Carolyn Grant is running as a Reform UK candidate for the Berwickshire, Roxburgh, and Selkirk constituency. She emphasizes that Net Zero policies and excessive regulations have adversely affected the farming industry.
Reform UK advocates for farmers managing farms under 500 hectares to have the autonomy to manage their land as they see fit. The party also aims to encourage more young people to enter the farming industry.
Grant highlights the critical shortage of affordable housing for residents of the Borders. She notes that local housing associations are under significant pressure from individuals seeking homes.
To address this, Grant proposes initiatives to help young people stay in their rural communities by encouraging them to learn trades, which would aid in building and restoring homes. This, in turn, would help secure their future and the future of the Borders.
Reform UK's policies for small businesses in Scotland aim to foster new entrepreneurship, which would help revitalize Border businesses and create more jobs.
The National Health Service (NHS) is the largest employer in the Borders, yet there is a severe shortage of medical staff. To mitigate this, Reform UK plans to incentivize people to return to NHS frontline medicine by offering zero basic rate tax for three years and forgiving student loans after ten years of NHS service, or proportionally based on the length of service.
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.