Recently we’ve seen:
- Over 10 local Reform councillors have to resign or be suspended after less than a couple of months into their job for various reasons.
- Councillor Daniel Taylor being charged with several crimes, including threatening to kill his wife.
- Councillor Amanda Clare arrested for assault and criminal damage.
- MP James McMurdock suspended under suspicion of undergoing illegal business activity, having already been exposed for underplaying the level of violence he criminally perpetuated on a former girlfriend.
- MP Sarah Pochin accused of lying.
- Various councillors skipping or cancelling important meetings.
- Various instances of breaking electoral laws
- And of course much, much more.
Something about all these events has made the Reform UK party worry they’re pre-vetting its candidates too stringently; that the calibre of folk they let in is just too high.
That they’re all too good at what they do, too professional, too effective.
That they desperately need people with lower standards.
Absolutely remarkable.
Per The Guardian:
Reform UK has told its members it is introducing a less stringent “common sense” vetting system for would-be candidates after complaints the previous checks were too strict, despite a recent series of controversies linked to the party.
It’s even more bizarre than it sounds. Reform is actively encouraging candidates who have previously been rejected based on whatever clearly less-than-stellar background checks the vetting process involved to apply again.
This new system would be seen as “a blank slate”, said the message to members, seen by the Guardian, adding: “If you have previously failed vetting, you are strongly encouraged to reapply under the new standards.”
Reform’s opponents of course give this the ridicule it deserves.
From Labour:
Nigel Farage has consistently bragged about how brilliant he thinks his party’s vetting is.
Yet reams of Reform councillors and MPs have faced disturbing allegations. The Reform rap sheet reads jail time for assaulting a woman, alleged financial misconduct, and flirting with the far right.
It’s disturbing that Farage is seemingly looking to further water down Reform’s standards. The public rightly expects the highest standards in public office. It appears Reform just aren’t up to the job.
And the Lib Dems:
They have clear issues with candidate vetting at all levels, so the idea that their standards could be watered down further is shocking and very concerning. Inviting failed candidates to try again under lax rules suggests that they are either struggling to recruit candidates, or something more sinister.”