Alan Cook is the Reform UK candidate for the Bromley & Biggin Hill Constituency. Cook describes the area as a good place to live but notes a decline in public services and resident safety that has degraded its quality of life.
His civic involvement primarily revolves around policing and planning, areas where he has accumulated significant experience and insight.
Cook has expressed concern over the increasing acceptance of knife crime among local parents, a situation he finds unacceptable. He advocates for a zero-tolerance approach to knife crime and emphasizes the need for an increased police presence and visibility in the community.
Further, Cook calls for a removal of what he terms "wokeness" from policing practices, criticizing the focus on "thought policing" and the investigation of non-criminal hate incidents such as mis-gendering or social media comments. He argues for a return to traditional, "old school" policing methods to address serious social issues and restore respect and effectiveness to the police force.
On planning issues, Cook criticizes the Conservative party for favoring developers over local residents' interests and the Labour party for hindering business. He proposes a balanced approach that benefits all stakeholders, especially in the development of affordable housing.
Cook argues that affordable housing should be sustainable and not restricted by green belt designations or the push towards Net Zero emissions. He envisions a system where affordable housing is a standard expectation in new developments, not merely a minimal requirement to satisfy legal obligations.
Alan Cook stands for Reform UK because he believes it is the only party that truly represents ordinary citizens. He touts Reform UK’s policies as grounded in common sense and free from traditional political ideologies.
Cook positions the party as a champion of British family values and a protector of the nation's history, heritage, and culture, emphasizing that it prioritizes the interests of the UK and its citizens above all.
Reform UK presents itself as a political alternative to the traditional two-party system in Britain, criticizing both the Conservative and Labour parties for their perceived failures. The party positions itself as a champion of common sense, aiming to address the numerous crises it perceives in British society, from immigration and public spending to healthcare and energy policies.
Reform UK proposes a strict limit on non-essential immigration, arguing that it will alleviate pressure on housing, public services, and wages, and protect British culture and values. The party plans to implement a robust strategy to prevent illegal immigration, including detaining and deporting illegal migrants and ending health tourism and immediate access to benefits for new arrivals.
The economic strategy includes significant tax cuts aimed at boosting the income of the working class and incentivizing small businesses. Key measures include raising the income tax threshold, reducing corporation tax for small and medium-sized enterprises, and abolishing certain business taxes to encourage investment and economic growth.
Reform UK seeks to eliminate NHS waiting lists and proposes tax breaks for healthcare workers to address staff shortages. The party advocates for using private healthcare capacity to alleviate the burden on the NHS, suggesting a voucher system for patients facing long wait times.
A controversial aspect of their platform is the rejection of Net Zero carbon goals, which the party claims are economically damaging. Reform UK intends to revive the domestic oil and gas industries, reduce reliance on renewable energy subsidies, and explore new nuclear technology without the constraints of current environmental regulations.
The party pledges to increase police numbers, implement zero tolerance policies on crime, and expedite the deportation of foreign criminals. It also aims to reform the justice system by mandating life sentences for repeat violent offenders and enhancing the budget for criminal justice.
Reform UK calls for significant constitutional reforms, including leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, reforming the House of Lords, and introducing a proportional representation voting system. These changes are aimed at making Britain's political system more democratic and accountable.
Reform UK’s platform is built on a foundation of radical change across multiple sectors of government and society. The party seeks to dismantle what it views as failed policies and replace them with a framework that prioritizes British sovereignty, cultural identity, and economic independence.