Reform’s grievance Budget wishlist shows just how out of touch their party is

Ahead of John Healey’s first Budget tomorrow, Reform UK unveiled its proposals to “save” Britain’s economy – to an almost empty room…

It seems that the scandals and sleaze from Farage and his band of turquoise Tories have been so great that no business leaders or even many of the party’s members wanted to be seen alongside him and Robert Jenrick at yesterday’s event. For his part, Farage blamed the poor turnout on “staff incompetence”, prompting the TUC to note: “A bad boss always blames his staff”.

The substance of Reform’s offering to the country is equally lacklustre, and appears to be nothing short of – as I saw it described on Twitter – “boomer slop”. Some of their proposals include ripping up environmental protections, scrapping the Renters’ Rights Act and the Employment Rights Act, junking net zero legislation, repealing board diversity and inclusion rules, and – perhaps the most out-of-touch of the bunch – “relegalising” Imperial measurements.

Such policies come across less as a plan for government but more as the rantings of some chronically online right-wing basement dweller, disconnected from reality and people’s real lived experiences and needs.

Who would endorse the vision of Britain they are peddling? One that would make sewage spills the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our green and pleasant land, would allow landlords to exploit their tenants, do nothing to address the climate crisis, and crucially put corporate profit above the interests of the British people.

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The contrast could hardly be clearer. Chancellor John Healey and our Labour government are looking at practical ways to ease the cost of living and give people that much-needed “breathing space”. Extending parental pay to self-employed partners. Scrapping import tariffs on groceries to bring down bills. Reforming the Carer’s Allowance so people no longer risk losing their benefit when they earn above the current limit. These are policies designed to make a tangible difference to people’s lives, rather than simply tear up protections and turn back the clock.

Reform may want to sell itself as the party of change, but a near-empty room and a wishlist of right-wing grievances hardly inspire confidence. Tomorrow, Labour has the opportunity to show what a different kind of government can deliver – and why that matters far more than Reform’s bluster.

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