Reform U.K. has hit its highest-ever polling support level at 14% in the aftermath of the Tory row over the suspension of Lee Anderson. The Telegraph has the story.
A YouGov survey, published on Friday, showed that the Right-wing party, led by Richard Tice, was now at 14 percentage points – up one from the previous week.
The Conservatives were just six points ahead of their rivals on the Right, polling at 20 points. More than one in five 2019 Tory voters currently intend to back Reform.
The poll, conducted between February 28th and 29th, suggests Mr. Tice may have benefited from Tory splits over Mr. Anderson, a former Conservative deputy Chairman who lost the whip last week for claiming that “Islamists” had “got control” of Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London.
Mr. Tice has reportedly gone on to hold talks with Mr. Anderson, the MP for Ashfield, who he said “speaks for millions of people who are appalled by what is happening to our country”.
The poll showed that Labour remained on 46 points despite a difficult few weeks for Sir Keir Starmer. The Labour leader has ditched a flagship £28 billion green spending pledge and faced criticism over his handling of an antisemitism row in Rochdale.
YouGov said: “This is Reform U.K.’s highest vote intention share to date, with the party currently taking 21% of those who voted Conservative in 2019. The Tories are holding on to just 35% of their previous voters, with 12% going to Labour and 20% unsure.”
Responding to the poll, Mr. Tice wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Our first 14% national poll for Reform – just 6% behind the toxic Tories.”
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“Will no longer have to do so”
They never had to do so
The letters that some people recieved did read very much like Government Orders to shield.
I was interested to read them because the recipients had similar conditions to mine but I never recieved such ‘instructions’.
I have RA for which I take a an immuno-supressent drug. Been on it for years, probably been in contact with all sorts of infections, colds, flus, viruses, every day of my life, as I go about my business, but I’ve always been careful, and have remained in fairly good health. For the whole of last year, I wasn’t considered “vulnerable” even though my GP “thought” I should “maybe” be on the list, but nothing more was said or done, not that I wanted to shield! The charity that supports people with arthritis even said those taking the level of drug that I’m on, are fine to not have to shield! My shopping deliveries, though, stopped last year, which I needed, due to problems with joint pain – luckily, I had some family help. Even though I questioned it, I wasn’t deemed “vulnerable” enough! So, I just got with my life, no illness, no fears, no mask, just looking after myself, supporting my immune system, shutting down all MSM…Then about a month ago, I got a letter from NHS, telling me I’m suddenly not just “vulnerable” but “clinically, extremely vulnerable!” and that I SHOULD shield for the next three weeks or so! In the letter was the inevitable heavy push to get vaccinated – but no information at all about the “vaccine,” so how am I supposed to give my “informed consent!” Basically, the letter was dumped. They obviously thought I was vulnerable enough suddenly, when there’s a vaccine to push hard!
I spent much of last summer wondering what to do in the event of receiving ‘shield’ instructions, I would almost certainly have ignored them (insurances permitting) and carried on hoping for the best.
I’ve had several government (ie not GP) prompts to take up the vaccine but only once was the phrase ‘vulnerable group’ used and that might have related to age.
Indeed!
Exactly. Disappointing to see the blurring of the distinction between guidance and law perpetuated here. It just shows how pervasive the coronamadness paradigm has become that even sceptics like those writing ATL slip up.
I was out and about as a key worker from day 1 of lockdown 2020 despite having COPD and asthma which were presumed to be bad news re the covid. This was because I took the view that if Covid was gonna get me no amount of shielding at home was going to prevent that.
I have a colleague who does exactly the same as me who has been ‘shielding at home’ for 12 months now, I expect his immune system is shot to hell, ready to fail in the face of the first kiddie lurgey to come his way.
After the first 3 or 4 weeks I ceased to worry overmuch about it, masks had yet to become a thing, sanitizer could largely be ignored and I didn’t need to shop in places with queues.
Not having access to terrestrial TV and ceasing to buy print media no doubt shielded me from the worst of the government generated fear porn that put people into shielding in the first place.
If you used an asthma inhaler, that probably helped you, as well as you maintaining your immune system.
As a general point, more substantial evidence is emerging about highly probable prophylaxis from various medicines.
The almost total neglect of this area seems to me confirmatory evidence that this is a vaccine marketing campaign, not serious evidence-based medicine
I do use an inhaler and learned subsequently about their immune system benefits.
You’re a wise person, kv. And if you lost a lot from the year just passed, as we all did, at least you didn’t consign yourself to living death.
Thank you Annie, I did lose financially entirely due to lockdown but, as you say, I remained a real live human being and not a cowering Covid zombie.
A friend’s sister was out and about during the first lockdown, going to the shops and for walks.
In July (I think) she was told she had to shield for the next fourteen weeks
Her attitiude was “I’ve survived this long”
Important to note that the letters say that shielding has been *paused*. The politicians are clearly leaving it open to reintroduce if it becomes politically expedient.
More fools those who obey.