Populism

Populist parties thrive on discontent: The data proves it

— Populist parties have surged across Europe, fuelled by dissatisfaction, distrust, and economic inequality post-2008 financial and 2015 migration crises. Restoring political trust could counter this trend.

OPINION

The far-right could come to Scotland too

— Trump’s election victory has fuelled far-right nationalist gains, threatening minority and migrant rights in the US and intensifying right-wing populism in Scotland. Reform UK’s recent growth in Scotland now signals a potential rise in anti-immigration and climate-sceptic influence at Holyrood.

UK Politics

Nigel Farage, AI and the revolt of the squeezed middle: Class politics is about to get messier than ever

— Disillusioned working-class voters, largely ignored by major parties, increasingly risk shifting to Reform UK, especially those prioritising issues like immigration. Labour’s grip on key constituencies remains vulnerable, with slim majorities at stake.

Climate Change

What Kemi Badenoch means for the UK’s fragile consensus on climate change

— Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s scepticism toward net zero targets signals a shift, emphasising pragmatism and economic caution. Her ambivalence on climate policy suggests potential divisive strategies targeting Reform voters.

UK Politics

Why the Tories may be wasting their time trying to compete with Reform

— The Reform Party did not significantly undermine the Conservative vote in the last general election. In fact, both parties drew support from different demographic groups and were electoral allies rather than rivals.

OPINION

Let Glasgow flourish against fascism

— British politics has seen alarming far-right normalisation, driven by figures like Nigel Farage and extremist groups. To counter their growing influence, anti-fascists and Scottish independence supporters must unite.

2024 General Election

Young people led surge for smaller parties but no Reform ‘youthquake’, says UK election survey

— The General Election highlighted a stark age divide: young voters rejected the Conservatives, favouring Labour, Greens, and the Liberal Democrats. Turnout among young people, especially from poorer backgrounds, was also significantly lower, indicating rising political disengagement.

2024 General Election

Why Nigel Farage’s anti-media election interference claims are so dangerous

— With election day approaching, Nigel Farage has accused the media of undemocratic actions following a Channel 4 investigation revealing racist comments by a Reform UK canvasser. Farage claims media bias and election interference, echoing Donald Trump’s rhetoric.

2024 General Election

Why is Nigel Farage taking on the Daily Mail?

— Nigel Farage and the Daily Mail were previously close ideological bedfellows. Now, the leader of Reform UK is feuding with the newspaper over a controversial headline linking him to Putin’s ideology. Farage accuses the Mail of dishonesty and even threatens legal action.

2024 General Election

What would a Reform surge do to Labour and the Liberal Democrats? Two scenarios mapped

— Labour’s Keir Starmer and LibDem’s Ed Davey appear to have a tacit agreement to avoid campaigning against each other, focusing on defeating the Conservatives. The Reform party could further divide the Conservative vote and increase their chances in marginal seats.

UK Politics

Major donor to Nigel Farage’s Reform party owns Russian assets

— After Nigel Farage faced criticism for claiming the West provoked Putin’s Ukraine invasion, it emerged that a major donor to his Reform party, with significant Russian business interests, owns vast farmland in Russia.

2024 General Election

Another election, another round of Nigel Farage hype, with no lessons learned

— Nigel Farage, never elected to the House of Commons, is again shaping the UK agenda. Despite low electoral success, media hype, and mainstream elites bolster his far-right influence, diverting attention from crucial issues.

2024 General Election

Has Reform really overtaken the Tories in the polls? And does that mean it could beat them on July 4?

— A YouGov poll shows Reform UK leading the Conservatives for the first time, 19% to 18%. Despite this, both parties are essentially tied. Nigel Farage’s leadership has boosted Reform’s support, affecting Conservative vote shares and potentially aiding Labour and Liberal Democrats.

2024 General Election

Election 2024: How many seats every party in Westminster is defending – and what they are aiming for on July 4

— Polls predict major losses for the Conservatives and gains for Labour. Each party in Westminster faces unique challenges, with Conservatives bracing for opposition and Labour aiming for a majority. Smaller parties also navigate significant electoral dynamics.

2024 General Election

Sunak and Starmer’s first TV debate: a tetchy PMQs where no one dared mention the F-word

— The first 2024 election debate felt anticlimactic, with Rishi Sunak indirectly addressing the absent Nigel Farage. Sunak’s aggressive tactics against Labour’s Keir Starmer suggested future ambitions over current priorities.

UK Politics

The size of the swing to Labour in the Blackpool South by-election made this such an unpleasant night for Rishi Sunak

— Debates ponder if the upcoming general election will mirror the close 1992 or landslide 1997 outcomes. Amid significant shifts, including in Blackpool South, Labour sees unprecedented by-election success, while the Conservatives face potential annihilation, struggling even against the Reform party.