Squeamish Labour MPs have received a warning about the rise of Reform UK as Nigel Farage’s fury on immigration cuts through with Red Wall voters.
Labour made a number of gains across Brexit-backing seats previously snatched by Boris Johnson on July 4, with Reform UK emerging as Sir Keir Starmer’s main opposition in dozens of seats.
Despite only winning power a few months ago, Labour MPs already fear voters turning to Farage in 2029.
During a series of regional briefings to Labour MPs on Wednesday, No10 chief Morgan McSweeney told newbie politicians to stop ignoring small boats and legal migration.
Nigel Farage with an inset of Keir Starmer
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McSweeney, who emerged victorious in his power struggle with Sue Gray, also warned Labour MPs that they otherwise risk being booted out of the House of Commons in 2029.
MPs in the room were told that they cannot hide from the “tough questions” voters care about, especially around immigration.
Following months of chaos, The Sun has revealed that McSweeney urged MPs to remain laser-focused on the next general election.
Several new Labour MPs expressed their own fears about Farage’s fury dominating the debate around immigration.
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Sir Keir Starmer is vowing to curb Channel crossings
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Responding to the briefing, Farage said: “Labour are right to be worried about Reform.
“We came second to Labour in 89 seats at the general election, and will be targeting their record at the 2025 local elections and beyond.
“Make no mistake, Reform is coming for Keir Starmer’s Labour.”
A well-connected Whitehall source also praised McSweeney for his understanding of the major issues impacting voters across Brexit-backing Britain.
Sir Keir Starmer sided with Morgan McSweeney in his No10 feud with Sue Gray
PA
“He gets it,” they told GB News. “He’s almost a Red Waller at heart.”
Labour’s latest Reform UK briefing came as the People’s Channel yesterday revealed how efforts to ban smoking outside pubs could damage Starmer’s standing in the Red Wall.
Reform UK positioned itself as the main opposition to Labour in a number of seats where smokers make up a large proportion of the population.
Research of UK parliamentary constituencies named Hull, Barnsley and Mansfield as the areas of Britain with the highest smoking levels.
Ashford, Barking, Burnley, Great Grimsby, Folkestone & Hythe, Sittingbourne & Sheppey and Slough also made up the top 10.
Nigel Farage is a major opponent off Labour’s smoking ban
PA
Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice also revealed how the populist party hopes to make inroads into Labour’s Brexit-backing heartlands.
Speaking to GB News, the Boston & Skegness MP said: “It’s very simple. Our policies are common sense.”
However, Reform UK appears to have fixated most of today’s efforts on taking on the Tories.
A letter penned by Farage was sent to more than 1,300 Conservative councillors urging them to join the populist party’s ranks or risk wipeout in next year’s local elections.
