The None of the Above election | spiked podcast

Matt Goodwin and Rakib Ehsan join Tom Slater for the latest episode of the spiked podcast. In this General Election special, they discuss Rishi Sunak’s ‘national service’ gimmick, Nigel Farage’s plan to make the election a referendum on immigration, Diane Abbott’s battle with Keir Starmer, and much more.
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[@kdog3908]

"None of the Above" should be a box on the ballot. Doesn't get anyone elected, granted, but it shows just how much of the electorate is willing to cast a vote with none of the candidates considered worthy. It beats just spoiling the paper or not turning up.

[@peterloxham502]

It is! Go to your booth, put a big x on the paper and put on NOTA! But please if you count vote for reform then vote NOTA!

[@Woodzta]

I'm not surprised that cynicism is very high and it's easy to say "they're all useless" but there are good MPs and candidates out there that care and try to get things done that aren't in the cabinet or aren't often heard from in the media. I'm only one person obviously, but I do like to vote for the person and their principles rather than the party.

[@anthonybartlett6924]

@@Woodzta other than bridgen & possibly chope who else. 2 out 650 is not good.

[@JohnRussell-js4tz]

I do not consent on your ballot paper

[@kdog3908]

@@Woodzta In my mind, that would very much depend on a given MPs willingness to defy the party whip when they disagree with them.

[@lucymay446]

As a young person im really scared if labour get in.

[@olixz]

Why? The Tories won't do and haven't done anything for young people.

[@stumccabe]

Lucy, I'm an old man born in 1951. I grew up in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. I remember the UN sanctions against the Rhodesian government, the guerrilla war, my parents being hit by shrapnel from a hand grenade thrown into a restaurant and much else. I also experienced the absolute mess Labour got the UK into during the 1970s. As a grandfather of four including two granddaughters I hate the idea of a young woman like you being scared - believe me there is nothing to be scared of, concerned yes, scared no. I predict that things will start going wrong for labour quite quickly and we'll have another general election well before 2029 at which time the public will have turned against Labour and our country can get back on track. Think positive!

[@lucymay446]

@olixz I know that's what's so annoying! No one is good. Honestly I don't trust politicians they all seem in it for themselves rather than the good of the people which is what scares me the most

[@lucymay446]

@stumccabe gosh I'm so sorry you had to go through that, although by the sounds of it you're stronger for it. I think the worst part about this is, is that the issues a glaring us in the face and yet no one is doing anything about it. Either it's not politically correct to do so or it's cheaper/easier to ignore it. Where as in the long term we're all going to suffer.

[@SamInSomerset]

@@nolslifegrenThat’s a poorly constructed comment. What do you mean?

[@joehorne2808]

Like Rakib, I'm also from Luton. He makes me proud. It's good to see level headed, sensible, and sane representation.

[@amandaowen5091]

I lived 12 years in Luton & my 1st son was born at the L&D, very fond memories... if only all Lutonians were of Rakib's calibre. 🙏

[@typicalsomeone5073]

My sympathy goes to you

[@DrFurb]

Love Matt Goodwin..a very good speaker. 🎉

[@StellaTan-fk1ib]

0:03

[@Electriclentilman]

And a great suit

[@MsJackrussell2]

Everyone should listen to Matt. The Labour party will bring a whole new level of toxicity into No. 10. Wet Starmer will be bullied by the left wing of the party and we will be knee deep in even more illegal immigration, gender ideology and net zero. I know people are angry with the Tories and rightly so. But Labour is not the answer. We need a seismic shift towards Reform.

[@lokiwun]

And Rakib.

[@Mitjitsu]

As bad as things are now. It's about to get a whole lot worse under Labour.

[@CamKeg66]

Before we had mass immigration we never had to explain “British Values” because we were an homogeneous ethnic group. It’s pure cope. If we moved the entire population of Scotland out and moved in 5 million Nigerians and Pakistanis, would it still be Scotland? Magic soil does not exist.

[@RichardEnglander]

They speak of the military but Blair got rid of The Royal Tournament, things like that inspire. We have superficial wank politicians

[@whylie74]

I've alway thought "None of the Above" should be an option on every ballot paper and should count in the results.

[@SimonWallwork]

I solved the UKs' problems, by simply moving to Bulgaria. I know these problems still exist- but they no longer affect ME- and I'm not paying for it.

[@LadyMarigoldWithers]

What is it like to live there?

[@jonathanboyle6548]

I’m also in Bulgaria. I’m still concerned for my relatives in the UK.

[@lokiwun]

Rakib and Matt are always worth a listen. Tom does a good job keeping the discussion moving.

[@bmxaf]

Rational, composed and well-reasoned conversation and debate.. Spiked has really become one of the more objective channels for British political coverage here on YT...

[@geoffevans2489]

Vote Reform UK what do you have to lose?

[@brittrubin9461]

And I will spoil my vote by writing ‘ none of the above ‘ for the first time in my life

[@paulp6434]

Great podcast with two excellent guests.

[@FraserBailey-jm5yz]

I have been reading Rakib's work for some years now, and have seen him on various videos etc. He is very good, very perceptive and knowledgable, one of our very best social and political commentators.

[@rivka8576]

Yeah national service is a not a terrible idea in principle.... but I can't imagine it's appealing in a country that has failed young people so monumentally.

[@SteveHitchcock-g3t]

quick to get dole money might give young people a chance if done right

[@larrygerry985]

It is a stupid idea ..... the UK can't even recruit soldiers

[@Elizabeth-jd3mn]

I'd rather concentrate on community service that makes people feel part of society than national service that compulsory military service from a generation that's been failed on a catastrophic level is a sick joke.

[@clovermark39]

Not just young people. If they supported the military then people would want to join up anyway.

[@cargumdeu]

The 'right to protest', perhaps, but not every flaming saturday. When it becomes an excuse to intimidate and boast of one's power, when it is menacing and comes with death threats, it should be ruled unlawful and further permission denied.

[@amandaowen5091]

It's really hard to choose favourite presenters, but Rakib & Matt with Tom as host (sorry Ella, Candice & Faser 🫣) are definitely up there.

[@chadmastermorgan]

So great to see Based Rakib irl on the podcast. More please.

[@RichardEnglander]

31:40 this section by Matt needs cutting and sharing, the bit about what this Labour government will actually do. It is outrageous.

[@jimbo-yv5jh]

There's only one culture in the UK and that's British culture, if people don't like it they should leave.

[@NorfolkSceptic]

What, no mention of the policy, supported by both main parties, that will destroy the country? I'm talking about the disastrous, bankrupting, NET Zero policies that are a non-solution to non-problem! There's no Climate Emergency and, even if there was an emergency, the policies wouldn't have any effect. In fact, the extra CO2 is helping the increase in food production, and greening of the Sahara.

[@CamKeg66]

Immigration at replacement levels since 1997 is the cause of almost all our issues, as England has become so densely populated, so overcrowded and now is the most densely populated country in Europe. Fourth in the world. The answer is according to politicians more welfare dependent 3rd world immigrants. My country is falling apart before my eyes, my people becoming a minority against our will, but most people seem ok with it as long as they can watch Netflix and have Deliveroo.

[@pjmn55]

Matt Goodwin refers to ‘a moderate responsible Blarite party’. He really should know better. There is nothing moderate about Blairism. It is much more radical and damaging to the country than Corbyn’s brand of shouty left wing student SWP politics.

[@carltaylor6452]

That's only because Corbyn didn't get to form a government.

[@delgodzilla1977]

Would really love to see Matt and Rakib discuss in detail the views/values of the 'muslim community' as they've both referred to survey data that seem to tell different stories.

[@user-yg2gw4je8d]

"Compulsory volunteering" sounds exactly like slavery, but as described by Sir Humphry Appleby.

[@RichardEnglander]

Even if all the immigration was from say friendly Australia, I'd still be saying that it is unsustainable and causing the housing EMERGENCY. Sure, there would be fewer problems, no j1had and rapp gangs etc, and free speech would be better, no forced marriage, inbreeding, anti democracy etc, it would be much better but still it would be causing wage and productivity stagnation whilst exacerbating the housing EMERGENCY.

[@ommk9650]

Yeah, like Hannah Gadsby​@@rw9854

[@louisedeschamps7470]

Tom, Matt and Rakib are my favourite panel. I agree with Steve Bannon's prediction that the UK economy will crash on Labour's watch.

[@danc5870]

Hope Fraser's dentist trip went well 😬🪥

[@peterloxham502]

Send this to Nigel, Lord Frost and David Davies and pray to your god they take up this fantastic advice! We have failed in this country to progress ANY leaders!

[@Smudge5632]

Not boring now Nigel threw his hat in.

[@lindajohnson9282]

I’m so glad that Richard Pryor’s version of Brewster’s Millions got the recognition that’s long been overdue!

[@Eemes1000]

This was a great episode, good job lads

[@liamhemmings9039]

Mehdi is the most obvious 5th Columnist.

[@notmyrealname9032]

Thank goodness for having Matt Goodwin on as a voice of truth and reason. Great podcast, shame about the ever increasing number of adverts cropping up.

[@pads-zr9ln]

Giving contracts out based on skin colour, I don't think the 3% will like that

[@HawkNews-xp7kx]

Just look at Wales, Scotland or London what Labour will do when they get IN. I am not a Conservative member or supporter but Labour will be a nightmare. If you think it is bad now, wait when Labour get in the next election. Most of our problems starting in 1997. It is very difficult to role back lots the laws, etc from then. The civil service don’t help, just look at Sue Gray. Look Angela Rayner, David Lammy, Emily Thornberry, Diane Abbott, Shabana Mahmood, Liz Kendall, Ed Miliband, etc. None of them have any experience of life. The Peter principle applies. If they have large majority, it will be chaos.

[@1physics]

Some of those politicians you mention had long careers before entering politics. Keir was a successful lawyer. Don't know what's happened to you to make you worried about a party based on looking after poorer people and bringing back social responsibilities in young people getting some power. Especially with a successful, intelligent caring person in charge. Mass immigration isn't a thing - the percentage of non-British people coming into the country in the last 10 years has been fewer than we need to maintain the jobs that we have vacant and on average, migrants pay more money in tax than we spend on them. They are the facts I'm afraid even though it doesn't prop up the racist narrative. Of course when Muslims are being ethnically cleansed by Israelis, they will support the leading party in Palestine rather than the Israeli leadership. Supporting the Israelis right now is about as anti-British as anyone can get. We are a country of immigrants and proud we always have been!

[@JCRezonna-dl5qz]

Angela Rayner's seen plenty of life. You're talking out of your arse.

[@HawkNews-xp7kx]

@@JCRezonna-dl5qz What experience to be in government?

[@JCRezonna-dl5qz]

@@HawkNews-xp7kxBut you're setting an impossible standard if you're saying that the only thing that makes you fit to be in government is experience of being in government.

[@SteveHitchcock-g3t]

i always like RAkib we need stand him for parliment or even a talk show i think he would so much respect from the voteing public come to bristol and stand lot people vote for rakib

[@womenonthemovefitness]

Brilliant piece

[@LadyMarigoldWithers]

If we have a candidate in my area I will be voting for Reform.

[@excession3076]

I don't think the Conservatives are going to do nearly as badly as these people think. Nobody wants to vote for them but Labour is seriously frightening.

[@aaronbeat1136]

They are going to get hammered, and that will give Starmer a huge majority to do what he wants, or accurately what his overloards want. So in reality more of the same. Immigration, austerity, housing shortages, bigger NHS waiting times, more crime, net zero. Welcome to 3rd world Britain

[@Ryotbh]

An interesting take. I think Conservatives will massively struggle. No one within the Conservative party likes Sunak and most of the membership consider him a snake for how he undermined both Johnson and Truss. All it takes is for a large chunk of the Conservative party's base to either not vote or protest vote.

[@excession3076]

@@Ryotbh The base will vote, it's the conservative thing to do. Plus they are scared witless of what Labour will do. It's those who are more "floating" that won't. But then, why would they vote for Labour either? A lot of people who desperately want something to change are also very scared of the prospect of a Labour government. It's all a bloody mess and there is a lot of confusion as to why the Conservatives have created the mess. Why they have put themselves in this situation and who they have been listening to. Because over and over again, that's what people say. Why did a party with a huge majority not listen to the people who gave them that majority?

[@K9Weddings]

I disagree. The Tory party will have their worst ever election. Yes Labour are frightening but many who supported Tory last time have been let down so badly that they will NEVER vote Tory again. So many Tory MP's are standing down because they know they are finished. The Tory party are hoping that Labour make such a mess of government that they get in next time. They are deluded though. The public are furious at how undemocratic they have become. The membership didn't get a say on the leader when May and Sunak came to power. When they did get a say and Boris and Truss won the press targeted them and the likes of Cummings and Raab. The party looks nothing like the one that won an 80 seat majority last time. Instead David Cameron was given a huge job despite not even being an MP. The public will punish the Tory party and I can't see them recover. Who would trust any rebranding?

[@R2D6_10]

Shouldn't none of the above result in the King Ruling for a few years? Lol

[@o00nemesis00o]

Maybe. But God save us from the King…

[@leehallam9365]

Presumably Labour will need to put its identity policies in its manifesto, that should be the opportunity for both the Tories and Reform to highlight them and see if they can chip away some of the socially conservative voters from Labour. Even if that is just to pull them into the not voting block.

[@scottanderson3967]

Zero seats

[@andrewhotston983]

Reform UK is effectively the None Of The Above option in this election.

[@russellsherwood1491]

So if it isnt 46%, is 1%, 2%? Is it a tiny amount? No. Does it hurt feelings? Yes. Does that make it unimportant?

[@lifeintheolddog5768]

Thinking about the ‘national service’, 24 days x 8 hours is around 200 hours. What crimes have a typical tariff of around 200 hours community service and can they be written off against national service requirements?

[@matthewedwards1089]

Common sense is alive and well

[@Stoddardian]

Oswald Mosley was right about everything.

[@o00nemesis00o]

Oswald Mosely was a socialist and his son is a degenerate. “Punish me harder mummy”

[@urshp]

Thank you for this eye opening podcast, I have watched KZbin all week and this video speaks the truth, things we can´t always say. The media has gone mad regarding scandals as you say Rakib. I hope we all can make the best judgement in who to vote for, Labour and Tory aren´t working in anyone's interest, but then who is? Hmmmm this feels like an election where Tactical voting may increase in millions ( A term I have only discovered these few weeks)

[@kieronseth]

None of the beneath

[@colvaughan9596]

💯 none of the above.

[@kayjay9516]

100% agree. I’m usually quite politically engaged but I’m totally disinterested. Labour will be a disaster for women. Conservatives have had 14 years and the country feels in a bad way. None of the above for me. I will vote for my local Tory MP, as after emailing candidates, he’s the only one to reply with what a woman is and to support the Cass report. The others, even the Labour candidate in my own village, won’t reply. I’m a single issue voter for now.

[@angelmessenger8240]

It's always short term answers, always has been, they don't care because they know they're only there for 5 years and they can amass a good bank balance in that time from lobbyists and back handers and then move on to a directorship in a corporation. They don't give a damn.

[@Bamngbola]

Great episode, agree, cant stand any of them.

[@JohnRussell-js4tz]

Put on your ballot paper I do not con sent

[@santhawaldron8799]

Whether the British vote or not , the muslims will vote in big numbers and the losers will be the ignorant British voters ! My family and friends and I are voting Reform party!

[@johnglennmercury7]

Vote Brewster

[@halley4032]

I gather Fraser's appointment was scheduled for 2.30 .... (mass applause, roll credits ....)

[@geraldbrookes3666]

The plan is.......we dont have one

[@thomasbroleen4241]

This is in no way a swipe at Brendan as I think he's absolutely fantastic, but since Tom has taken over it seems the YT channel has gained more subscriptions.

[@martynfenton3814]

In the recent local elections I added my own box saying none of the above and only crossed it. Interesting to see when I examined the voting returns it did NOT appear at all according to the definitions on govt website of what constitute a spoilt ballot paper - undefined or crosses in all boxes. This needs to be raised as somehow my vote could not have been counted at all. Interesting eh?

[@richardmuskett931]

Seems to me , the central aim of both Conservatives and Labour is to look after THEMSELVES. We badly need a government that addresses the needs of the nation instead ...... that's what they're paid to do !

[@TheFoxpitt]

Isn't Fraser really away getting another COVID Booster?

[@zororat]

Munk debates are great and all that but Skip to 2 mins in guys to get to the actual video fuck me

[@mightymike2192]

If we're not conservative enough, don't come. Simple.

[@marieparker3822]

Dawn Butler.😮

[@keithalderson100]

Please do some research on the 'Global Compact for Migration' which our leaders have signed - along with over 100 other country leaders.

[@winstonsmasterplan]

Explain

[@dadsstuff5562]

The Tories will not get less than 30% of the vote, they never have. They will not become extinct, as Labour didn't in 2019 when that was the prediction, then. They need a few years of opposition, as they did in 1997.

[@AnnetteCurtain-tc4mh]

That's why reform is sniffing around, its not there to win,its there to protect the Conservatives from the undecided voting labour,reform is there to split the votes.

[@alisonbrown1841]

JUST BE FOREIGN ISSUE PROTESTS SHOULD BE BANNED, BUY THEM FLIGHTS!! BRITISH ISSUE PROTESTS ON BRITISH STREET ONLY

[@suereeves5994]

integration? speaking english would be a start.

[@malcolmcuthbertson3359]

Zero seats calls loudly for the Tories , but maybe Labour will be so useless on every issue that they actually manage to save them from their most deserved humiliation .

[@marieparker3822]

David Lammy as Foreign Secretary.🤔

[@wobblybobengland]

Vote Official Monster Raving Loony Party

[@carltaylor6452]

I've got a lot of respect for Rakib and his views, but if I have one niggle it's his persistent assertion that talking about migration and integration are 'sensitive issues'. They are sensitive issues to a particular class in this country; they are not issues that many people, among themselves, tiptoe around at all. And this is the problem: we will only begin to have an honest conversation when people stop treating these issues as 'sensitive'. Whose sensibilities are we protecting when we are sensitive, anyway? It's not minorities, I suspect, who are socially conservative in the main and did vote in large numbers for Brexit and the majority of whom are opposed to violent extremism, and even mass immigration; it's the middle-class 'woke' set in politics and the media and in our institutions who find all this too 'sensitive' to discuss, and quite frankly, I don't give a f*kc about their feelings.

[@winstonsmasterplan]

SPOIL YOUR BALLOT

[@alansmith8837]

Life .long labour man 74 yrs old(unfotunatly) half pissed never voted tory and never would left of centre leaniing steel worker bus driver( bcause of thatcher) ambulance driver then retired. Drop the woke the dei and the gender uncertanty and me and a few million like me might vote labour again. Are you listening Kia, i doubt it

[@o00nemesis00o]

…and their fawning over Islam?

[@eemapalmer530]

JESUS WAS A CONVICTED

[@jaaguitar]

I'm voting for the party that'll take the least money away from me. Simple as that. Still Conservatives.

[@o00nemesis00o]

You must be a pensioner. The Tories only help out pensioners and immigrants by stealing from everyone else; and immigrants vote Labour.

[@kierrantos587]

All I hear is "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh"

[@SuperHuia]

Great conversation other than the references to " black coloured and white populations". Human skin tone is a spectrum that varies seasonally and doesn't always reflect ancestry. Why do rational people use these terms when they are completely arbitrary and may vary from person to person? There's no genetics to support the ideas and all identity politics does is divide folk unnecessarily. There is zero explanation of what defines a white or black population biologically. No single gene: Nothing. So why why classify people this way when they are more likely to be unique individuals rather than a cohort of the same.

[@kronk420]

Will the levels of mass immigration that we're currently seeing lead to a collapse of the welfare state? Will a vote for Labour hasten it?

[@nmbilq]

AG1. The worst in junk food. Appreciate you need to bring in sponsors but you lose my respect and my future views by plugging this garbage.

[@nolslifegren]

Spiked aka Revolutionary Communist Party aka Mi5 Psyop

[@nolslifegren]

@@narcosniper78 Spooks

[@nolslifegren]

@@narcosniper78 Spooks

[@nolslifegren]

3 Tories speak with fork tongue

[@christinerussell113]

And you speak?????

[@nolslifegren]

@@christinerussell113 The truth ...

[@christinerussell113]

@nolslifegren And that is? Going by the tone of your comments, you appear to have a very high opinion of yourself as somehow knowing the "truth", while everyone else is wrong, if not stupid. So please, do enlighten us lesser mortals, let us in on your superior wisdom and knowledge.

[@nolslifegren]

@@christinerussell113 You're an ideologue . You have no interest in truth

[@alexander211974]

Sounds like prophet

[@poon_sumitvlogs2415]

Some party even welcomed criminals like Labour, Tory and Reform.

[@DarthQueefious]

I disagree with Matt when he says that the Blair Labour party was a moderate, responsible party. That is what it was sold as but once in power it upended so much of our country. We are dealing with the ramifications right now. Its marketing was exceptional tho, to the point it turned the Tories into Blue Labour. Starmer can (transparently) pretend to be patriotic and plaster all his leaflets and social media in the Union Jack, a directive straight from Blair himself, but just like his master, he will further upend the country. The predicament we are in is, outside of Reform, there is no opposition to Blairism.

[@Gilambesh]

The polling question is a little more telling than has been made out in my opinion. The poll gives people the option to say they would support a prescribed terror group over Jews. That has to be worth something.

[@terry9819]

Some interesting stuff but you lost the plot at the end and it turned into a poorly thought out rant.

[@fodsaks]

I can't wait to see Douglas Murray dismantle Mehdi Hassan again.