As we enter 2025 it is clear that, if there ever was a honeymoon period for the new Labour government, it is certainly over. There is increasing discontent amongst workers, with sixth-form school teachers currently taking strike action because the new government is allowing different pay levels between academy and local authority run schools. Anger is also building at a pay offer of less than 3% which in the words of the general secretary of the NEU, Daniel Kebede, “will just not do.” Teachers are dumbfounded that the Labour government has yet again revealed how out of touch it is with the public mood, by denying what in effect is a tiny sum to a specific group of teachers in an attempt to further promote its academisation agenda. This is on top of a whole raft of miserly and vindictive attacks on public servants, such as nurses and civil servants as well as the poor, previously reported on this website.
In addition, Labour continues to support the massacre of the Palestinians in Gaza and refuses to challenge incomes of the richest 1% or introduce any kind of progressive tax reform.
At the same time there is increasing support for the far-right business friendly Reform Party who took huge numbers of votes from the Conservative Party during the July general election, but now appear to be making inroads into the Labour vote. The result of the 2024 election saw support for Labour at 35% with the Conservatives on 24%, Reform 15%, Liberal Democrats 13% and Greens 7%.
An average taken from the latest polls shows a dramatic shift away from Labour of 7%, with Labour on 28% and Reform now on 20%, an increase of 5%. The other major party’s vote share has altered little with the Conservatives on 25% + 1%, Liberal Democrats 12% – 1% and Greens 8% +1%. These numbers can only really be interpreted as a shift away from Labour and towards the far-right Reform Party.
The Reform Party is the party that emerged out of UKIP following Brexit and is now under the authoritarian leadership of Nigel Farage – an ex-city broker who gets all the media attention he desires. Reform stands on a far-right platform opposed to the EU and takes a strong racist line on immigration. Reform won five MPs at the last election and has garnered support from disillusioned Tories as well as far-right elements. Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, has been linked to them and has shown his support for them, although Farage has tried to distance himself from an individual with neo-fascist ideas who is currently serving a gaol sentence for multiple contempt of court. Elon Musk has previously shown support for Yaxley and his far-right ideology. There have been meetings recently between Musk and Farage, which appear to have been friendly and collaborative and mention made of the potential for a huge $100 million donation from Musk to The Reform Party.
However Farage’s current distancing of himself from Yaxley has gained the attention of Musk, who recently announced on ‘X’ that Farage, “doesn’t have what it takes,” to be the leader of the Reform Party and backs Rupert Lowe the Great Yarmouth MP, who in the opinion of Musk, “makes a lot of sense”. Farage cites the disagreement over Yaxley between himself and Musk as the cause for a change of stance by Musk.
The fact that we are describing this connection between the richest man in the world with far-right and extremist ideas and an ex-city broker who runs a relatively new British far-right political party might seem strange but it is an indication of the extent of the malign influence of the masters of capital not just in their own back-yards but also internationally.
It will maybe be the case that the cooling of relations between Musk and Farage leads to Musk withdrawing or reducing his promise of funds for The Reform Party. Maybe Musk believes he can buy the leadership within The Reform Party that he desires; reduce the influence of Farage and increase his own, with Rupert Lowe as his puppet. It is concerning that as well as supporting Trump, Musk has the time and interest to turn his attention towards Britain.
All of the above proves once more the need for an alternative to the Labour Party. The Green Party produced the most left-of centre manifesto for the general election, with policies on the NHS, the economy and immigration well to the left of Labour. They recently appealed directly to Labour voters to support them because of their move to the left. Zack Polanski (Deputy Leader of the Green Party), sent a direct message to activist groups on the 16th December, imploring Left activists to join the Green Party. However, this appeal has not been met with a significant increase in support for the Greens. The Greens track record when in positions of power in local government has been dire with them getting into conflict with workers and ultimately supporting or putting into practice austerity budgets. The trait of going back on promises made is not lost on many on the Left.
There are efforts being made to build an independent left alternative and it looks as though Collective, the main group that is trying to bring the Left in the UK together, will register as a political party early this year but not in time to fight the local elections in May (read more on Collective here). The Left may not have the funds that Reform can garner from a significant layer of support in the business community, especially amongst small businesses, but it can put boots on the ground – with Collective claiming a current membership of over 4000. This membership would rise exponentially if supported by key figures on the Left and trade unionists disillusioned with the lies that Labour has fed them and looking for a socialist alternative.
The whole situation proves once more the fragility of the Labour election victory and its craven capitulation to the ruling class. This is leading to continuing disillusion in its support base. It is the cause of more people to leaving the Party and looking for an alternative as well as people entering the political arena for the first time. These forces are looking to fight-back against the far-right and build a progressive Left party. There is still a long way to go and much confusion and some disillusion, but this can be overcome if the left unites in a concerted open and well-coordinated manner. Collective can play a part in this process and possibly bring a unity on the Left not seen previously.
