Labour's attacks on Reform UK have failed to stifle the threat from Nigel Farage as Sir Keir Starmer prepares for a major Red Wall test on May 1, a new report has revealed.
Research produced by Sophie Stowers from UK in a Changing Europe was re-published today after Reform UK fired the starting gun on a number of local election contests by holding rallies across Brexit-backing patches of northern England.
Labour has so far limited its attacks against Farage to concentrate on Ukraine and the Employment Rights Bill.
Sir Keir Starmer swiped at the Reform UK leader in his recent appearance at Prime Minister's Questions, accusing the Clacton MP of "fawning" for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
'Pure desperation!' Keir Starmer attacks on Nigel Farage fail to stifle Reform UK as Red Wall 'demolition' looms'Pure desperation!' Keir Starmer attacks on Nigel Farage fail to stifle Reform UK as Red Wall 'demolition' loomsIn a letter sent to Farage earlier this month, Red Wall Labour MPs also asked: "Will you be standing up for British workers or votingn against strengthening their rights?"
Despite the attacks, and Reform now looking to recover from the fall out of Rupert Lowe's suspension, Stowers handed Farage a major boost.
In her report, the research associate said: "Many of those who cast their ballot for Reform are united not just by their socially conservative views, but their apathy towards Westminster politics and scepticism of politicians’ abilities to make their lives better.
"Nine months after the election, these voters are already doubtful of the Labour Government’s capabilities - 2024 Reform voters are by far the most likely of any party to say they think Labour is out of ideas and has no competent politicians.
"And so, the Government and Red Wall MPs can bang on about the way Farage and co voted on the Employment Rights Bill all they like.
"But if the Government fails to deliver on its commitments to improve living standards, public services and cut net migration, why would the disaffected voters Reform is so good at attracting listen to them?
"The more Reform can encourage people to tick the ‘none of the above’ box, the less it matters what their actual policies are."
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PAResponding to the report, Lee Anderson told GB News: "It's pure desperation from Labour who are running scared of Reform UK who will demolish the Red Wall at the next election.
"They can attack us all they like but what can they attack us on? They can't blame us for anything. Roll on May 1."
Runcorn & Helsby, which is yet to confirm its by-election polling date after sucker-punch MP Mike Amesbury stepped down, will provide a major test for both Reform UK and Labour.
Labour won the Cheshire constituency with 52.9 per cent of the vote in the 2024 General Election, with Reform UK finishing in a distant second on 18.1 per cent.
However, opinion polls now suggest a neck-and-neck race between Reform's Sarah Pochin and Labour's Karen Shore.
Despite a series of local elections being cancelled, Reform will also go head-to-head with Labour in Doncaster.
Sarah Pochin will contest the Runcorn & Helsby by-election for Reform UKPOOLDuring his appearance in Doncaster, Farage issued a scathing put-down against "far-left" protesters who attempted to disrupt his rally.
After hailing the efforts of Battle of Britain hero John "Paddy" Hemingway, a protester emerged from the crowd to hurl abuse at the Reform UK leader.
Farage told them: "Go home... Haven't you got a job to go to?"
He then quipped: "I was going to say... Haven't you got a job to go to? But that looks pretty unlikely, doesn't it?"
Farage later launched into a scathing attack on the protesters, saying: "Go back to school please, we know what's going to happen. Boring, boring, boring."
He added: "They will do everything they can to stop this being a free and fair election. Have a look at that. The anger... You must be at university.
"That's what you get folks, when teaching unions in this country are poisoning the minds of young people, not just against Reform, but against everything this country has ever stood for.
"I'll make it clear, when we’re in a position of power, we will go to war with these left-wing teaching unions and make sure our kids are taught properly!"
