Prime Minister Keir Starmer has launched Labour's local election campaign by accusing Reform UK of 'fawning over Putin', as he attacked Nigel Farage over past comments about the Russian leader. Speaking in Derbyshire, Starmer devoted more time to criticising the right-wing populist party than the Conservatives, reflecting Labour's view that Reform is a key rival in next month's elections.
Starmer focused on areas where Labour believes Reform is vulnerable, including the NHS, workers' rights, and national security. He highlighted Reform MPs' voting records, saying they 'voted against banning fire-and-rehire, scrapping exploitative zero-hours contracts, and sick leave and maternity pay'. He also accused them of wanting to charge people for using the NHS.
Referring to internal party conflicts, Starmer said Reform 'says it wants to run the country' but 'can't even run itself'. He repeatedly stated: 'They claim to be the party of patriotism. I'll tell you this, there's nothing patriotic about fawning over Putin.'
Labour is keen to exploit Farage's past comments on Russia, including his 17 appearances on Russian state-funded RT between 2010 and 2014, and his party's votes against EU motions critical of Russia. Although Farage has since said Putin is responsible for the war in Ukraine, he has also claimed the EU and Nato 'provoked' the invasion.
The launch took place outside a pharmacy in Chesterfield, where Starmer and Deputy Leader Angela Rayner emphasised plans to bring bus services under public control and invest £1.6bn in local roads. Elections are being held in 23 councils, with mayoral contests in several regions, including Hull, Greater Lincolnshire, and East Yorkshire for the first time.
