"After Nigel Farage dominated the summer headlines with weekly press conferences while his rivals were on their sunloungers and the news agenda was light, Labour strategists swore they would never let it happen again. Labour MPs had returned to Westminster after recess, fuming that the government had vacated the public arena and allowed Reform UK to shape the narrative to the extent that the mood hardened against Keir Starmer."
"Whenever Farage opens his mouth he seems to create news, even if he's talking absolute bollocks, and somehow that sustains Reform's lead in the polls, said one frustrated Labour MP. At least we haven't vacated the pitch like we did in the summer, but we still haven't got our strategy on Reform right. We can't just take them on, we also need to shout about our own alternative. Whatever we do at the moment it doesn't seem to make much difference."
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has repeatedly seized slow news moments with frequent press conferences to dominate headlines and sustain a persistent lead in polls. Labour MPs returned from recess angry that the government vacated public space over summer, allowing Reform to set the narrative and harden opposition to Keir Starmer. Frustration has eased into despondency, but anxiety remains ahead of next May's elections. Labour struggles to find an effective response, recognizing that direct confrontation alone is insufficient and that a clear, positive alternative and consistent front-foot media strategy are needed.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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