Former Shadow Cabinet member Chris Williamson explains how Reform UK support policies that would be catastrophic for the UK working class. They appeal to the lowest common denominator and are entirely about division not unity.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
— Chris Williamson (@DerbyChrisW) October 26, 2024
.@reformparty_uk should be renamed as the 'Conform Party' because it's just another political agent of the ruling class. It's certainly no friend of the working class, that's for sure, as their opposition to employment rights for workers proves. pic.twitter.com/1aSsSFYoig
Exposing Reform UK
Reform UK, founded in 2018 initially as the Brexit Party, emerged from the political landscape that Brexit unleashed. Positioned as a supposed alternative to the political establishment, the party critiques the main parties’ approach to the economy, immigration, and other high-stakes issues, often with populist rhetoric aimed at disillusioned voters. Reform UK paints itself as a counter to the so-called “elite” and the traditional parties; however, its policies and positions reveal the party’s commitment to an agenda that serves the ruling class. Despite its attempts to position itself as a party for the people, Reform UK’s approach has been characterised by strategies that do not unify but rather deepen divisions, positioning segments of society against each other and reinforcing structural inequalities.
At its core, Reform UK’s platform often revolves around “us vs. them” messaging, leveraging themes of national sovereignty, anti-immigration sentiment, and ‘free-market’ ideologies. This approach is characteristic of many right-wing populist movements across Europe and beyond, which use emotive, simplistic rhetoric to address complex issues, ultimately resulting in policies that undermine unity rather than fostering it. Reform UK’s tactics reveal a blueprint that is more focused on stoking division and advancing the interests of elites than genuinely addressing the needs of working-class citizens or promoting social cohesion.
One key area in which Reform UK’s allegiance to the ruling class and divisive strategies is evident is in its economic policies. The party espouses a strong free-market ideology, with a focus on deregulation and lowering taxes, particularly for high earners and corporations. While Reform UK claims that these policies will stimulate the economy, benefit small businesses, and increase job opportunities, they disproportionately favour the wealthy and those who already hold economic power. Proposing substantial tax cuts for corporations and higher-income individuals, Reform UK’s policies resemble classic neoliberal approaches that have historically increased wealth disparities and economic inequalities.
When examined closely, the economic agenda Reform UK promotes does not serve the interests of the average worker or those struggling within the modern economic framework. Instead, these policies are set to benefit the top economic echelons, the very people Reform UK claims to challenge. For instance, the party’s position on reducing corporate tax aims to draw investment and business to the UK, yet it’s a tactic that rarely translates to genuine benefits for lower-income groups. Historically, similar measures in the UK have led to increased profits for shareholders and top executives while leaving average workers with stagnant wages and deteriorating labour protections.
The party also advocates a reduced role for the state, pushing for privatisation and criticising the existence of public services, especially the National Health Service (NHS). While Reform UK asserts that privatisation will increase efficiency, the impact on working-class communities has shown the opposite effect. A privatised healthcare system could lead to a situation where quality care is increasingly accessible only to those who can afford it, exacerbating health inequalities across socio-economic lines. Access to healthcare should be a unifying factor in society; everyone benefits from a robust NHS that provides equitable healthcare to all citizens. However, the privatisation efforts Reform UK supports indicate a preference for market-driven healthcare that, rather than bringing society together, would widen the gap between those who can afford high-quality care and those who cannot.
Another area where Reform UK’s policy approach highlights its ruling class allegiance is its stance on immigration and nationalism. The party has positioned itself as a defender of British culture and identity, frequently using rhetoric that frames immigration as a threat to British society. Reform UK’s calls for a more restrictive immigration policy exploit anxieties over cultural and economic security by presenting immigrants as a drain on public resources and a source of social fragmentation. This tactic, while effective in garnering support from certain demographics, ignores the positive contributions immigrants make to British society and stokes division rather than encouraging unity.
Instead of promoting an inclusive and cohesive society, Reform UK’s policies attempt to pit British-born citizens against immigrants and people of diverse backgrounds, suggesting that resources are finite and that native Britons should come first. This rhetoric of “us versus them” not only serves to reinforce xenophobic sentiments but also distracts from the deeper, systemic issues that contribute to economic and social inequalities. The party’s hardline stance on immigration reveals that rather than fostering national unity, they are content to fuel narratives that scapegoat immigrants for problems largely created by policies that benefit the wealthy.
The framing of immigration as a problem also obscures the real sources of economic strain that many working-class people face. Economic difficulties like wage stagnation, rising housing costs, and limited access to public services are systemic issues, exacerbated by economic policies favouring the wealthy. Yet Reform UK sidesteps these root causes, directing blame towards immigrant communities rather than the economic structures that perpetuate inequality. By promoting this divisive narrative, Reform UK not only diverts attention away from policies that harm the working class but also prevents the solidarity that could challenge the ruling class’s control.
Additionally, Reform UK’s approach to social policy reflects a resistance to measures that would genuinely unify British society by addressing inequality. For instance, the party’s opposition to what it terms “woke culture” often translates to a disregard for efforts to address structural discrimination and promote equality. Reform UK criticises the movement for diversity and inclusion, labelling it as divisive and accusing it of creating resentment among various groups. However, the drive for inclusivity is not about dividing society but rather ensuring that all individuals have equal access to opportunities and are protected against discrimination.
This opposition to diversity initiatives is characteristic of a party that seeks to maintain the status quo rather than push for the structural changes that could foster a more cohesive society. Reform UK’s stance on these issues appeals to certain voter segments disillusioned by discussions around social justice, yet it fails to address the legitimate concerns of marginalised communities who experience systemic barriers in their daily lives. By ignoring or outright opposing efforts to address these barriers, Reform UK aligns itself with the ruling class’s interests, seeking to maintain existing power structures rather than advocate for transformative change.
In education, Reform UK promotes policies that advocate for more competition and a reduction in state involvement, which implicitly favour the more privileged. The party’s support for increased privatisation and selective schooling disregards the systemic inequalities that affect access to quality education. Privatisation in education has consistently led to disparities in access and quality, disproportionately disadvantaging students from lower-income backgrounds. By endorsing policies that prioritise competition over equitable access, Reform UK’s approach aligns with ruling class interests, as it would likely concentrate educational advantages within wealthier segments of society. Education should ideally be a unifying force, offering equal opportunities to all, but Reform UK’s policies would further entrench social divides.
The handling of environmental policies is yet another example where Reform UK’s approach serves to entrench divisions while favouring the interests of the wealthy. The party has been sceptical about climate change policies, framing them as expensive burdens on the average Briton. Reform UK’s stance appeals to those who feel alienated by complex climate discussions but fails to address the reality that the climate crisis disproportionately affects working-class and marginalised communities. The party opposes what it describes as “green taxes,” arguing that they harm average citizens, yet this argument fails to acknowledge that the long-term costs of inaction will be felt most acutely by those with fewer resources to adapt. Climate change is a universal challenge that requires collective effort and responsibility. Reform UK’s approach, however, pits the interests of the ruling class against the long-term needs of the wider population, failing to promote a unified response to an issue that affects all sectors of society.
Reform UK’s alignment with the ruling class is also evident in its stance on labour rights. The party supports a deregulated labour market, which they argue will enhance economic growth and job creation. However, deregulation often results in weakened worker protections, lower wages, and precarious employment conditions. Reform UK’s policies in this area reveal an indifference to the rights and well-being of workers, favouring instead a business environment that prioritises profit over fair employment practices. This approach perpetuates a system where the ruling class benefits from a cheap and flexible labour force, while workers bear the costs of insecure and poorly paid jobs.
Labour rights are essential for fostering a society where all citizens feel valued and protected, yet Reform UK’s support for deregulation would erode these rights, leaving workers more vulnerable. The party’s alignment with corporate interests reflects a ruling class mentality that prioritises profits over people, reinforcing social and economic divides. By promoting policies that weaken worker protections, Reform UK aligns itself with the ruling class’s desire for a more compliant and less empowered workforce, undermining the unity that strong labour rights could bring.
In foreign policy, Reform UK’s stance is similarly divisive, advocating for a hard-line “Britain First” approach that often disregards the benefits of international cooperation. Reform UK’s approach to foreign policy reflects an isolationist perspective that positions Britain in opposition to the international community, creating a sense of British exceptionalism. While the party argues that this approach will protect British interests, it risks alienating allies and undermining the cooperation needed to address global challenges such as climate change, trade, and security.
This form of nationalism fosters a divisive mentality, positioning Britain against the world rather than as part of a global community. By promoting an isolationist stance, Reform UK perpetuates a narrative of British superiority and resistance to collaboration, which can deepen divisions both internationally and domestically. Such an approach appeals to nationalist sentiments within certain voter segments, yet it ultimately weakens the potential for unity and collaboration, both within Britain and beyond its borders.
Reform UK’s positioning as an anti-establishment party is, upon closer examination, a façade that conceals its true allegiance to the ruling class and its divisive strategies. The party’s policies consistently favour the wealthy and powerful, aligning with neoliberal ideologies that have historically increased inequality and economic stratification. Reform UK’s rhetoric may resonate with individuals disillusioned by the traditional parties, yet the policies it promotes would do little to improve the lives of ordinary citizens and instead reinforce existing power structures.
By promoting divisive narratives on immigration, opposing efforts to address inequality, supporting privatisation, and advocating for deregulation, Reform UK’s approach does not unify society but instead creates rifts that benefit the elite. Rather than fostering a sense of shared identity and common purpose, the party’s policies and rhetoric encourage division, turning groups against one another and obscuring the root causes of inequality. Reform UK’s allegiance to the ruling class and its divisive strategies underscore the party’s role in maintaining the status quo rather than challenging it, proving that it is not a genuine alternative but rather another force that seeks to uphold the interests of those already in power.
Therefore, while Reform UK claims to offer a fresh approach to British politics, its policies reveal a commitment to an agenda that aligns with the interests of the ruling class. Its economic policies, stance on immigration, and positions on social issues serve to deepen societal divides and maintain existing power structures rather than foster unity. Reform UK’s tactics and proposals do not address the needs of the working class or promote a cohesive society; rather, they serve as a tool for the elite to consolidate their power. The party’s rhetoric of division, under the guise of populism and patriotism, ultimately exposes it as another ruling-class entity, reinforcing the inequalities and divisions it claims to oppose. Reform UK is thus not a party of unity or reform, but rather a vehicle for deepening social fractures and perpetuating a system that benefits the few at the expense of the many.
