notice, now appears to be a unique moment in history where real change can be made.
I do hope that others will read your-as ever- spot on analysis, but, and yes, to quote from “Kelly’s Hero’s” Quit with the negative vibes Man. It’s a beautiful bridge.
I guess it all depends on how long we have before á GE. I don’t doubt Lowe is a good man, but if a snap election is called (or forced) before he’s ready them probably better to vote Reform. Restore will still be able to develop esp if Reform doesn’t meet expectations
I align with Lowe on policy and I’ll probably join Restore at some point, but you’re absolutely right about amateurism on the British right, and Restore aren’t any exception right now. Just to take their website as an example, it’s like a student project gone wrong – barebones content, misaligned layouts, ugly homepage. Give me 2 hours and a Premium subscription to WordPress and I reckon could do a better job. It’s early doors so maybe they’ll improve it, but you’d think they’d have addressed this BEFORE beckoning millions to come take a look. Bad first impression.
Lowe has no chance whatsoever. The party will lose their deposit on every occasion. Just look at what happened to Laurence Fox‘s party. A total waste of time. Habib and Lowe have only one hope which is to rejoin Reform UK.
Unlike Farage Lowe has a team and a plan to take on the Whitehall Leviathan. He and Restore are also actually conservative and not simply Tory 2.0. Being realistic means facing up to Farage's atrocious record.
I hear the criticism - Restore/UKIP/ Advance are amateur.
So what they need to do is take a page out of the Tory Labour Green Lib Dem book of professionalism.
Erm, bit of a flaw there.
I’m sure you have noticed?
People despise Labour and Tories because they are despicable.
The Greens?
Trying to be Labour -Tories.
Pathetic.
If an out of date website is the total of your criticism, not a bad place to be.
Those parties have bad policies but they do manage the basics of running a party. After Restore launched Lowes video I looked at their website. Their faq document still claimed Restore isn't a political party. Their website has exactly two documents on it and one hadn't been updated. Hate them all you want but Labour and the greens do get that far. Unless they change fast they ain't gonna make it.
I leave hate to the left, they have a lot of it.
Restore not having updated their website is of little consequence unless continuing to omit updating it.
As long as they update it with truths.
It speaks to their level of effort and attention to detail, at least.
Intellectual Foundation.
It's the same thing over and over. Without it you swerve around the road like a drunk.
I so hope this will be different and hopefully we can make it be.
The one thing of which I'm currently sure is that unlike Farage Rupert Lowe will not be a one man band.
I hope so
Can you not see the irony in what you have said?
If that is to me then NO???
Yes, but he needs a lot more than that, as Pete has stated.
I agree but he needs at least six months grace IMO.
Reform is recruiting people with varied experience. All of them have been in other parties. That is criticised as "selling out". So how do you get experience and professionalism?
Your criticisms are always valid. Luckily for me, I am not looking for the perfect policy machine, right now, just like many, I just want a political home in these dark times.
This is a party who I believe in on a fundamental level. I believe in the core ethos. I can't say that about any of the other parties.
So I will get behind them for as long as it makes sense.
For what little it's worth, I hope they give you a chance, they are certainly aware of you, at least according to their reply to the email I sent them months ago, pointing them toward your manifesto work. Of course they are, they aren't completely daft.
Maybe you need to go through some good old Churchillian rejection before finally being embraced when things have gotten even worse? Who knows eh.
In the meantime, God bless Rupert Lowe for giving it a go
& good luck to you. 🏴 🏴 🏴 🇬🇧
The one thing of which I'm currently sure is that unlike Farage Rupert Lowe will not be a one man band.
I think Pete should back off for at least six months and see what happens.
I wouldn't want Pete to become embittered and spend his days attacking Restore.
There's certainly a place for those brave enough to challenge their own side. But yeah, maybe find another route for that frustration. For example, much as I want to be able to read the whole of the Manifesto Project (which I also donated to), this Substack might be a good place to introduce some policies to the readership, maybe highlighting the ways in which they differ from Restore's?
If Restore continue to ask the membership when they focus on specific topics, how would they react if a number of us had alternative proposals that we felt made more sense? At the moment it seems like Restore are more open, that may change of course. But instead of spitting feathers because Restore don't take up the Manifesto Project ideas, maybe try proselytising some of us? Not that I have anyone's ear or anything like that. But perhaps a better use of time than just calling them slop merchants etc.
I'm in broad agreement with what Pete has said, but, as you suggest, there are ways of doing this. I've read substantial parts of the Manifesto Project and I agree that the policy arguments need to be explained on a different platform such as this Substack, which will attract a different and wider audience than the Manifesto Project website. I'd suggest Pete launches a charm offensive towards Restore Britain.
The weekend spat on X following criticisms of Restore's foreign policy web page was instructive. Once Pete drafted a short summary of what could have been on Restore's page, comments became more positive. The old filmmaking adage sums it up: show don't tell.
I hope that you are right. I'm a bit fed up voting NOTA!
Taking a good look at Restore's website, I'm inclined to agree with your assessment of them.
Education policy ought to be a priority for any future right-wing government - as it's ultimately a tool for re-shaping society for generations to come (as the left understand very well), but all I can see on Restore's website are a couple of bullet point paragraphs covering two proposals - one to scrap fines for parents taking kids on holiday during term time and the other to penalise university professors for pushing 'anti-British ideology'.
There's no suggestion that Restore would look to implement any major structural reform - streamlining higher education while restoring rigour and discipline to both primary & secondary schools.
We can do so much better.
I like Rupert Lowe, and certainly his movement gives me better 'vibes' than Reform, mainly born of the fact that Lowe has more conviction and confidence in his beliefs than Farage/Tice, but they could have made significantly better use of the past year before launching.
The one thing of which I'm currently sure is that unlike Farage Rupert Lowe will not be a one man band.
I think he deserves at least six months grace.
I'm certainly prepared to give them a chance!
Unfortunately you are probably right about the chances of success for Restore. I agree with most of what Rupert Lowe says as does, I suspect, a large portion of the native Brits. It will no doubt turn to poo as it is infiltrated and undermined by the usual suspects and of course the MSM on behalf of the establishment.
The one thing of which I'm currently sure is that unlike Farage Rupert Lowe will not be a one man band.
No I'm a real person - honest.
Sometimes repetition helps get a message through!
I thought this was quite an intelligent article until I read “Habib is at the far
right of civic nationalism which includes support for Israel”. What - so support for Israel (the only democratic state in the whole of the Middle East) now constitutes “far right”. I am now doubting this writer’s bona fides. Perhaps if he’s reading this, he can try and justify his comment.
As well you should.
So you're telling me that a far-right party might attract far-right supporters?
No shit!
This spoilt toddler won't publically abuse you! In all seriousness though, we have to hope that there will be meaningful policy developed which stems from a cultural Christian ideology. There is a bright young team at Restore so here's to hoping.
The one thing of which I'm currently sure is that unlike Farage Rupert Lowe will not be a one man band.
I think he deserves at least six months grace.
Another good, but sad analysis Pete.
So many people have high hopes that someone can rescue us from this car crash that is the current government, and repair the roads that led to the crash.
Farage, Lowe, Habib et al seem to be the straw that we have to clutch at, but you are quite correct that there doesn’t seem to be much policy behind the razzmatazz.
Reform UK are making an excellent job of building a Party Machine, with a branch structure and a strong set of ground troops that are willing to do the graft of banging on doors and talking to Joe Public.
Couple this with the never ending trickle of shit coming out from Labour, which even people who are totally disinterested in politics are starting to notice, now appears to be a unique moment in history where real change can be made.
I do hope that others will read your-as ever- spot on analysis, but, and yes, to quote from “Kelly’s Hero’s” Quit with the negative vibes Man. It’s a beautiful bridge.
The one thing of which I'm currently sure is that unlike Farage Rupert Lowe will not be a one man band.
I think he deserves at least six months grace.
I guess it all depends on how long we have before á GE. I don’t doubt Lowe is a good man, but if a snap election is called (or forced) before he’s ready them probably better to vote Reform. Restore will still be able to develop esp if Reform doesn’t meet expectations
I align with Lowe on policy and I’ll probably join Restore at some point, but you’re absolutely right about amateurism on the British right, and Restore aren’t any exception right now. Just to take their website as an example, it’s like a student project gone wrong – barebones content, misaligned layouts, ugly homepage. Give me 2 hours and a Premium subscription to WordPress and I reckon could do a better job. It’s early doors so maybe they’ll improve it, but you’d think they’d have addressed this BEFORE beckoning millions to come take a look. Bad first impression.
Lowe has no chance whatsoever. The party will lose their deposit on every occasion. Just look at what happened to Laurence Fox‘s party. A total waste of time. Habib and Lowe have only one hope which is to rejoin Reform UK.
Whilst I like lowe , Ben ,s intellectual capacity should carry them through
Revenge? 🤦♀️😂🤣😂🤣
I hope you will offer Restore your services. I hope they will accept.
https://www.konaenergy.co.uk/
Unlike Farage Lowe has a team and a plan to take on the Whitehall Leviathan. He and Restore are also actually conservative and not simply Tory 2.0. Being realistic means facing up to Farage's atrocious record.