After last week’s local elections the Rye and Winchelsea seat on Rother District Council was won by Reform UK with 531 votes. In this article a Rye shopkeeper, who doesn’t want to be named, says Reform is bad news for the town.
I am genuinely heartbroken by this result. A win for Reform UK is contrary to everything I believe our town stands for, and I am astounded that we have come to this.
Rye’s character and economy depend, in no small part, on being a place that welcomes visitors, new residents, and a diversity of voices. It is a town of culture, arts, and brilliant independent businesses, and that identity is not incidental. It is the reason people come here, invest here, and choose to make their lives here. Reform UK’s politics are at odds with all of that, and make no mistake: this result will not help our businesses or our reputation. It will damage them.
Most voters at the moment are driven by things that feel close to home: the cost of living, immigration, potholes – valid worries, even if the solutions Reform are offering are, in my view, anything but. But I’d ask every one of those 531 voters to think carefully about what they have actually endorsed, because it affects this town directly. Many of our residents and visitors are exactly the people Reform’s rhetoric is aimed at, but this diversity is also what makes this town worth living in.
This country has never felt more divided and the 531 people who voted Reform UK have voted for, whether they intended to or not, more of that division. I believe most people just want peace and as easy a life as possible – and honestly, who can blame them? But that is not what Reform UK delivers, and I’m not sure all of those voters have fully thought through what they were signing up for. Aren’t we all entitled to peace and an easy life, no matter who we are?
So let’s be clear about what Reform UK actually is. This is a party that wants to scrap the Equalities Act and abandon net zero in favour of expanding fossil fuel use. Across the UK, there’s also a record of racist, misogynistic and homophobic behaviour. So if you voted for them, you are – whatever your reasons – lending your support to every abhorrent thing they have said and done. That is just how endorsement works, whether we like it or not. Discrimination, division and hate don’t only thrive because of the people who practise it, but because of the decent people who have decided it isn’t their problem.
I refuse to accept that this is our majority, or who we are as a town. I hope, for all our sakes, that the residents of Rye who decided to vote for Reform UK ask themselves that question seriously. We are surely better than this, are we not?
Rye News invites letters and opinions from readers on all aspects of local life. If you would like to write for us email info@ryenews.org.uk
Image Credits: Jim Linwood https://www.flickr.com/photos/brighton/2595970508 CC https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
Sadly to hear the views of an anonymous shop keeper, Despite whether people like Reforms policy, Dan Bradley has set his stall for Rye, to represent all people of this town despite their politics, will it make any difference to the people of this town or our visitors, Of CourseNot.lets get behind our newly elected councillor, and be positive,and enough of the Negativity.
I thought Rye News had a policy that no one could hide behind a pseudonym or be anonymous.
Reform won nearly 1500 seats. Is that 1500 towns like Rye feeling betrayed, or is it democracy working as it should ?
Mr Editor how many hats are you wearing , anonymous people can now get a very self description of what they perceive as : bad for rye : printed in your post scripts.
You can’t run with the horses and hunt with the hounds.
Reform Dan Bradley is the most easy going guy we have met he served his country , he has held important posts within the civil service has a lovely wife and 3 children and is extremely honest , no he is not a local man and not persuaded by local dignitaries that can include anyone who you think can influence public opinion.
I hope I haven’t touched on anyones feelings and also hope that you print this article.
In an Opinion section of the paper, there is nothing wrong with making an argument for or against any political party or its policies. However any view put forward without the author being prepared to put his or her name to it completely invalidates their argument, particularly when it is combined with claims, that some might feel to be scurrilous, without any facts given to back them up. The writer is stating fairly standard views of the political Left and they are absolutely entitled to do that but please have the courage of your convictions to say who you are. If the excuse is that you do not want to upset any of your customers, then perhaps your views are best kept to yourself. Oh, and for the record, before I am accused of being an apologist for the ‘Far Right’, I cast my vote at the election but no, I did not vote for Reform. although, now that he is elected, I wish our new councillor every success in making the voice of the people of Rye well and truly heard at RDC and ESCC
I disagree. Supporters of both far right, far left and other niche groups are notorious for illegal acts against people who either don’t condone their extreme views or are members of the minorities they victimise. So no, it’s often not safe to nail your flag to the mast publicly at all.
That is probably true. In the lead up to the election, numerous ‘Vote Green’ signs were torn down in Rye, some of them repeatedly. The vandalism was reported to the Police. Some Green Party volunteers distributing leaflets, or even just standing outside the polling station as greeters on polling day, had to endure vile verbal abuse. There has been a dramatic decline in courtesy and respect in the last 10 years. So I understand the author’s wish to remain anonymous, although I am saddened that it is necessary.
Totally agree with your last sentence, Dominic. No one should have to be fearful of disclosing their name, but, because of the hate and division that has ’emerged’ with the rise of Reform UK, I don’t blame anyone and I increasingly realise why people do. I find it even more disturbing that Green Party members/supporters were verbally abused just for being progressive.
Why publish some mean spirited piece without a name ? If they are so proud of their opinions what are they afraid of ? Millions of people voted Reform and no doubt will do so in a general election when it comes. The UK needs change, it is stultifying in worn out, unworkable ideas, trapped by a civil service and local authorities who have mismanaged the money and our lives. As far as I can tell the new Reform representative for Rye seems a decent, caring and fair man who just might bring a fresh perspective to the area.
Yes, the country is somewhat split, whose fault is that ? I say ruling elites who have absolutely no idea what the average life is like, who live in ivory towers disconnected from ordinary lives. Whether Reform is the answer only time and a GA will tell, but it can’t be worse than the chaos and discontent caused by the current party and before that have ruled over the UK since WW11, the writer needs to see and hear what the majority feel not what’s in their own head.
This makes some important points, I would expect Dan Bradley to address them in depth.
The author of this article is ‘heartbroken’ and ‘astounded’, and has produced an arrogant, patronising, and patently bizarre opinion piece. An article that is ill informed and factually wrong. Does the author really believe that tourists who plan to visit Rye will not come because a particular group has gained a tiny bit of influence over the town? A good few are not keen on Donald Trump but it didn’t stop over 70 million tourist visiting the USA last year. Over 40 million visited China in a similar period despite the alleged atrocities carried out against some of their indigenous kinfolk (yes I know they are bigger entities than Rye, but you get my drift). It is arrant nonsense to suggest visitors will be deterred by local politics. The vast majority of sensible tourists anywhere, keep to the number one rule. Don’t get involved with local politics or local religion. The article is just a self indulgent ‘puff piece’ of the type much liked by the denizens of Islington and Hampstead. The lefty, Liberal elite who are often astounded, shocked and heartbroken by the sheer audacity and perceived ignorance of people that disagree with them.
Same old tired sound bites of ‘ Liberal elite’ living in Islington’ , what does that mean?
I’m not sure who they are, it sounds like a quote from the Daily Mail. Reform, if anybody reads a real newspaper, intend to remove workers rights, abolish equal pay for women, support zero based contracts and voted against an increase in the minimum wage and hire and fire, all in the Employment Rights Act.
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I’m sure no visitor is deterred by Rye voting in a Reform councillor, it’s no different from the rest of the country. Still, let’s see how our new councillor deals the mundane job of finance and complaints from residents.
I think it’s a distraction to get hung up on this being an anonymous letter. This letter expresses heartfelt sadness that lots of people share. Thanks for expressing so eloquently and clearly what so many of us feel.
So Reform we are experiencing massive surge in support but a comment by JT stating that we should forget about politics and get behind our new councillor. So do we support a party ( company) that opposed the Employment Rights Act 2025?
Farage and his MPs who systematically voted against this bill and a rise in the minimum wage.
Reform are no friend of the working class, a company run by billionaires, they’re not really interested in local politics but seeding the rise of fascism.
One sad unknown rye shop keeper believes reform uk would be bad for the town, what a load of rubbish in the town this Saturday 16th it was absolutely packed with shoppers.
Does he think, honestly believe people will say don’t go to Rye because they are run by Reform uk council i don’t think so.
Vic vicarey
To add some balance here, racial and religious bias is not the preserve of those on right of politics, nor is it the preserve of white people. Fact is, racial and religious bias also exists on the left of politics and among people of all colours. Uncomfortable truths, but facts nonetheless.
“The illusionary truth effect” This is where people see or hear something enough times it is perceived as being fact or truth, regardless of its veracity or truthfulness. Governments, politicians, corporations, mainstream media and individuals love to use this tactic to push their own narrative. Therefore it’s wise to be mindful of this and thoroughly inform oneself before jumping on any bandwagon.
It is fair to say the words “racist” and “hate” are powerful and impactful. In my opinion, these words are increasingly misused and overused in society. Their repeated use are often opinions rather than facts. However these words are weaponised particularly by those on the left of politics, which is extremely distasteful.
This leads me to ask, should one infer everyone on the left of politics is a racist too? Would the editor of Rye News publish an anonymous opinion piece implying left leaning voters endorse the racially and religiously biased ideas of a few? Would those voters be deeply offended? It is these questions which lead me to suggest the editor was unwise publishing this anonymous opinion piece. I would therefore hope in future the editor exercise better judgement.
On a final note, I would urge everyone to think very carefully before freely throwing around the words “hate” and “racist.” We have laws for dealing with racism and hate speech, some of which should be stronger, especially regarding anti-semitism. Fact is the vast majority of us share many common beliefs. So let’s stop with the divisive nonsense which clouds addressing the real issues.
It is a sign of the times in Reformed UK that individuals are afraid to include their name or other personal details in comments. The rise of Reform UK since the General Election in 2024 has been accompanied by a significant increase in race crimes, increasingly violent protests at centres accommodating asylum seekers, and an ultra nationalist emergence of flag waving which has intimidated people of colour from venturing into areas containing these flags. We are fortunate in Rye to have very little evidence of such racism so far, but that does not mean we should be complacent about that. Far from it. As a candidate in the recent County Council elections for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) on a very publicly displayed anti-racist and pro-asylum seeker programme I can relate to the fears of those whom want to remain anonymous when they comment. I chose not to, and had my £500 bike stolen in broad daylight and within my sight on the penultimate day of that campaign coincidently or otherwise.
To state the obvious Pete, your £500 bike may have been stolen because it’s a £500 bike. To insinuate that it was a politically motivated theft is a bit of a stretch. I’m also very sorry to hear that your bike was stolen.
Thanks Ben. I understand what you are saying. I did say it might well have been a coincidence that my bike was stolen when it was. It was a number of local friends who have suggested it may also have been otherwise. And it was old, no longer worth £500, and left regularly in town. But it may just have been a coincidence that it happened when it did.
Please don’t publish anonymous articles, it’s bad enough that some people who ‘comment’ on here hide behind fake ‘handles’. If you print articles anonymously it just becomes like twitter/meta etc …
If people don’t feel safe to state their names, that is precisely why anonymous articles SHOULD appear!
With the rise of the far right in the UK, stopping anonymous publications would seem to be exactly the wrong move.
It’s similar to why whistleblowers should be allowed to remain anonymous.
I don’t know who Dan Bradley is. I wasn’t canvassed, never heard his point of view, never saw any literature informing me of what he intended to do for the community. However, I did read the opening speech by the newly elected president of East Sussex County Council, which seemed moderate and allayed some of my fears that we might see the incompetence and infighting that has plagued KCC, Worcestershire and other Reform led councils. As always the proof is in the pudding so the next nine months will be interesting.
Unfortunately Mr Bradley never made it to our village either so I was unable to form an opinion as to what sort of person he is or what he stands for, although he did make some, to me, objectionable comments about asylum seekers in one of his speeches. I do know that I find the views of the party he represents abhorrent, and words fail me about the party leader. Jonathon Bennett, above, says millions (presumably nationally) voted for Reform but if you look at local statistics that does
not equate to a fair proportion of seats across East Sussex because of our antiquated FPTP electoral system. Reform got 29% of the vote, winning 22 seats, Labour and Conservative together got 24% but only 3 seats. On this evidence can anyone say that Reform is really representing what the electorate think? And then of course there are the many people who did not express an opinion by declining to bother to vote so who knows what they think.
It’s good to hear that Reform want the National Anthem and the Lords Prayer part of every council meeting, that should be helpful in fixing the potholes.