ANALYSIS

       Nigel Farage has been on a mission to cast Reform as the real Opposition (Image: Getty)

       Keir Starmer is playing straight into Nigel Farage’s hands. The Labour leader now describes Reform UK as his party’s “main rivals for power”.

       Sir Keir reportedly told Labour MPs this week that the “Conservatives are not our principal opponent”.

       Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

       Fly New York to Paris in Luxury with La CompagnieLa Compagnie | Sponsored Sponsored

       Book Now

       Undo

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Shock poll shows Reform storming ahead on 29% as Tories drop to FOURTH

       1231 Comments

       Labour's electoral survival depends on pacifying pensioners

       54 Comments

       Furious voters are rejecting both the major parties as Reform, Lib Dems and Greens gain

       43 Comments

       Keir Starmer drops two massive clue Labour are panicking about Reform UK

       14 Comments

       Nigel Farage issues 12-word warning to Kemi Badenoch after disastrous poll

       17 Comments

       Nigel Farage exposes Keir Starmer 'surrender' to EU in major Brexit betrayal

       1531 Comments

       Keir Starmer torn apart with just three words as GB News star unleashes fury at EU deal

       4 Comments

       Bombshell poll as Labour voters turn to Nigel Farage in hammer blow for Keir Starmer

       200 Comments

       Lee Anderson's 4-word verdict as poll predicts Reform Commons majority and Lib Dems 2nd

       119 Comments

       Keir Starmer sparks confusion after dodging question on fighting next election

       74 Comments

       Kemi Badenoch vows to continue fight for pensioners after Keir Starmer's U-turn

       6 Comments

       Keir Starmer humiliated by own Labour member in stinging GMB takedown

       9 Comments

       Lee Anderson weighs into Farage 'absence' row as ex-MP calls him 'emperor without clothes'

       75 Comments

       Keir Starmer dealt devastating blow live on ITV's Loose Women as Reform threat advances

       9 Comments

       Experts Confirm: This Is the Best Bra for Lift and Comfort After 40Shapermint | Sponsored Sponsored

       Read More

       Undo

       POLL: Who do you think should replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader?

       372 Comments

       Keir Starmer dealt humiliating blow on GB News as 'brewing war' sparks crisis for Labour

       13 Comments

       Enlarged Prostate Has Nothing to Do with Age. Just Stop Doing This One Common Thing!Health Benefits | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Nigel Farage finally breaks silence after days of speculation about his disappearance

       903 Comments

       UK heading for 'earthquake' with Nigel Farage leading pack

       70 Comments

       Say Goodbye to Rust! This Spray Eliminates It in SecondsRemove Rust With Ease | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Nigel Farage gets another huge boost for Reform UK in humiliation for Tories

       57 Comments

       Labour predicted to axe votes at 16 to stop Reform winning youth vote

       Comments

       Lashes Grow Like Weeds in Weeks (Do This Every Night)Beauty News Daily | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Shock poll shows Reform storming ahead on 29% as Tories drop to FOURTH

       1231 Comments

       Labour's electoral survival depends on pacifying pensioners

       54 Comments

       Heartfelt Story of a Lady and Her Gorilla [See More]Bloclines | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Furious voters are rejecting both the major parties as Reform, Lib Dems and Greens gain

       43 Comments

       Keir Starmer drops two massive clue Labour are panicking about Reform UK

       14 Comments

       Get started today!Interactive Brokers | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Nigel Farage issues 12-word warning to Kemi Badenoch after disastrous poll

       17 Comments

       Nigel Farage exposes Keir Starmer 'surrender' to EU in major Brexit betrayal

       1531 Comments

       I asked the super rich what they attribute their success to. All of them mentioned books.Blinkist Magazine | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Keir Starmer torn apart with just three words as GB News star unleashes fury at EU deal

       4 Comments

       Bombshell poll as Labour voters turn to Nigel Farage in hammer blow for Keir Starmer

       200 Comments

       Sarah Palin, 61, Shows Off Her Actual Size In A New Photos.33 Bridges | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Lee Anderson's 4-word verdict as poll predicts Reform Commons majority and Lib Dems 2nd

       119 Comments

       Keir Starmer sparks confusion after dodging question on fighting next election

       74 Comments

       They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock YouReportingly | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Kemi Badenoch vows to continue fight for pensioners after Keir Starmer's U-turn

       6 Comments

       Keir Starmer humiliated by own Labour member in stinging GMB takedown

       9 Comments

       Guy Fieri Has A Famous Wife Not Many People Know AboutRefinance Gold | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Lee Anderson weighs into Farage 'absence' row as ex-MP calls him 'emperor without clothes'

       75 Comments

       Keir Starmer dealt devastating blow live on ITV's Loose Women as Reform threat advances

       9 Comments

       POLL: Who do you think should replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader?

       372 Comments

       Keir Starmer dealt humiliating blow on GB News as 'brewing war' sparks crisis for Labour

       13 Comments

       Nigel Farage finally breaks silence after days of speculation about his disappearance

       903 Comments

       UK heading for 'earthquake' with Nigel Farage leading pack

       70 Comments

       Nigel Farage gets another huge boost for Reform UK in humiliation for Tories

       57 Comments

       Labour predicted to axe votes at 16 to stop Reform winning youth vote

       Comments

       Shock poll shows Reform storming ahead on 29% as Tories drop to FOURTH

       1231 Comments

       Labour's electoral survival depends on pacifying pensioners

       54 Comments

       Furious voters are rejecting both the major parties as Reform, Lib Dems and Greens gain

       43 Comments

       Keir Starmer drops two massive clue Labour are panicking about Reform UK

       14 Comments

       Nigel Farage issues 12-word warning to Kemi Badenoch after disastrous poll

       17 Comments

       Nigel Farage exposes Keir Starmer 'surrender' to EU in major Brexit betrayal

       1531 Comments

       Keir Starmer torn apart with just three words as GB News star unleashes fury at EU deal

       4 Comments

       These words – straight from the mouth from the mouth of the Prime Minister – are exactly what Mr Farage wants and needs as he seeks to demolish the Conservatives.

       The big danger facing Reform is if people see them as a protest vote – the party to turn to when you want to give the traditional parties of power a kick in the shins, but not a serious choice when considering who to back in a general election.

       Powered By

       00:00/01:58

       10 Sec

       534K

       89

       Rishi Sunak arrives at polling station to vote in North Yorkshire

       Next

       Stay

       By describing Reform as a rival for “power”, he is giving Reform credibility as a contender to be a party of government.

       Sponsored

       WooryFood | Sponsored Sponsored

       Milana, 38, Shows Her Huge Size In New Photos

       Undo

       Don't miss...

       Labour predicted to axe votes at 16 to stop Reform winning youth vote [LATEST]

       Nigel Farage issues damning verdict on Keir Starmer's EU 'surrender deal' [COMMENT]

       Kemi Badenoch slams Starmer for 'stitching up' with EU reset [LIVE]

       Two reasons Sir Keir Starmer is talking-up Reform

       Reform UK has just five MPs but is ahead in the polls (Image: Getty)

       Sir Keir may think he is being clever by talking-up Reform for two reasons.

       First, Mr Farage is a convenient bogeyman with which to frighten Labour MPs who are grumpy about the party’s miserable poll ratings and unhappy about defending benefit cuts. The message is clear: Unite or you will lose your seats and the country will be run by populists who will make your nightmares reality.

       Second, he will hope the small-c Conservative vote is split at the next election. Last year he was able to win a giant landslide with less than 34% of the vote; his heart will be gladdened at the next election if Tories and Reform supporters spending their days attacking one another instead of Labour.

       It is easy to see why such short-term tactics are attractive to the PM. But it is a dangerous strategy.

       Mr Farage is a genius at winning publicity and does not need Sir Keir’s help. If the Labour leader presents Mr Farage as a PM-in-waiting this will only help Reform recruit donors, voters and activists.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Shock poll shows Reform storming ahead on 29% as Tories drop to FOURTH

       1231 Comments

       Labour's electoral survival depends on pacifying pensioners

       54 Comments

       Furious voters are rejecting both the major parties as Reform, Lib Dems and Greens gain

       43 Comments

       Keir Starmer drops two massive clue Labour are panicking about Reform UK

       14 Comments

       Nigel Farage issues 12-word warning to Kemi Badenoch after disastrous poll

       17 Comments

       Nigel Farage exposes Keir Starmer 'surrender' to EU in major Brexit betrayal

       1531 Comments

       Keir Starmer torn apart with just three words as GB News star unleashes fury at EU deal

       4 Comments

       Bombshell poll as Labour voters turn to Nigel Farage in hammer blow for Keir Starmer

       200 Comments

       Lee Anderson's 4-word verdict as poll predicts Reform Commons majority and Lib Dems 2nd

       119 Comments

       Keir Starmer sparks confusion after dodging question on fighting next election

       74 Comments

       Kemi Badenoch vows to continue fight for pensioners after Keir Starmer's U-turn

       6 Comments

       Keir Starmer humiliated by own Labour member in stinging GMB takedown

       9 Comments

       Lee Anderson weighs into Farage 'absence' row as ex-MP calls him 'emperor without clothes'

       75 Comments

       Keir Starmer dealt devastating blow live on ITV's Loose Women as Reform threat advances

       9 Comments

       Try This Salt Trick for ED That Urologists Swear ByMens Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       POLL: Who do you think should replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader?

       373 Comments

       Keir Starmer dealt humiliating blow on GB News as 'brewing war' sparks crisis for Labour

       13 Comments

       Selena Gomez Is Photographed Without Makeup, This Is How She Really LooksFinance Nemo | Sponsored Sponsored

       Read More

       Undo

       Nigel Farage finally breaks silence after days of speculation about his disappearance

       903 Comments

       UK heading for 'earthquake' with Nigel Farage leading pack

       70 Comments

       This 2-Minute ED Trick Has Urologists StunnedMens Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Nigel Farage gets another huge boost for Reform UK in humiliation for Tories

       57 Comments

       Labour predicted to axe votes at 16 to stop Reform winning youth vote

       Comments

       Learn More: Prostate CancerGoodRx | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Shock poll shows Reform storming ahead on 29% as Tories drop to FOURTH

       1231 Comments

       Labour's electoral survival depends on pacifying pensioners

       54 Comments

       If You Drink Almond Milk Everyday, This Is What HappensGundry MD | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Furious voters are rejecting both the major parties as Reform, Lib Dems and Greens gain

       43 Comments

       Keir Starmer drops two massive clue Labour are panicking about Reform UK

       14 Comments

       Here's What it Costs To Replace All Windows in An Average Nevada HouseSmart Lifestyle Trends | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Nigel Farage issues 12-word warning to Kemi Badenoch after disastrous poll

       17 Comments

       Nigel Farage exposes Keir Starmer 'surrender' to EU in major Brexit betrayal

       1531 Comments

       Cardiologists: Want To Stay Slim at 58? Do This Turmeric Trick Every Morning!Hollywood News | Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Keir Starmer torn apart with just three words as GB News star unleashes fury at EU deal

       4 Comments

       Bombshell poll as Labour voters turn to Nigel Farage in hammer blow for Keir Starmer

       200 Comments

       Identical Twins, Opposite Bodies – Here’s WhyTwin Sisters | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Lee Anderson's 4-word verdict as poll predicts Reform Commons majority and Lib Dems 2nd

       119 Comments

       Keir Starmer sparks confusion after dodging question on fighting next election

       74 Comments

       Unlock up to 40% savings.Trivago | Sponsored Sponsored

       Get Offer

       Undo

       Kemi Badenoch vows to continue fight for pensioners after Keir Starmer's U-turn

       6 Comments

       Keir Starmer humiliated by own Labour member in stinging GMB takedown

       9 Comments

       10 Funny Pun Signs That Will Make You LaughHouseCultures | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Lee Anderson weighs into Farage 'absence' row as ex-MP calls him 'emperor without clothes'

       75 Comments

       Keir Starmer dealt devastating blow live on ITV's Loose Women as Reform threat advances

       9 Comments

       POLL: Who do you think should replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader?

       373 Comments

       Keir Starmer dealt humiliating blow on GB News as 'brewing war' sparks crisis for Labour

       13 Comments

       Nigel Farage finally breaks silence after days of speculation about his disappearance

       903 Comments

       UK heading for 'earthquake' with Nigel Farage leading pack

       70 Comments

       Nigel Farage gets another huge boost for Reform UK in humiliation for Tories

       57 Comments

       Labour predicted to axe votes at 16 to stop Reform winning youth vote

       Comments

       Shock poll shows Reform storming ahead on 29% as Tories drop to FOURTH

       1231 Comments

       Labour's electoral survival depends on pacifying pensioners

       54 Comments

       Furious voters are rejecting both the major parties as Reform, Lib Dems and Greens gain

       43 Comments

       Keir Starmer drops two massive clue Labour are panicking about Reform UK

       14 Comments

       Nigel Farage issues 12-word warning to Kemi Badenoch after disastrous poll

       17 Comments

       Nigel Farage exposes Keir Starmer 'surrender' to EU in major Brexit betrayal

       1531 Comments

       Keir Starmer torn apart with just three words as GB News star unleashes fury at EU deal

       4 Comments

       Has BMW Reinvented The Luxury Electric SUV? (Take A Peek)BudgetSmart | Search Ads

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Maria Sharapova Wows in a Gorgeous Red Dress, Turning Heads EverywhereBigGlobalTravel

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Errol Musk admits to fathering two children with his stepdaughter: "One thing led to another"Ohmymag

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       When To Take An Alaska CruiseBudgetSmart | Search Ads

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       And what does Sir Keir hope will happen by talking-down the electoral threat from the Conservatives? Does he want Kemi Badenoch replaced with someone else who is determined to unite the right and bring this era of Left-wing Government to an end?

       Trending

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

       Sir Keir should be careful of what he wishes for

       The Prime Minister may be trying to split the Right but this is a dangerous strategy (Image: Getty)

       He is absolutely right to take Reform seriously. The party came second to Labour in 89 seats in the general election and is in top place in the polls.

       But if he makes it easier for people to imagine Mr Farage at the cabinet table, he makes it easier for Reform to beat Labour.