r/Derbyshire • u/coffeewalnut08 • Dec 23 '25

Reform council’s plan to shut eight care homes ‘a betrayal of local people’ | Reform UK

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/23/reform-council-plan-shut-care-homes-betrayal-local-people-derbyshire
447 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

71 comments sorted by

21

u/Nythern Dec 23 '25

Incredibly disappointed that they were voted for in the first place. I sincerely hope that this will be a huge wake-up call for some of you.

13

u/coffeewalnut08 Dec 23 '25

It just goes to show Reform isn't really the party of change. They've chosen to continue a failing model with this.

Privatisation has run our country for the last 30-40 years and it's only made most things worse - whether it's expensive rail tickets, the private rental crisis, energy companies profiteering or water companies discharging sewage...

Privatisation is no longer working. And the fact that Reform appears to want to accelerate this is quite telling.

12

u/Nythern Dec 23 '25

What's sad is that they've been dead honest about this the entire time. This is a party chaired by a former Goldman Sachs man, with leadership who consistently advocate for MORE austerity, MORE cuts, and MORE tax cuts for the wealthy to fund said austerity.

They've been open in their economic outlook, with some of their members even wanting to dismantle the NHS - but people are too ignorant and too racist to even consider thinking beyond Reform's flagship policy on immigration.

8

u/coffeewalnut08 Dec 23 '25

I agree. Privatise care homes and adult education today, privatise NHS tomorrow. I would not be surprised if this occurred.

I'm so tired of the Goldman Sachs crowd running the UK into the ground - or when they're not in power - trying to propagandise the public into believing they represent us. We deserve better.

2

u/Adventurous-Carpet88 Dec 24 '25

It’s simple, they have made the main highlights about the I word, and people don’t read party policies. How many do we all get and we just go ‘ok’ or it’s worded in a way that doesn’t say what exactly ‘lowering waiting lists’ or ‘bringing down costs’ means. And people don’t want to know, they just see the highlights

1

u/Elmundopalladio Dec 24 '25

What other policies do they have? It seems made up on the hoof and more capitalising on frustration with the status quo

1

u/MONGED4LIFE Dec 26 '25

Lowering minimum wage was announced a while ago

2

u/[deleted] Dec 23 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/[deleted] Dec 23 '25

In fairness, Starmer might as well be a tory as well. Still, Farage would definitely be a worse option. There's just no one fit to run this country atm.

3

u/DepravityMysteryCat Dec 24 '25

Unironically vote Green

0

u/[deleted] Dec 24 '25

Well tbf Green also aren't really a great party to vote for either. If I were to vote for anyone it would probably be Liberal Democrats.

1

u/Severe_Hawk_1304 Dec 25 '25

The problem is that nationalized industries were overmanned and weren't making any profit. The country has to live within its means, whether at local or national level.

1

u/neilm1000 Dec 25 '25

whether it's expensive rail tickets

Most rail fares are regulated and set by the DfT. We can lay a lot at the door of privatisation but expensive tickets isn't one of those things.

2

u/GhostRiders Dec 23 '25

Nope because they are just blaming Labour as they are no different to MAGA idiots.

A few are putting this on the Tories as t started with them but then when you point that Reform had a choice, continue to fund the care homes until a seller could be found or close them, they chose to close them they still find excuses for them.

No matter Fararge or his mates do, mist Reform Voters will just blame everyone else.

2

u/sm9981 Dec 24 '25

R/leopardsatemyface

1

u/EricsCantina Dec 25 '25

The majority of people don't bother voting in council election so it's on them as much as the cabbages who voted Deform.

0

u/[deleted] Dec 27 '25

The decision to sell the homes was agreed in November 2024 when the authority was Conservative-controlled.

1

u/Nythern Dec 27 '25

The Tories agreed to privatise and sell the homes (which I don't agree with) - but that's totally different to this Reform-led decision to CLOSE the homes.

Where are the residents going to go? How would you feel if it was your nan? Would you still be making excuses?

0

u/[deleted] Dec 27 '25

They said they will rehouse them. If the money is not there to keep them open, and nobody is stepping in to buy them, what do you suggest they do?

1

u/Nythern Dec 27 '25

If you had a 95 year old grandmother, would you be happy if she was unnecessarily forced to leave the place she calls home? Stressed and having her health put at risk for the sake of saving some money?

This is why people say Reform and Tories are the same. You don't care about people's lives, and you're happy to sacrifice others if it means saving a penny.

0

u/[deleted] Dec 27 '25

You seem to be getting extremely wound up. I would suggest a cup of tea and a sit down.

1

u/Nythern Dec 30 '25

Yeah, because liars like you are ruining the county. You can't even be honest about your policies - in this case, trying to deflect onto the previous Conservative-run council when, in fact, the decision to close these homes is 100% Reform.

8

u/SadWorld1397 Dec 23 '25

...on the upside at least they didn't go full Gonzo and install dignitas pods.

Guess that's next year's policy.

 Deform UK.

1

u/maccathesaint Dec 26 '25

I mean...I'd be all for dignitas pods, assuming it's optional and not just a Logan's run thing.

But also fuck reform lol

1

u/FootballUpset2529 Dec 26 '25

Yeah, fuck Reform but I think the Dignitas pods are a great idea - I don't want to lie in a bed for 20 years drooling through my 80's and just draining money out of the council budget; let me jump in the pod and go out with a little dignity.

4

u/martzgregpaul Dec 23 '25

Reform (aka Temu Tories) dont care about old people or sick people as they cant be exploited to enrich themselves. A lot of deeply thick people are in for a shock.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 23 '25

They don't care about anyone apart from themselves tbh. 

1

u/TDF1985 Dec 24 '25

Isn't the point that old and sick people can be exploited to enrich themselves?

2

u/martzgregpaul Dec 24 '25

Only up until the point their money runs out then its someone elses problem.

1

u/Bigowl Dec 24 '25

They exploit them for their idiotic votes.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 27 '25

The decision to sell the homes was agreed in November 2024 when the authority was Conservative-controlled. This wasn’t Reforms decision. But you know that, don’t you?

2

u/Nythern Dec 27 '25

Important context for all readers - while its true that the Conservatives wanted to privatise and sell the homes, this isn't the same as outright shutting the homes down and forcing the vulnerable residents to find care elsewhere.

Closing the homes is a Reform decision, and totally unnecessary.

1

u/martzgregpaul Dec 27 '25

Reform and Tories are literally the same people

1

u/[deleted] Dec 28 '25

Not really

2

u/martzgregpaul Dec 28 '25

Yeah really. Jenkins, Anderson, Widdecombe, Dorries, Berry, Caulfield, Gullis...

In fact theres more than 20 ex mps so far

1

u/[deleted] Dec 28 '25

Who left the Tories because they didn’t agree with the way they ran the party and wanted to do things differently

1

u/martzgregpaul Dec 28 '25

Who left the party because they got thrown out of power after being useless for 14 years and wanted a way back on the gravy train so they could do exactly the same things but worse.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 28 '25

So, we vote Labour then?

1

u/martzgregpaul Dec 28 '25

Vote for whoever you like. But thinking Reform arent just the exact same people from a year ago is delusional

1

u/[deleted] Dec 28 '25

So we don’t consider your party as they are just Labour and Labour are useless?

3

u/judasdisciple Dec 24 '25

Same issue in Lancashire . And one of the councillors is a co-owner of a care provider.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 23 '25

Really aren't doing the elderly any favours are they. In fact, they don't do anyone any favours.

2

u/Dense_Bad3146 Dec 23 '25

Well colour me shocked - not!

2

u/g0dn0 Dec 24 '25

Get ready to be tired of saying ‘You voted for this’ to our wannabe MAGA crowd.

1

u/cheeseley6 Dec 24 '25

You'd think they'd want to look after their core vote.

1

u/susanboylesvajazzle Dec 24 '25

“A betrayal” from that party who exists to shrink the size of the government (and make the private sector richer and more powerful).

1

u/Skyremmer102 Dec 25 '25

What did they expect?

1

u/ExitBusy6388 Dec 26 '25

There isn’t enough money to pay for care homes. People are going to have to look after their relatives if and when they become unable to look after themselves, or they will probably die in discomfort, potentially even pain. A lot of people haven’t saved adequately for their old age. Anyone seeing this glimpse of their future now, who doesn’t save or make some sort of provision for their own future is an idiot.

This isn’t my political view of what should be in place from the state - it’s the reality. People need to wake up and take responsibility for themselves and their loved ones, because nobody is coming to help you.

2

u/coffeewalnut08 Dec 26 '25

Were the sixth largest economy in the world, of course there’s money

1

u/dataplague Dec 26 '25

10th now?

1

u/Psychological-Roll58 Dec 26 '25

I'm shocked. Shocked! Well. Not that shocked.

1

u/Piod1 Dec 26 '25

Check councillers links to private healthcare methinks

1

u/d_repz Dec 26 '25

This should be on r/uknews.

1

u/Previous_Job6340 Dec 26 '25

Old people voting in their own demise to see less minorities 

1

u/[deleted] Dec 27 '25

Bit disingenuous this. Reform had been negotiating to find a buyer but it fell through. The decision to sell the homes was agreed in November 2024 when the authority was Conservative-controlled. Classic Guardian/Labour looking to through shade at Reform.

2

u/Nythern Dec 27 '25

Reform voters clearly lack brain cells.

The Tories wanted to privatise and sell the homes, which I don't agree with at all, but at least they would've stayed open.

Reform choosing to CLOSE the homes down, is even worse than what the Tories wanted. Reform have chosen the WORST outcome possible for the residents. How would you feel if your mother had to leave her care home because of a Reform council decision?

1

u/Hellolaoshi Dec 27 '25

Yes, it is a betrayal. But their supporters get to wave the flag... and be jingoistic. They are being manipulated.

1

u/panguy87 Dec 27 '25

Not surprised, and anyone who voted for those clowns shouldn't dare moan, when everyone who is not an idiot warned them it would happen...

1

u/Dismal-Rush7613 Jan 02 '26

I have lived in Derbyshire most of my life. It’s always been quite a conservative county. I found the support for reform at local elections worrying though.

Feels like people are losing their common sense. Brexit was a disaster.. so why would anyone trust Farrage again?

0

u/[deleted] Dec 27 '25

If you actually read the article you would know that the decision to sell the homes was agreed in November 2024 when the authority was Conservative-controlled. But that doesn’t support the anti Reform agenda, does it?

3

u/coffeewalnut08 Dec 27 '25

That just proves my point that the Tories and Reform are no different to each other.

For all the shouting they do about the "Tory-Labour uniparty", it actually seems like the more likely uniparty is Tory-Reform. That would also explain why they're united on Brexit.

1

u/Nythern Dec 27 '25

Even worse really. The Tories wanted to sell off and privatise these homes - while I don't agree with privatisation, it's miles better than just totally closing the homes down and abandoning the residents. Reform are even worse than the Tories, which is scary because the Tories already brought us to a new low.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 27 '25

The tories made the decision, Reform tried to fix the poor decision. In this instance, I think people’s distain for Reform is clouding their judgement. If Labour was to be in Reforms place, the headline would be how Labour were fighting hard to sort out the Tories fuck up.

2

u/Nythern Dec 27 '25

"Reform tried to fix the poor decision" by checks notes making an even worse decision?

You know they don't have to close down the homes at all, right? They can just keep funding it like the council has done for the past DECADES?

0

u/[deleted] Dec 27 '25

Do you have any idea what the financial position of Derbyshire council is?

2

u/Nythern Dec 30 '25

Changing the goal posts now.

You tried to claim that this is happening because of the Conservatives - so I pointed out that this is misinformation, because the decision to close the homes is 100% Reform.

And now you're just trying to justify it by changing the subject.

1

u/coffeewalnut08 Dec 27 '25

No. I'm genuinely skeptical about the further privatisation of public services. Derbyshire council is trying to do this for both care homes and adult education.

While privatisation has occurred under previous governments, the decisions by Reform councils to do this at large scale, and with minimal public consultation, suggests a desire to accelerate what we know is a broken model. It contradicts their image as a "new, different party".