Ash Leaning is a professional HGV driver with nearly a decade of experience in the transport industry. He also has a background in agricultural contracting from his younger years.
Leaning has spent most of his life in the North Dorset area and currently resides in Sturminster Newton. Throughout his life, he has temporarily left the area for education and work abroad, including driving road trains in Australia.
Leaning has decided to enter the political sphere due to his frustration with the current political climate.
Ash Leaning is deeply dissatisfied with the performance of both major political parties over the past decades. He feels betrayed by 13 years of fiscal mismanagement under Labour, followed by 14 years of what he describes as chaotic and deceitful Conservative rule.
Leaning criticizes the handling of taxpayer money, questioning how it can be justified to fund hotel accommodations for illegal immigrants while domestic issues remain unresolved. He is particularly incensed by the significant discrepancy between the reported NHS waiting list figures, which he claims are vastly understated by the Conservatives.
Leaning also highlights the alarming national debt, stagnant economy, and the questionable allocation of British taxpayers' money to support foreign governments and proxy wars.
Leaning is concerned about the quality of social care, pointing out the unfairness of elderly individuals having to sell their homes to fund their care. He questions the government's failure to deliver on promises of new hospitals and criticizes the deteriorating state of school infrastructure.
Leaning advocates for better investment in agriculture to boost domestic food production and reduce reliance on expensive imports. He also stresses the importance of upgrading digital infrastructure, such as fiber optic broadband, to keep pace with technological advancements.
Leaning raises issues related to environmental protection, questioning why sewage is being dumped into rivers and seas, and why roadside litter is not adequately managed. He also addresses the inadequate support for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and disabled, and the need for a more practical education syllabus that teaches essential life skills like cooking, driving, and home economics.
Additionally, he calls for a welfare system overhaul, suggesting the implementation of a 'Universal Basic Income' to simplify and improve social security.
The rising cost of living is a significant concern for Leaning. He questions the reasons behind skyrocketing energy bills, the increasing reliance on food banks, and the difficulty young people face in affording university education.
Leaning is also critical of the high social housing waiting list and the punitive capital gains tax, which he believes unfairly penalizes hard-working individuals. He highlights the importance of a strong social safety net and advocates for policies that make essential services and opportunities more accessible to all citizens.
Leaning believes that a balanced and sensible immigration policy is crucial for the UK's economic health. He proposes a "1-in 1-out" approach to manage population growth and reduce pressure on public services, housing, and infrastructure.
Leaning emphasizes the need for a skilled, productive workforce and believes that economic recovery requires strategic and timely actions. He advocates for better support for veterans, addressing homelessness and ensuring that those who have served the country are adequately cared for.
Leaning calls for a return to national pride, discipline, and respect among young people. He questions the decline of family values and the lack of support for free childcare.
Leaning also addresses the issue of online protection for children and families, emphasizing the need for better regulations to safeguard against online harms. He believes in fostering community spirit through shared sports, hobbies, clubs, and societies, and he stresses the importance of proper Brexit implementation to restore national sovereignty.
Leaning is passionate about environmental issues, questioning the frequent flooding in Britain and the poor state of the nation's roads. He calls for a comprehensive road resurfacing program and better maintenance of transport links between villages and towns.
Leaning also emphasizes the need for sustainable agriculture practices and proper valuation of farmers' contributions to society.
Leaning proposes several economic policies to stimulate growth and improve public services. These include reducing corporation tax, scrapping business rates for new businesses, raising the personal tax-free allowance, and simplifying the PAYE tax bands.
He advocates for local fiscal responsibility inquiries and capping council tax to make it more affordable. Leaning also supports reinstating the energy price cap and introducing food stamps to help families cope with the cost of living.
Leaning believes in personal freedom, including the right to consume alcohol and smoke recreationally. He calls for legislative changes to support these freedoms while maintaining a balanced approach to public health and safety.
Leaning encourages citizens to actively participate in the democratic process, emphasizing the importance of voting for change in the upcoming general election.
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.