THE RISE of Reform UK is a “real threat” to Labour following their election haul last week, a Cabinet Minister says.
Nigel Farage’s party is now being treated as a “serious opposition force” after a historic set of wins, Wes Streeting insists.
Reform won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election and also won ten councils giving as Mr Farage set out a path to Number 10.
Speaking on Sky News, Mr Streeting said: “I think Reform is definitely a real threat and one that we take seriously.
“I think there’s clearly, on the right of British politics, a realignment taking place.
It is uncertain at this point whether Reform or the Conservatives will be the main opposition to Labour in the upcoming general election. However, it is crucial for Labour to acknowledge and address this potential threat seriously.
“In that spirit, I think Reform does deserve more air time and scrutiny of their policies.”
The Health Secretary was also pressed on whether he thinks Reform are now Labour’s “most serious opposition”.
He replied: “I certainly do treat them as a serious opposition force.
“I don’t know whether it will be Reform or the Conservatives that emerge as the main threat.
Comparing the situation to the movie Alien Vs Predator, the sentiment is similar – neither outcome is ideal, but one of these parties will inevitably emerge as the primary contender against Labour in the next general election.
But Conservative co-chairman Nigel Huddleston played down the threat from Reform UK.
He said: “When they’re in a position of delivering things, that’s when the shine comes off.”
Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, expressed his views on the matter. He believes that both Labour and the Conservatives have underestimated the impact of Reform. He highlighted how the Conservatives have been adopting Reform’s policies, and Labour’s rhetoric is aligning more closely with Reform’s ideology.
“I think the way you defeat Nigel Farage is by calling him out.”
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer faces calls from his own MPs to change tack after he pledged to go “further and faster” following the polls.
Labour MP Dan Carden said it is “now life or death” for the government and the party.
The boss of the Blue Labour group of MPs said: “We believe the party can still be saved – if it remembers who it was built for. We believe Keir Starmer could be a great prime minister.”
