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Kruger admits Labour has gained ground on Reform after turbulent year
Danny Kruger has acknowledged that Reform UK has lost some support to Labour after what he called “a very difficult year”. He attributed Labour’s gains partly to Andy Burnham appearing a more plausible leader, while insisting he does not regret leaving the Conservatives and that Reform remains on course to win.
Reform is facing scrutiny over Nigel Farage’s failure to declare a £5m gift, undercover investigations, departures of advisers and councillors, and questions about vetting and professionalisation. Recent polls put Labour at 31%, the Conservatives at 26% and Reform at 18%; Kruger argued that Reform can still compete across the UK, while former Reform defector Tim Montgomerie said it was now unlikely to win the next general election.
In short
- Kruger says Reform has lost support to Labour.
- He points to a difficult year and Burnham’s stronger appeal.
- A poll puts Reform on 18%, behind Labour and the Conservatives.
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The case for
Kruger’s argument is that Reform’s recent setbacks and polling decline reflect a turbulent period, not a lasting limit on its appeal. Labour may have benefited from Burnham seeming a more plausible leader, but Reform can still compete nationally if it addresses concerns over vetting and organisation while offering voters a distinct alternative to the established parties.
The case against
The case that Reform’s prospects have materially weakened points to its fall to 18% in recent polls, alongside scrutiny over Farage’s undeclared gift, undercover investigations and departures among advisers and councillors. These problems may suggest deeper weaknesses in leadership and organisation, while Labour’s gains and Montgomerie’s assessment make a Reform victory at the next general election look less likely.
Explained simply
Reform UK is a political party led by Nigel Farage. Danny Kruger, a former Conservative MP, joined it after leaving the Conservatives; Andy Burnham is the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester and a prominent figure in the party.
The parties are competing for voters ahead of the next UK general election. Reform has faced questions about its finances, internal organisation and candidate checks, while polls offer one indication of how much support each party has; they do not determine the election result.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Reform UK losing support to Labour after ‘difficult year’, says Danny Kruger”.