Oliver Dowden: Russian Interference!

We all remember the alleged interference in the American Presidential elections alleged by Trump's enemies. That may have helped Trump to come to power. How could Russia interfere in an election and achieve its aims? Use social media, Russian agents residing in that foreign country to big up the party or candidate they back, Russian use of bots or AI, etc.

Trump was close to Putin. One remembers the warm chemistry between him. That was before the Russian invasion of Ukraine and before Putin was wanted as a war criminal. If Trump returns to the White House barring a Biden victory how will Trump deal with Putin? Come to that, how will Trump deal with Netanyahu if wanted Israeli Prime Minister clings to power? The world has changed much since Trump was last in the White House. How will he deal with a world that has moved on since his tenure in the White House?

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said he is "Gravely concerned" that the Russians are interfering in the UK general election. Dowden was speaking to Sky's Trevor Philips. Philips asked Dowden about Russian interference. Mr. Dowden said several Facebook pages are espousing Kremlin propaganda. Some backed Nigel Farage and Reform UK. In other words, according to Dowden, Moscow is spreading support for Reform via Facebook and other sources. Mr. Dowden said, "It's a classic example from the Russian playbook".

ABC or the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has been monitoring Facebook pages putting out Russian propaganda. Prophet-like (false prophet) Mr. Dowden said, "There is a threat in all elections, and indeed, we see it in this election, from hostile state actors (in this instance Russia) seeking to influence the outcome of the election campaign".

There are several ways of looking at this:

1) Russia is genuinely interfering in the UK election throwing support behind their preferred party Reform UK. Nigel Farage when talking to BBC's Nick Robinson seemed to back Putin in his invasion of Ukraine as NATO expanded ever eastwards.

2) The political establishment has suddenly woken up to the idea that many people like it or not, are backing Farage. So, they are cooking up stories or events to bring him and Reform down. Russia backing Reform may be just such an allegation to show Farage as an enemy of the British state. And this allegation is made whether Russia is trying to influence the UK election or not.

All the alleged or real allegations against Farage are made by a desperate Conservative government. So desperate they will use any ammunition coming their way so they cling to power. Or if they are defeated, to make sure their message gets out to some of the electorate, so that their defeat isn't so great. It is standard, in general elections for the parties to throw dirt at each other (metaphorically speaking). The Conservatives must know that their chance of staying in power is extremely slim. While others even those campaigning for Wishy-Washy-Rishi-Sunak to stay in power, must know that the game for the Tories is up.

The Tories will make alleged or real allegations against Labour, Lib-Dems, Greens, and SNP, but more so against Farage and Reform. Farage is attracting many people who in past elections would have voted Tory. So on the right, there is a battle for the soul of what right-wing means. They know that in Sunak they have a leader who many people Tory or not despise. They know he cannot compete with Farage regarding personality or relatability. Voters see Farage as a man like them, who goes down the pub and enjoys a pint. Sunak on the other hand, is none of these things and that will be his downfall.

the outcome of the election campaign