Labour is set to be ‘washed away in a tide of discontent’ unless it tackles the downturn of the High Street, researchers have warned.
Shoplifting and shop closures have contributed to many people feeling that ‘parts of the country are being neglected and overlooked,’ according to a study by the University of Southampton.
It comes as there were fears of up to 2,460 job losses across discount retailer The Original Factory Shop, fashion brand LK Bennett and jewellery seller Claire’s Accessories.
Rachel Reeves has faced a huge backlash towards her business rates plans, which will see many retailers, restaurants and hotels pay higher tax bills from April.
Business owners have even barred Labour MPs from their premises in a move which persuaded the Government to backtrack slightly and offer pubs and music venues a discount on their bills.
But now there is a suggestion that gloom on the High Street may push the general public towards voting for Reform.
Brits feel that their High Street has declined more than any other part of their local area over the past decade, the university study revealed.
And Reform supporters were more likely than anyone else to say their area had significantly declined.
Researchers have warned ‘the government must urgently tackle feelings that parts of the country are being neglected and overlooked’ (pictured: Crawley town centre, West Sussex)
Prof Will Jennings, who led the research, said: ‘People tend to think that politicians in Westminster don’t care about their region and that not enough is being done to improve the economic situation.
Jennings added: ‘This is not new, but the government must urgently tackle feelings that parts of the country are being neglected and overlooked, otherwise like their predecessor they will be washed away in a tide of discontent at the next election.’
Conservative business spokesperson Andrew Griffith said: ‘The meltdown on our High Streets will be replicated by a landslide of Labour MPs losing their seats at the election if they don’t fix things fast. The incomplete U-turn so far just doesn’t cut it.’
The dismal updates follow shop closures at Poundland, River Island and Russell & Bromley in recent weeks.
Andrew Goodacre, who is the chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira), said: ‘The Treasury has made a real mess of the opportunity to seriously reform business rates. This government really does not understand.’
‘Ignoring high streets in this way is leaving an open goal for Reform,’ Goodacre added.
He said: ‘High Streets are always a key issue for constituents at election time. I think the Government is taking the chance and hoping they can be more generous in years to come (pre-election) to head off any threat. For many businesses though, that will be too little too late.’
Retailers are grappling with upcoming increases to wages and business rates in April after being hit with a cocktail of higher taxes – including increases to employers’ National Insurance contributions – last year too.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive at the British Retail Consortium, said: ‘Given this challenging environment, it is little surprise to see shops closing and some businesses falling into administration, and the situation could become worse if government policies add significantly to this burden in 2026.’
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