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Recent polling data indicates that Reform UK, spearheaded by Nigel Farage, is experiencing a significant surge, now closely trailing Labour by just one percentage point, a trend largely attributed to its appeal on immigration policies. This development emerges from an Opinium poll conducted for the Observer.
The ascent of this populist right-wing party has raised alarm bells within the Labour leadership, particularly among MPs in constituencies where Reform UK performed strongly in the previous general election.
The latest figures reveal Labour at 27%, Reform UK at 26%, and the Conservative Party lagging behind at 22%. The Liberal Democrats and Greens stand at 11% and 8%, respectively. Notably, Reform UK’s support has grown from approximately 20% following the last general election, contrasting with a decline for Labour and the Tories.
Among current supporters of Reform, 37% cite the party’s stringent immigration policies as their primary motivation for backing it. In a broader category of potential supporters—those considering voting for Reform—72% express that the party’s immigration and border control strategies are pivotal in their decision-making process. This focus on immigration outstrips all other issues, with around 36% highlighting Reform UK’s anti-European Union position.
During the last general election, Reform UK emphasized migration in two of its five core policy commitments. The party proposed freezing non-essential immigration while allowing exceptions solely for essential healthcare professionals. Furthermore, on the contentious issue of small boats transporting migrants across the English Channel, Reform UK advocated for forcibly returning illegal migrants to France, promising that no illegal migrants would be resettled in the UK.
Additionally, the poll reveals a concerning decline in Keir Starmer’s personal approval ratings since the general election. His perceived connection with the public has notably dropped from a positive +4% in June of the previous year to a troubling -34%. Similarly, his standing as a representative of public sentiment has seen a significant fall, plummeting from +1% to -39%.
In response to Reform UK’s rising influence, Labour MPs representing 89 vulnerable constituencies have formed an informal caucus. This group is actively urging the government to adopt a more assertive approach towards migration and crime, indicating a growing concern over the shifting political landscape.
Source
www.theguardian.com