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’s uncertain whether Reform or the Conservatives will pose the bigger challenge to Labour in the upcoming general election, but it’s crucial for us to consider this threat carefully.”
“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.
“I don’t have a preference in this competition, but like the scenario in Alien Vs Predator, you wouldn’t ideally want either side to win, yet one will undoubtedly take the lead as Labour’s main rival in the next 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.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey commented: “I believe that both Labour and the Conservatives have erred in their approach to Reform. The Conservatives seem to be adopting Reform’s policies, and Labour is increasingly echoing Reform’s rhetoric,” he told Phillips.
“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.”
