Defeating Reform requires making a difference

JVL Introduction

A new survey has been conducted by Hope Not Hate that shows perhaps surprising potential for mobilising an anti Reform vote.  Key will be mobilising women who are often appalled at the reactionary policies Reform would like to implement such as further limitations on abortion and not being committed to equal pay. But there is a conservative part of British society – or rather English society – that is also opposed.

We know that blaming the immigrants for everything can only go so far but Burnham and his Cabinet need to do more as a government and political parties need to do more to reach out to people explaining what they are FOR as well as what is wrong with Reform.

The writer’s analysis here is useful but the part that the Prime Minister really needs to take account of is his conclusion: “…if Labour’s strategy is essentially to do what Starmer did, but with better comms and more social-media dopamine, it will get the same result as he did: a disaster, not just for Labour, but for the rest of us.”  I would add that Labour would need to focus on what they will do to make the difference that people who are struggling actually need and stop attacking the Greens and kow-towing to Reform’s agenda.

This article was originally published by The Guardian on Thu 27 Aug 2026. Read the original here.