There was a time when Nigel Farage and the term “Brexit” were intertwined during election campaigns.
However, in this week’s local elections, the topic of Brexit didn’t seem to resonate with voters, despite Farage’s role in shaping Britain’s EU narrative. Instead, it appears that reform leaders have emerged as a significant political force.
This is especially surprising, given the working-class backdrop of many of these votes. Some argue that voters feel constrained by the UK’s trading conditions outside the EU.
But it seems Farage isn’t weighed down by Brexit in these elections; a recent poll indicates that Labour voters who shifted toward reform aren’t blaming him. In fact, they seem to point fingers at his political adversaries instead.
Insights from the Good Growth Foundation, a think tank connected to Labour leadership, provide some context. Their poll suggests that among crucial swing voters, Farage seems to distance himself from previous responsibilities, calling it a personal achievement.
The survey, conducted in mid-March by JL Partners with 2,200 voters, shows a shift towards reform among former Labour supporters.
Among those who switched, 39% believe Brexit has had negative effects, but they generally don’t attribute blame to Farage. Instead, 30% criticize the Conservatives, while 29% target Boris Johnson, and only 11% hold Farage responsible.
Farage’s net favorability stands at 46% among these reform switchers, a stark contrast to the national average of -2%. He claims to defend British values, often stating, “I’ll tell it as it is.”
A woman from Rochdale, who recently switched her support, remarked that things seemed quite stagnant.
The results from the local elections indicate that Farage taps into a strong desire for change among the public.
Labour strategists now consider reform to be their primary threat. Jonathan Ashworth, a former Labour figure, suggested these results hint at a potential two-party system emerging between Labour and reform.
In the upcoming weeks and months, Labour figures will delve into what’s driving the reform surge, though there may be divisions on how to address this. Some hope to focus on controlling both legal and illegal migration, while others cite recent public discontent with government cuts.
Kiel Starmer mentioned over the weekend that they’d “get it,” indicating some Labour lawmakers are ready to take responsibility for policy decisions believed to have alienated voters in northern towns and cities.
For Farage, the man who has influenced political discourse from the sidelines for much of his career, accountability for his major political impacts seems to be a long time coming.
