Not really comparable since the DUP is constrained to Northern Ireland and never even considers entering mainland UK. The Conservative party, Labour party and Lib Dems rarely run in Northern Ireland if ever, so the parties don’t have to worry about them. Reform is UK-Wide and actively snatched votes from the Tories.
The DUP propped up May’s government which put through Brexit. They take their seats and speak in debates. They have an effect, but not much of one with so few seats, and Reform is on a similar number. They will be a similar small voice in Westminster.
The vote share is a different issue. Some Tories will be looking at that longingly, but I suspect they would alienate more than they’d recruit if they actually shifted in that direction.
I mean it’s still to do with competition. Whenever smaller parties get a larger vote share, they influence the larger parties. That’s basically how Brexit happened with UKIP
Do you care that the DUP has seats?
No, reform will be equally meaningless.
Reform has 14% of the popular vote. The Tories will be chasing that.
Not really comparable since the DUP is constrained to Northern Ireland and never even considers entering mainland UK. The Conservative party, Labour party and Lib Dems rarely run in Northern Ireland if ever, so the parties don’t have to worry about them. Reform is UK-Wide and actively snatched votes from the Tories.
The DUP propped up May’s government which put through Brexit. They take their seats and speak in debates. They have an effect, but not much of one with so few seats, and Reform is on a similar number. They will be a similar small voice in Westminster.
The vote share is a different issue. Some Tories will be looking at that longingly, but I suspect they would alienate more than they’d recruit if they actually shifted in that direction.
I mean it’s still to do with competition. Whenever smaller parties get a larger vote share, they influence the larger parties. That’s basically how Brexit happened with UKIP