Prime Minister Keir Starmer will today accuse Nigel Farage of pushing “fantasy” economic policies. This comes in the wake of Reform’s strong local election results. In a speech in the northwest of England, he plans to liken Farage’s tax pledges to the disastrous agenda of former Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Starmer will argue that Reform UK’s proposed tax cuts are unfunded and dangerous. These claims follow Reform’s strong local election results. He claims they mirror the same gamble Truss took, which triggered financial turmoil and soaring mortgage rates. He warns that Farage is now risking the same outcome for working families, reflecting Reform’s election impact.
“Farage is making the exact same bet Liz Truss did,” Starmer will say. “You’ll end up paying the price again.”
The clash comes after Reform’s notable results in the local elections. The party won one by-election, two mayoralties, and gained 677 councillors. Reform’s strong local election results have emerged as a serious challenger. They pose a threat to both Labour and the Conservatives, though Reform didn’t secure a majority of total votes cast.
Starmer’s speech marks a shift in focus. Farage, not the Conservatives, is now seen as his main political rival, following Reform’s influence. On Tuesday, Farage pledged generous benefits and proposed raising the income tax threshold from £12,570 to £20,000.
Experts quickly questioned how Reform would pay for it. The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates the plan could cost £50bn to £80bn annually. Reform’s strong local election results, however, have yet to explain how it would cover this gap.
“At some point, if they want to govern, they’ll need to make the numbers add up,” said IFS economist Stuart Adam. He alluded to Reform’s strong election showing.
Farage dismissed the criticism, calling the Conservatives “irrelevant” and claiming their 200-year run was over. His speech also included a vow to remove the two-child benefit cap. This policy has divided Labour MPs as well.
Reform fired back at Starmer’s accusations. A party spokesman said Labour had already added £100bn in new spending, claiming they lacked credibility on fiscal matters.
Starmer now faces pressure from within his party on several welfare policies. These include disability benefits and the child cap. As the political battlefield shifts, his direct challenge to Farage signals the start of a new electoral rivalry. Reform’s strong local election results have highlighted this rivalry.
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