Nigel Farage ‘single greatest threat’ to livelihood: At Labour meet, Reeves targets Reform UK chief

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has called Nigel Farage and his Reform UK party the “single greatest threat” to working people in Britain. Speaking at Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool on Monday, she warned that the party could weaken Britain’s international ties, undermine the National Health Service, and threaten economic stability.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also highlighted the challenge posed by Farage, saying on Sunday that his government is fighting for the “soul” of Britain.

The remarks came after Reform UK announced plans to end the right of migrants to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), ban non-UK citizens from claiming benefits, and require UK citizenship applicants to renounce other citizenships.

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Populist surge in Britain

Reform UK has gained significant support, tapping into voter frustration with mainstream parties, a trend seen across Europe in countries like Romania, Germany, and France. Recent polls suggest the party could win more than a third of the national vote if elections were held now.

British Muslim scholar Usaama al Azami, a former Oxford lecturer now teaching in Qatar, expressed concern about the party’s rise. “I am following the rise of Reform with considerable concern, particularly since my family lives in the UK,” he told TRT World. He criticised Labour for pandering to Reform and Conservatives for working with Farage. Azami also noted that Farage has used migrants and Muslims as “scapegoats” for economic problems.

Reform’s policies could affect hundreds of thousands of people, though EU citizens with settled status are exempt from the proposed benefits ban and ILR restrictions. Indefinite leave to remain allows legal migrants to live in the UK without repeatedly renewing visas.

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Starmer condemns Reform policies

Prime Minister Starmer told the BBC, “Well, I do think that it is a racist policy. I do think it is immoral. It needs to be called out for what it is.” However, he stopped short of criticising voters who support Reform UK.