Prime Minister Keir Starmer has launched a blistering attack on Reform UK, accusing the party of “fawning over Putin” as he kicked off Labour’s local election campaign in Derbyshire. Speaking in an area with the worst pothole problem in England, Starmer devoted more time to criticising Nigel Farage’s party than the Conservatives, signalling Labour’s view that Reform poses a significant threat in next month’s polls.
Starmer zeroed in on Reform’s perceived vulnerabilities, including its stance on the NHS, workers’ rights, and national security. He highlighted that Reform MPs voted against banning fire-and-rehire, scrapping zero-hours contracts, and providing sick leave and maternity pay, despite claiming to support workers. On the NHS, he accused them of wanting to charge patients for using the service.
The Prime Minister also attacked Reform’s internal divisions, referencing the feud between Nigel Farage and MP Rupert Lowe, stating: “They say they want to run the country but can’t even run themselves.” He repeated the line: “They claim to be the party of patriotism. I’ll tell you this, there’s nothing patriotic about fawning over Putin.”
Labour is eager to capitalise on Farage’s historical comments about Russia, including his 17 appearances on Russian state-funded RT between 2010 and 2014, and his party’s votes in the European Parliament against motions critical of Russia. Although Farage has recently condemned Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, he has previously said the EU and Nato “provoked” Russia by expanding eastwards.
Starmer was joined by Deputy Leader Angela Rayner at a pharmacy near Chesterfield to launch Labour’s local and mayoral election campaigns. They pledged to bring bus services under public control and invest £1.6bn in local roads. Elections are set for 23 councils and mayoral contests in areas including the West of England, Hull, and Greater Lincolnshire.
