Robert Reaney is a businessman from Chesterfield. He is married and has one grown-up son.
Born and raised in Sheffield, Reaney is proud of his working-class roots. His background instilled in him an appreciation for hard work and the value of earning an honest living.
Everything he and his wife have achieved has been through their own efforts.
Reaney's early career, spanning from 1987 to 2004, was in the finance sector. He worked for the Prudential Assurance Company, The Midland Bank/HSBC, and two large accountancy firms in Sheffield, dealing with business clients.
This experience provided him with a solid understanding of insurance, savings, investments, banking, accountancy, taxation, and business operations. He believes this experience is valuable for an aspiring politician, offering practical insights into how money and businesses function.
Since 2004, Reaney has been running his own vintage motorcycle business, which started as a hobby. This venture has been both enjoyable and educational, introducing him to remarkable people and deepening his knowledge of automotive history.
Running his own business has taught him the realities of self-employment, including the lack of benefits such as sick pay, holiday pay, and pension plans. He has experienced the financial ups and downs firsthand, which he believes many employees may not fully appreciate.
Reaney has encountered numerous challenges as a small business owner, including dealing with red tape, completing VAT returns, and managing health and safety regulations. He has faced the harsh realities of local government interference and the struggle to make a profit amidst these obstacles.
These experiences have given him a unique perspective on the difficulties faced by small businesses.
Throughout his career, Reaney has witnessed significant financial events, including the 1987 stock market crash, the Millennium bug scam, the bursting of the tech stock bubble, the 2008 banking crisis, and the subsequent recession and austerity years. He has also lived through the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and the recent cost-of-living crisis.
These events have shaped his understanding of the economic challenges faced by individuals and businesses.
Reaney is frustrated with the state of politics in the UK, particularly the perceived ineffectiveness and point-scoring behavior in Westminster. He is disillusioned with the focus on London's problems and the neglect of other industries such as fishing, farming, mining, steel, shipbuilding, and the automotive industry.
He believes that the country has become overly reliant on the service economy at the expense of other sectors.
Reaney advocates for focusing on local issues and building jobs and a brighter future for the Bolsover constituency. He believes Reform UK's policies address many of these issues with common sense solutions.
He is committed to listening to the problems of his constituents and using his experience to address them. Reaney emphasizes the need for a local representative who understands and shares the struggles of the community.
Reaney invites the residents of Bolsover to support him in the upcoming election. He offers a fresh perspective and a commitment to addressing local issues.
He believes that with the right representation, the community can achieve a brighter future and overcome the challenges it currently faces.
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.