Why I can’t support Reform UK; where my hope lies

I have a number of friends who are in, have been in or hope to be in political office and, for this reason, I have tagged some into my latest “political post”, albeit one with a twist, which I will get to at the end.

I am neither Conservative nor Labour; Republican nor Democrat etc. While I could be seen as right leaning with a libertarian, anti-globalist, social justice emphasis, I see myself as politically neutral, as one who seeks to engage with politicians of all shades to achieve the common good. But I do take an interest in politics because those who govern us affect people’s lives for good or for bad. Two months ago, I wrote my “Right now, what are my political perspectives and intentions?” blog. While my view on major political parties in the UK remain overall negative, I did include the statement: “I have seen promising signs in Reform UK …”. But having watched a two-minute video, titled “Why Reform UK (Richard Tice) Is No Good” (see here) featuring Richard Tice, leader of Reform UK (highlighting a lot of the stuff that I have been commentating on in my recent blogs), regrettably, I have had to withdraw this statement, seeing how Tice is irritatingly, dangerously even, wrong on a whole plethora of matters, as raised in the video.

When checking out what Reform UK has had to say recently on the issues of the day and, mindful it was born out of the Brexit Party, which at the time I did support, there was much I found myself to be in agreement with. Besides the video referred to above, the day before I saw a clip from another video, Andrew Marr interviewing Richard Tice on LBC radio when Marr asked Tice if recently expelled MP, Andrew Bridgen, from the Conservative Party (check out my “What happens when a British MP speaks out against vaccines” blog), would be welcome in the Reform Party. Tice response was “No….I think Andrew has frankly got it wrong in his approach to vaccines”. Not only did Bridgen point to facts, that have been raised health experts around the world, and asked pertinent questions, but the silencing of those who are speaking out against the evils I and others are seeing is a red line and Tice has crossed it.

When I wrote my “Liz out, Rishi in and now what?” blog, when Rishi Sunak took over from Liz Truss as British Prime Minister, I raised my reservations. Three months on, things are as bad as I feared at the time (going by what has been widely reported). But things are no better when it comes to Keir Starmer and his Labour Party. Just prior to this, a friend shared a clip of Starmer being interviewed, when he was asked to choose between Davos (where the WEF are currently meeting) and Westminster. He answered Davos. Sadly. I agree with the comment one person made on this not at all surprising answer: “The mask has slipped. Keir Starmer is a full on globalist, hanging out with his mates at the WEF”.

One ironic yet hopeful commentary on Sunak and Starmer and what they are saying and doing is that certain elements of the Conservative Party have confided in me that they immensely dislike Sunak and certain elements of the Labour Party they immensely dislike Starmer. I suspect, if the rate of the number of startling revelations on a global front we are seeing just three weeks into the New Year were to continue (and I fully expect they will be), there will be much disquiet in our major parties concerning the perpetuation of the status quo. When I shared some of these thoughts on social media, one friend responded: “There is a growing perception that God will be sending Britain a better though not necessarily Christian leader”. I hope he is right. Throughout human history, God has raised up unlikely leaders and, while many will disagree, I would include Trump and Putin.

Politics is a strange business, requiring compromise and linking up with dodgy bed fellows, as we note how corrupt things currently are. I note too that many who I regard as friends are politically involved. I salute them, especially if they can maintain their integrity. I know as a community activist that beneficial change and input into some of the issues affecting particularly those at the bottom of society’s ladder, may need a political solution and rather than leave it to bad people making things worse kudos to the good people who step in to make a difference despite obvious limitations. Some will do so by joining one of the major parties; some by joining a minor party, where given our first past the post electoral system chances of being elected are often slim, and some by running as an independent.

This brings me to the “twist” mentioned. I am at an age now and there being other things I believe God would have me do other than standing for political office, now no longer an option (although I still support those who do, regardless of political affiliation). Having now seen off, what seems as, the last possible hope on the national stage – Reform UK, outside of the lesser of so many evils option, I am convinced more than ever that our real hope is the Gospel (see here). Just prior to writing this, I watched a one-hour video titled “Prophetic Warning & a Plan To Restore America”.

Ostensively, this has little to do with the above subject, but actually it does. The person featured, Evangelist Mario Murillo, saw his and the most important role of the wider church to be that of preaching the Gospel. When people turn to God, there will be a change, and it will affect all aspects of society, including political. As for me, having taken in all the above, and much else besides, it is clearer, more than ever, where many of my energies need to be directed.