A real force!’ Reform UK putting ‘real pressure’ on Labour after ‘fascinating’ speech from Starmer

At the Scottish Labour Conference in Glasgow, Labour leader Keir Starmer launched a strong attack on Reform UK, accusing the party of misleading voters and failing to stand up for workers’ rights and the NHS. Starmer’s comments come as Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, is gaining traction in British politics, particularly in Wales and Scotland.

Starmer criticized Reform UK for claiming to support workers while voting against measures like banning “fire and rehire” practices, where companies dismiss employees and rehire them on worse terms. He also accused the party of “fawning over Putin” while pretending to be patriotic. “They talk the language of worker rights online and on the doorstep, but their actions tell a different story,” Starmer told delegates at the conference.

Former Conservative adviser Lauren McEvatt, speaking to GB News, described Reform UK as a “very real force” in British politics. She highlighted the party’s growing influence in Wales and Scotland, where elections are set to take place in 2026. McEvatt suggested that Reform UK could even top the polls in Wales, challenging Labour’s long-standing dominance in the region.

McEvatt explained that Reform UK’s rise is putting significant pressure on Labour, especially as many voters turned to Labour in the last election due to dissatisfaction with the Conservative Party’s handling of issues like immigration. “Reform is putting real, real pressure on Labour,” she said, adding that Starmer needs to address the concerns Reform is raising to secure votes in Wales and Scotland.

Starmer used his speech to warn about the rise of “dangerous right-wing politics” that claims to represent working people but fails to deliver on their promises. He promised to challenge Reform UK’s “bluster” and highlight their shortcomings. “We will be ready for the test Reform UK presents,” Starmer said.

However, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, strongly rejected Starmer’s accusations. Farage denied claims that his party would undermine the NHS, stating, “Under Reform UK, the NHS will always be free at the point of use.” He also criticized Starmer’s policies on Scottish jobs, particularly those linked to the North Sea oil and gas industry. “Scotland has lost more than 70,000 jobs due to government net zero policies over the past decade,” Farage said. “How dare Starmer talk to us about jobs?”

McEvatt pointed out that Reform UK’s focus on issues like immigration and North Sea jobs gives them a foothold in Scotland, especially as Labour’s Ed Miliband, who oversees energy policy, supports net zero targets that could impact jobs in the oil and gas sector. “As long as Ed Miliband sits in Keir Starmer’s cabinet, Reform is going to have a foothold in Scotland,” she said.

Starmer’s strong criticism of Reform UK reflects the growing challenge the party poses to Labour, particularly in regions like Wales and Scotland where Labour has traditionally been dominant. With elections on the horizon, both parties are gearing up for a fierce battle for votes.