In a political climate characterised by division and disagreement, one thing seems unanimous: this country needs a reform. With experts fearing an economic crisis, government officials regularly facing scandal, and frustration on all sides of the political spectrum at seemingly an all-time high, something needs to be done. However, is Reform UK the saviour we need, or are they no better than anybody else?

All evidence supports that, despite a very impressive propaganda campaign, the answer seems clear: no. Yet, statistics do not reflect that. In opinion polls for the Wales 2026 Senedd Election, Reform UK ranks just second place, at 21%; Plaid Cymru lead the polls (28%), and Green Party (19%), Labour (15%), and the Conservatives (12%) round out the top five.

This raises two questions: firstly, why are Reform UK, despite issues, receiving so much support, and secondly, what can young people do about it? In my view, the solution is to converse genuinely and openly with those you disagree with to find common ground, but before getting to that, we need to understand the first question by considering the core of that frustration alluded to earlier. The truth is the British people feel a very understandable anger at the state of the country, and by considering different perspectives, we can better grasp the specifics of why people are annoyed and what must be done.

Granted, this anger can manifest in disgusting ways; see the frightening rise of racism towards immigrants, for example. I like to believe, though, that most people are not inherently hateful. That the rise of bigoted rhetoric coincides with rising disdain for the state of the country is not a coincidence.

More likely is that Reform UK weaponise that legitimate frustration for illegitimate purposes. Their rhetoric of hatred gives people someone to blame, and by providing an “enemy,” (more accurately, a scapegoat) their incompetency is ignored. So, with the support of Reform UK understood, we can start to consider the main question: what can young people do to fight back?

I feel that therein lies the issue: everybody needs to stop thinking of it as a fight at all. When already things are so fractured, arguing and blaming on all sides only furthers division, when we all need unity. The us-versus-them culture on all sides is fundamentally counterproductive, and mocking or belittling those you disagree with only alienates them further.

Young people, specifically, have a clear problem in that they spend so much time explaining how awful Reform UK are and providing alternatives within their own bubble that the message never reaches the people who need to hear it. Yet, for as much as many young people have weaknesses that must be addressed, so too do they have undeniable strengths, particularly in three key areas: empathy for people of all walks of life, awareness of what is happening in the political climate, and the ability to clearly, concisely communicate ideas. Why not use these, then?

Surely, to reiterate, the best course of action is to start a dialogue with people you disagree with to find answers. Young people have an immensely valuable perspective, but it is only half the puzzle, and we, as a society, need the whole. Furthermore, many see Reform UK as the solution, so certainly communicate and deconstruct why they are not that, but also provide alternatives.

In Wales, Plaid Cymru is the best chance at defeating Reform UK, so explain how their economic, social and political policies might better serve their needs. As young people, we do not have to change the world alone. As inspirational as they are, we need not be the next Greta Thunberg or Malala Yousafzai.

Simply by communicating with people with different views from our own, from all backgrounds, by listening and pooling knowledge, we can all find solutions to our problems. Reform UK are not the way, but we will find the way. Together.