Quote Originally Posted by Andy_Faber View Post
Serious question, how come he is / reform is so popular?
Well first one has to define "so popular", the Polls indicate that reform is more popular than other parties at the moment, but anybody who takes them at face value doesn't understand the flaws.

His main attraction seems to be, as indeed with most populists, is that they can tap into issues that a certain proportion of the population get angsty about and offer simplistic solutions and of course a scapegoat, in this case immigrants. Many voters like simple solutions it means they don't have to think about the complications of life.

One of the most robust findings in social psychology is that people find ways to believe whatever they want to believe.

The swathe of anti Labour sentiment, that is whipped up by the billionaire ex pat owned media is definitely amplifying the "message" he spreads which ought to make most people wonder why, and despite having a number of opaque if not exactly dodgy dealings there isn't it seems the same level of focus on this.

Where he will fall apart and its happening now, is when he tries to put forward detailed financial policies and move away from the immigration dog whistle politics, which he will if he is to get the votes he needs.

The other main reason, is no political party is offering a real alternative, yet as the recent election of the Mayor in new York shows it can be done, it also shows the extent, which isn't exactly mirrored in the UK, that the real wealthy elite will go to oppose any politician that has the nerve to offer a different vision. Billions of dollars were pumped into opposing the guy who won, even many in the Democratic party opposed him.