Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) is preparing to blame Nigel Farage for upcoming tax rises, accusing the Reform UK leader of "easy sloganeering" during the 2016 Brexit referendum campaign. The Labour government plans to cite official figures suggesting the UK's economy would be around £120 billion bigger by 2035 if not for Brexit.
The strategy comes as the UK economy managed only 0.3 per cent growth from April to June, down from 0.7 per cent in the previous quarter. Reform UK is now leading in multiple polls with figures ranging from 33-35 per cent while Labour trails at just 20 per cent.
Conference confrontation
At last month's Labour conference, Starmer directly targeted Farage with unusually personal attacks. He told delegates: "We can all see these snake oil merchants, on the right, on the left, but be in no doubt, conference, none of them have any interest in national renewal."
"When was the last time you heard Nigel Farage say anything positive about Britain's future?" the Prime Minister asked. "He doesn't like Britain, doesn't believe in Britain, wants you to doubt it as much as he does."
Farage fires back
Farage responded on social media, declaring Starmer "not fit to be Prime Minister" and describing Labour as being in "absolute blind panic" about Reform's polling success. The Reform UK leader accused Labour of calling voters racist for opposing current immigration policies.
"According to Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves if you think young men that illegally cross the English Channel should be detained and deported, you're racist," Farage said in a video message.
Behind-the-scenes pressure
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is actively pressuring business leaders to support a positive economic narrative, warning that Reform could gain power if they don't back Labour's messaging. Business confidence has hit a three-year low due to Labour's tax policies, particularly employer National Insurance increases.
Reform UK's policy promises would cost £100-130 billion, though funding mechanisms remain questionable according to fiscal analysis. The party's surge forms part of a global far-right movement, with autocracies now outnumbering democracies 91 to 88 worldwide.
Sources used: "Birminghammail", "Express", "City A.M", "The Guardian" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
