The thing that has struck me more about this local election than ever before, is the division. There's genuine anger and frustration that is driving people to want change, above all else, even without knowing for example the reform mandate - even farage and his lieutenants are saying they'll now have come up with some policies later this year sometime, like an afterthought.
Which just shows that people aren't looking at policies or long term. They're looking at, in my opinion, sound bites and calls for change to the status quo,even if how that chance will come about isn't clear.
Stockport is where my parents live. They have two synagogues a mile or so away, and three mosques even closer. Walking through the area now, you can feel the tension. What was once left suburban Stockport is now awash with flags, English and Palestinian. There are regular gatherings and the associated disruption - parking issues, confrontations, suspicion - and I can see this what is driving change. You're either on one side, the other, or stuck on the middle wondering what the bloody hell is going on and whether the next attack on the news will be just around the corner.
Unfortunately there is a very real possibility that farage is our next PM. Anyone who thinks that man has the interests of the UK or anyone else who isn't nigel farage, at heart, needs to take another look. The way he bows down to trump is particularly worrying.
But, an important point to make is that, so far at least, reform don't actually have a majority on any council so are not going to be running any new councils.
This is what happens when government after government fails the people. They clamour for change, even above consequences. I understand why people have voted reform, but ultimately can't shake what my eyes and mind tell me that they're the wolf in sheep's clothing.
