Labour has been slammed for using ‘underhand scare tactics’ in a desperate attempt to hold off the rise of Reform UK ahead of the local elections in May.
Leaflets reading ‘PAYMENT OVERDUE – Your NHS bill under Reform’ have been stuffed through letterboxes in key battleground areas, sparking fury.
The leaflets ask, ‘Could you afford to get sick under Reform UK?’ before listing bills like GP appointment £129, MRI scan £457, ambulance £1,045, A&E visit £1,368 and coronary bypass surgery £74,996.
This is despite Nigel Farage repeatedly stressing healthcare will remain free at the point of delivery under Reform, however.
Labour's campaign leaflet attacking Reform
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Karen Smith, resident of West Sussex, said: “I’m outraged this leaflet is being posted through letterboxes in the run up to the local elections in May.
“The leaflet seems to be a complete smear on Reform UK. There are other leaflets and newspaper wraparounds doing exactly the same thing.
“It would not deter me from voting for Reform UK, if only I had the chance as my vote has been undemocratically cancelled!”
West Sussex local elections were cancelled along with eight other authorities ahead of a shakeup of local government.
Rayner's election postponement comes ahead of her rollout of six new 'devolution areas' throughout EnglandPARLIAMENTLIVE.TVThe attack leaflet is being sold by Labour’s online shop for £17.50 for 500 leaflets. The description reads ‘Campaign leaflet about Reform's plan to make you pay when you're sick and how Labour will fix our NHS, not abandon it.’
It sold out last week but is now back in stock. The leaflet is also available in Welsh and English though the price rises to £40.
Reform UK Chief Whip Lee Anderson MP said: “Our position has been crystal clear from the start: under a Reform government, we will never charge anyone to use the NHS. It will always be free.
“Once again we see desperate smears by a desperate and failing Labour government trying to deflect from their own failures. The British people deserve better than these lies.”
Reform UK has clashed acrimoniously with Labour on the May elections already. The party attacked Deputy PM Angela Rayner for allowing authorities to cancel elections.
Labour says there is little point in holding costly elections for authorities due to be abolished, but critics like Nigel Farage say it is a denial of democracy and have accused Labour and the Tories of running scared of Reform UK.
Of the areas that have received permission from Angela Rayner to cancel elections, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Surrey, West Susses and Hampshire are Conservative, East Sussex and the Isle of Wight are under no overall control while Thurrock is Labour run.
Labour's leaflet attacking Reform
Labour shop website
Council election delays
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It comes after Reform UK delivered a warning shot to Labour by winning the Longdendale (Tameside) by-election today (April 11).
The disruptor party scooped almost 50 per cent of the vote in the ward, a traditionally safe Labour area in Greater Manchester that falls within Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds’ Stalybridge and Hyde constituency.
The Cabinet Minister leant his weight to Labour’s campaign, but it was not enough to hold off the Reform surge.
Reform’s Allan Hopwood scooped 46.6 per cent of the vote, beating Labour’s Francesca Coates into second (25 per cent) and Kieron Wild of the Conservatives (12.4 per cent).
Labour also suffered a loss in the St Anns ward of Haringey, this time to the Greens who scooped 55.4 per cent (+14.1) of the vote, easily ahead of Labour’s 30.8 per cent (-21.5).
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It means Starmer’s party has suffered a net loss of 41 seats since July, with the Tories up 24 seats.
Reform UK has won 14 seats (up 14), the Liberal Democrats have won 46 (no change) while the Greens and SNP have won 11 (+3) and 10 (+2) respectively.
A spokesperson for the Electoral Commission said: “The Commission’s remit does not extend to the content of campaign material, its veracity or accuracy. The content and style of campaign material is not subject to regulation by any UK body.
“When it comes to campaigning, we are responsible for ensuring that campaign material by parties and campaigners includes information to identify the person or organisation which has caused it to be published.
“This is known as an imprint. By looking at the photo attached, it seems this leaflet has a complete imprint.
“We encourage all campaigners to undertake their vital role responsibly and transparently.”
Labour has been approached for comment.
