Latest news with #Tory-Reform
New Statesman
05-08-2025
- Business
- New Statesman
Would the real Liz Truss please stand up?
Photo byEveryone's favourite short-lived Prime Minister has become a Westminster byword for political failure. There's nothing Keir Starmer likes more at PMQs than invoking the spectre of Truss – regardless of whether it bears any relevance to the question asked. The PM has even branched out, attempting to smear Nigel Farage with the Truss brush, whether by focusing on Tory-Reform defections or pointing out the similarities between the party's fantasy economics and the mini-Budget that 'crashed the economy'. Kemi Badenoch's tactic so far has been to ignore this line of attack. While the Tory leader has been forthright in her criticism of decisions taken by her predecessors, she has proved reluctant to wade in on the mini-Budget and its aftermath, seeming far happier to lament Theresa May's net zero policy or Boris Johnson's failure to control immigration to have a go at Truss. Maybe she was hoping to avoid drawing attention once again to a period of Conservative governance which still has the potential to enrage voters who remember their mortgage payments spiking and the sense of chaos. Or maybe she just didn't want to start a civil war in the Tory party. Until now. Over the weekend, Badenoch changed tack and attempted to use her former boss (it was Truss who first appointed Badenoch to the cabinet, making her Trade Secretary) in the same way Starmer has been doing: to discredit her adversaries. 'For all their mocking of Liz Truss,' she wrote in an op-ed in the Telegraph, 'Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have not learnt the lessons of the mini-Budget and are making even bigger mistakes.' This Labour Prime Minister and Chancellor were just like Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng, Badenoch warned, 'spending billions without also making the necessary savings to offset their splurge and balance the books'. They were risking a 'debt spiral', with the UK economy 'teetering on the brink' just as it had when the bond markets descended in the carnage in autumn 2022. We'll come on to why this intervention from Badenoch is significant in a moment – but first, the blue-on-blue action. For if Starmer thinks Farage is the new Truss, and Badenoch thinks it is Rachel Reeves, what does the actual Truss have to say for herself? According to the former PM, it is Badenoch who has not learnt the lessons of the mini-Budget – which was, apparently, 'the right approach at the right time that would have resulted in higher growth, lower debt and cheaper energy'. The reason it all went so horribly wrong? The Conservative Party, which refused to go along with the planned 'Javier Milei agenda' to cut spending and therefore, with the help of the Bank of England, sabotaged the whole endeavour. Truss ends her apologia by reminding Westminster watchers that Badenoch has promised to tell the British people 'the truth even when it is difficult to hear': 'If she's not willing to tell the truth to her own supporters, the Conservative Party is in serious trouble.' It goes without saying that this sort of infighting is deeply unhelpful to a party trying to rebuild itself in opposition. It goes without saying too that Truss was always going to respond this way, accusing Badenoch of 'repeating spurious narratives' and defending her record by launching grenades at the party she briefly ran. It's what she's been doing since being forced out as Prime Minister, with her book and her Maga speaking tour, turbocharged since she lost her seat last July. As one former aide pointed out, it's not like she has anything to lose. Her determination to refight the battles of 2022 regardless of the damage it might do to her successor is one reason many Tories believe Badenoch should demonstrate her insistence that the party is under new leadership by kicking Truss out. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe More interesting is Badenoch's decision, nine months into her leadership, to publicly break with Truss. The move comes with risk, and not just the inevitable backlash reminding voters of the Tory psychodrama they so despised. It also reflects on Badenoch herself, who at the time of the mini-Budget tweeted that Truss and Kwarteng were '100 per cent right' and was happy to serve in the cabinet. Lots of Tories took a different stance, not least Mel Stride. The now shadow chancellor was one of the fiercest critics of Truss and Kwarteng in 2022 when he chaired the Treasury Select Committee, highlighting their failure to engage with the Bank of England or the OBR when developing the mini-Budget. Badenoch did nothing of the sort. For someone who likes pointing out when other people have failed to take responsibility for their mistakes, this is rather awkward. The calculation in play may hinge on the number of former Tories who have deserted the party for Reform over the past year. While there is little data on this, both Reform and Conservative strategists believe – with good reason – that it is disillusioned Tories from the right of the party who have found Farage most appealing (which is why James Cleverly might have more of a shot at the leadership than one might expect). In other words, Badenoch can afford to denounce Truss in a way she couldn't before now that the Truss fans have already quit the party. Or it could simply be desperation. The Conservatives have essentially vanished this summer – it is Farage who has sucked up that airtime, with his 'Lawless Britain' campaign. The party is languishing on 18 per cent in the polls. Badenoch herself is under fire, and any time she tries to attack the government the inevitable riposte is 'but the mini-Budget'. You can see why giving Starmer and Reeves a taste of their own medicine is tempting, even if it's unlikely to work (focus groups suggest that, while voters are still furious about Truss, they associate her firmly with the Tories, hence why Labour's Truss lines against Reform have failed to land). Will this change of direction help detoxify the Tories? It might – if voters were paying attention. As it is, all this shift does is reiterate to the country that the Conservative broad church is not a happy party. This piece first appeared in the Morning Call newsletter; receive it every morning by subscribing on Substack here [See also: Palestine Action and the distortion of terrorism] Related
The Independent
30-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
‘The UK needs a new voting system first': Readers react to Corbyn's new left-wing party
Public reaction to Jeremy Corbyn's new left-wing party has been mixed, with many Independent readers more concerned about the UK's electoral system than the party itself. While some welcomed the alternative to what they see as a 'Tory-lite' Labour government, most agreed that the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system makes it almost impossible for smaller parties to succeed – and risks splitting the left vote. 'Until the electoral system is changed to proportional representation (PR), the dog's breakfast that is British politics will continue,' wrote one commenter. Others feared the move could hand power to a Tory-Reform coalition, with one reader warning: 'If you think Johnson and Truss were bad, wait until you see what Farage and Jenrick manage to destroy.' Although Corbyn remains popular among younger voters, many readers questioned the strategy behind launching a new party now. 'This is a disaster waiting to happen,' one said. 'The left is already fragmented and needs unity, not further splits.' Some saw the move as a protest rather than a serious political project, while others argued it could force Labour to shift left or adopt PR. Here's what you had to say: No real left in the UK I certainly don't like the Conservatives, and I dislike Reform UK even more. The problem with the current Labour government is that they are Tory lite. I cannot see Corbyn ever being PM. Starmer is sadly too authoritarian – hence the jailing of peaceful protesters. Personally speaking, I would like to see a combination of the Lib Dems and Greens in power, but there is almost zero chance of that happening. The Lib Dems are much more to the left than Labour. Christopher1959 Do you think the UK's voting system needs to change? Let us know in the below. Until the system changes, expect a mess Although it is excellent to have more choices for the electorate to choose from, unfortunately, because of the first past the post electoral system (FPTP), this only "waters down" the anti-Tory/Reform vote, because those right-wing parties and their "supporters" will stick together. Don't forget the Lib Dems, who command a fair old share of the electorate – but not enough for a majority. That could result in permanent right-wing governance! Until the electoral system is changed to proportional representation (PR), the dog's breakfast that is Brit politics will continue, with either "one or t'other", or, as I said, because of the watering down of the centre and left-wing vote, a permanent Tory/Reform bunch in power! Blue3Lee It's a step, but PR must come first A step in the right direction – offering a wider choice to the electorate, many of whom feel they have a Hobson's choice at the moment. But it won't work as an alternative under FPTP. To succeed, a genuine form of PR would have to come first – freeing voters to vote for their real preference rather than simply to prevent an alternative. Corbyn won't be around for too much longer and would, I think, willingly step back once a more genuine left-of-centre Labour-type alternative is available. Strangely Enough Finally, some choice outside the centre I think the public now having a slightly right-wing party in Reform and a slightly left-wing party with Corbyn to vote for is a positive thing, given the centrist WEF Lab/Con Blairites we've had since 1997. GaryGlass New parties need deep pockets to survive I have two principal thoughts on this: First, this isn't the first time that a "splinter" party has been formed in the UK. Regrettably, almost none have survived contact with FPTP for long, other than the Green Party and niche outfits like George Galloway's "Respect" party. Second, to have any chance of electoral survival, let alone making a difference, this putative political party must have serious (pots of money) backing. If this party subsequently shows sufficient support, I suspect that the chances of any form of proportional electoral system being brought in will recede even further, because of the increasing electoral threat to the current government. Nobrandloyalty Corbyn's party won't win, but could push Labour Whilst this new party will definitely not win the election and will probably get few MPs, the threat of a split in the left vote – letting in Reform on an even lower percentage than Labour got last year – will hopefully motivate Labour to change some policies. Possibly even encourage them to manifesto-promise PR/electoral reform to tempt people back into tactical voting for them in 2029 – so they can have better chances for the JC party in 2034. Someone182 A split left could hand power to Farage I remember how the SDP were going to "change politics in the UK forever". They did – the Tories lurched even further to the right and kept winning elections. I do not like Starmer, however, splitting the Labour vote is going to give us a Tory/Reform coalition. If you think Johnson and Truss were bad, wait until you see what Jenrick/Farage manage to destroy. Moonraker2025 New parties are pointless without PR The UK needs a new voting system before it needs more parties. These small new party initiatives don't work out within the current system. Corbyn's lifelong main political goal is to run a protest movement – and that's what this will be. – ItReallyIsNot FPTP stops Corbyn from being a threat If it wasn't for our FPTP electoral system, Corbyn would be a serious threat, I believe. Polheg Reform will benefit most from Corbyn's move Corbyn's new party will take votes from Labour but is unlikely to win more than a handful of seats. The prime beneficiaries will be Reform. It was a serious mistake for Labour to expel Corbyn, since it was always obvious that he commanded a lot of support from the left and would be in a position to retaliate. Musil A fragmented left is a disaster in waiting Corbyn to the rescue – just when we need some kind of ruthless pragmatic unity in the face of 'Euphemism' – and in waltzes Corbyn and a further split of 5 to 10 per cent at most. It seems that more than ever, a further counterproductive split among an already fragmented centre/left, in the face of a determined, well-organised, highly coordinated and highly effective far right, is an absolute disaster waiting to happen. I genuinely cannot see a way out of this. Jim987 Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the day's top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click 'log in' or 'register' in the top right corner to sign in or sign up.
New Statesman
14-05-2025
- Politics
- New Statesman
The long arm of Reform
Photo by Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg City slicker Nigel Farage making the political weather after tribute act Keir Starmer's 'island of strangers' speech means it's beginning to feel in Westminster as if Reform packs not five but 50 or even 500 MPs, groaned a despairing Labour newbie. The hard-right grouplet is behaving like that too. Mel Stride was put up by the Conservatives to denounce as 'economically illiterate' a Reform financial wish list. The shadow chancellor is known as 'Minor Party Mel' in Reform HQ. Rupert Lowe? The expelled Reform MP who created damaging headlines before the Runcorn by-election and council victories is 'Whopert' Lowe because they claim nobody remembers him. Farage is putting out feelers to create a Reform brains trust, I hear. All jokes on a postcard, please. The buoyed leader recognises, whispered an insider, that the party requires intellectual heft and a broader base. Bandwagon jumpers from Labour and the Lib Dems are top of his dream list. One target name circulating is that of Jeremy Browne, ex-Lib MP and foreign minister in the ConDem coalition. The one-time president of the Les Dawson Appreciation Society is currently head of Canning House, a Latin America talk shop. Stranger things, etc. Morgan McSweeney is unnerving Reform by putting Labour tanks on their broadcasting lawn. Starmer's chief of staff requested a meeting with GB News chief Angelos Frangopoulos to discuss ground rules for more government ministers appearing on the right-wing channel. Home Secretary Yvette Copper popped up for the first time after the migration fatwa. Peter Mandelson purred he liked GB News because it amplified Tory-Reform splits. Labour boycotts are a thing of the past. Starmer's desperate to chat directly to Farage voters. Attorney-General Richard Hermer returned to his roots fighting cases for trade union solicitors Thompsons. Delivering the firm's annual lecture, Hermer cited opposition to the Workmen's Compensation Act 1897 as evidence that critics of better employment laws are invariably wrong. Introducing employer liability for workplace injuries was condemned, he said, by an MP who predicted employees would deliberately mutilate themselves to win awards. Hermer's powerful justification of this Labour government's reforms was a victim of unpopular decisions such as the winter fuel farrago overshadowing the good ones like job rights. Durham pit village lad turned Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds sat with the Sunderland hordes at Coventry for a football Championship play-off. What was that about Starmer and Rachel Reeves needing to be in executive boxes for security? Kevin Maguire is the associate editor (politics) of the Daily Mirror [See also: How Scotland learned to love Nigel Farage] Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Related
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reform's newest MP hails tight by-election win
Reform UK's victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election has been hailed by the party's newest MP. Former Conservative councillor Sarah Pochin dramatically edged out Labour's Karen Shore in the Cheshire constituency by just six votes following a recount. In her victory speech, Pochin said Reform had "made history" while the Tories said it was a "damning verdict" on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's leadership. Labour said by-elections were "always difficult" for the party in government and that the circumstances which led to this by-election - namely the resignation of Mike Amesbury following his conviction for assault - had "made it even harder". LIVE: Reform wins Runcorn by-election by just six votes, while Labour wins three mayoral races Sir John Curtice: Reform challenging traditional party dominance POSTCODE LOOKUP: Who won the local election in my area? Amesbury, who won the newly created seat at the July 2024 general election with a 14,696 majority, was caught in widely shared CCTV footage punching a constituent in a drunken row. He subsequently stepped down after admitting assault. At the by-election count in Widnes, Pochin said: "It would be an honour and a privilege to serve this community, a community of hard-working people who just want fairness. "Going forward, I will do my best for all you in Runcorn and Helsby... regardless of how you voted, and I will be accessible to you all." Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: "It's the closest by-election since the war and I think one of the most dramatic. But I sense, also, one of the most significant." A Labour spokesperson said: "Voters are still rightly furious with the state of the country after 14 years of failure and clearly expect the government to move faster with the Plan for Change. "While Labour has suffered an extremely narrow defeat, the shock is that the Conservative vote has collapsed." The spokesperson claimed moderate voters were "clearly appalled by the talk of a Tory-Reform pact". Farage, MP for Clacton in Essex, said the result showed Reform were "not a protest party". "Thirty years ago, Parliament was full of people like [Sarah Pochin] that had successful careers, as she's had in business, in politics, in judiciary and now there are very few of them," he said. "We're putting candidates up, getting people elected with real life experience and that's what voters want." The Conservatives, whose candidate Sean Houlston came a distant third, called the by-election result a "damning verdict" on Sir Keir Starmer's leadership. A Tory spokesperson said: "Just 10 months ago Labour won an enormous majority, including in this seat with 52% of the vote, but their policies have been a punch in the face for the people of Runcorn. "Snatching Winter Fuel Payments from vulnerable pensioners, pushing farmers to the brink with their vindictive Family Farms Tax and hammering families with a £3,500 jobs tax, families are being punished for their disastrous decisions in government." There was a turnout of 46% in the by-election, compared with 59% at last year's general election. Analysis from the by-election count in Widnes By Kaleigh Watterson, Cheshire political reporter, BBC News A big win for Reform after a dramatic evening which included a full recount and a "will he/won't he?" debate about whether Nigel Farage would attend. During the campaign, it was billed as a two-horse race between Labour and Reform, and watching the counted votes pile up in each candidate's tray it was obvious it was going to be close. I don't think anyone could have predicted just how close it would be though. After her win, Sarah Pochin told me it was a "seismic win" for Reform and said her priority would be to listen to those in the constituency. The new MP said she wanted to get a business plan together to "make real change". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Reform snatches Runcorn from Labour by just six votes Runcorn and Helsby by-election - all you need to know UK Parliament
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Runcorn and Helsby by-election: Reform's newest MP hails victory
Reform UK's victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election has been hailed by the party's newest Conservative councillor Sarah Pochin dramatically edged out Labour's Karen Shore in the Cheshire constituency by just six votes following a her victory speech, Pochin said Reform had "made history" while the Tories said it was a "damning verdict" on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's said by-elections were "always difficult" for the party in government and that the circumstances which led to this by-election - namely the resignation of Mike Amesbury following his conviction for assault - had "made it even harder". LIVE: Reform wins Runcorn by-election by just six votes, while Labour wins three mayoral races Amesbury, who won the newly created seat at the July 2024 general election with a 14,696 majority, was caught in widely shared CCTV footage punching a constituent in a drunken subsequently stepped down after admitting assault. At the by-election count in Widnes, Pochin said: "It would be an honour and a privilege to serve this community, a community of hard-working people who just want fairness. "Going forward, I will do my best for all you in Runcorn and Helsby... regardless of how you voted, and I will be accessible to you all."Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: "It's the closest by-election since the war and I think one of the most dramatic. But I sense, also, one of the most significant." A Labour spokesperson said: "Voters are still rightly furious with the state of the country after 14 years of failure and clearly expect the government to move faster with the Plan for Change."While Labour has suffered an extremely narrow defeat, the shock is that the Conservative vote has collapsed."The spokesperson claimed moderate voters were "clearly appalled by the talk of a Tory-Reform pact". Farage, MP for Clacton in Essex, said the result showed Reform were "not a protest party". "Thirty years ago, Parliament was full of people like [Sarah Pochin] that had successful careers, as she's had in business, in politics, in judiciary and now there are very few of them," he said. "We're putting candidates up, getting people elected with real life experience and that's what voters want."The Conservatives, whose candidate Sean Houlston came a distant third, called the by-election result a "damning verdict" on Sir Keir Starmer's leadership.A Tory spokesperson said: "Just 10 months ago Labour won an enormous majority, including in this seat with 52% of the vote, but their policies have been a punch in the face for the people of Runcorn."Snatching Winter Fuel Payments from vulnerable pensioners, pushing farmers to the brink with their vindictive Family Farms Tax and hammering families with a £3,500 jobs tax, families are being punished for their disastrous decisions in government."There was a turnout of 46% in the by-election, compared with 59% at last year's general election. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
