Since the rise of Reform UK, formerly known as the Brexit Party, the political landscape has been rife with debates about its ideological roots. For many, the party represents little more than a Thatcherite tribute act, harking back to the policies of Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s first female Prime Minister, whose tenure from 1979 to 1990 reshaped the UK’s economic and social fabric. While Thatcherism remains a polarising force, revered by some and reviled by others, its legacy over the past 45 years has left an indelible mark on the UK; one that Reform UK seems determined to revive, for better or worse.
The Thatcherite Playbook
Thatcherism was defined by its commitment to free-market economics, deregulation, privatisation, and a reduction in the role of the state. Thatcher’s government dismantled large swathes of Britain’s industrial base, curbed the power of trade unions, and sold off nationalised industries, from British Telecom to British Gas. The mantra of “rolling back the state” was accompanied by tax cuts for the wealthy, austerity for public services, and a belief in individualism over collective responsibility.
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage and later Richard Tice, has consistently championed similar policies. The party advocates for lower taxes, reduced government spending, and a bonfire of regulations to “unshackle” British businesses. Its rhetoric often echoes Thatcher’s famous assertion that “there is no alternative” to free-market capitalism. Yet, while Thatcherism emerged in response to the economic stagnation of the 1970s, Reform UK’s policies appear less a solution to contemporary problems and more a nostalgic rehash of a bygone era.
The Decimation of the UK
The impact of Thatcherite policies over the past 45 years is a subject of fierce debate, but there is no denying that they have profoundly shaped the UK, often with devastating consequences.
- Deindustrialisation and Regional Inequality
Thatcher’s dismantling of Britain’s industrial base left entire communities in the North, Scotland, and Wales economically hollowed out. The closure of coal mines, steelworks, and factories destroyed livelihoods and created long-term unemployment. While London and the South East thrived as financial hubs, regional inequality deepened, creating a divide that persists to this day. Reform UK’s emphasis on deregulation and free markets risks exacerbating this imbalance, offering little to those outside the wealthiest enclaves. - Privatisation and the Erosion of Public Services
The privatisation of utilities, transport, and housing under Thatcher has had lasting repercussions. Today, the UK’s rail network is fragmented and expensive, water companies are plagued by underinvestment and environmental scandals, and social housing is in chronic short supply. Reform UK’s calls for further privatisation and reduced state intervention ignore the failures of these policies, which have often prioritised profit over public good. - Austerity and Social Fragmentation
Thatcher’s emphasis on shrinking the state laid the groundwork for the austerity measures introduced by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition in 2010. Cuts to public services, welfare, and local government funding have left the NHS underfunded, schools overcrowded, and councils struggling to provide basic services. Reform UK’s commitment to lower taxes and reduced public spending suggests a continuation of this approach, despite the social and economic toll it has taken. - The Cult of Individualism
Thatcher’s infamous declaration that “there is no such thing as society” epitomised her belief in individualism. While this ethos empowered some, it eroded the sense of collective responsibility that underpins the welfare state. Reform UK’s policies, which often prioritise personal freedom over social cohesion, risk further fragmenting a society already grappling with inequality and division.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
— Chris Williamson (@DerbyChrisW) March 21, 2025
Starmer's Labour Party has led Britain into a state of moral turpitude, but @reformparty_uk isn't the answer. They're just a Thatcherite tribute act. But a real alternative is available. pic.twitter.com/lCx0XzqRFM
A Tribute Act Out of Time
Reform UK’s Thatcherite policies may appeal to those who yearn for the perceived certainty of the 1980s, but the world has moved on. The challenges of the 21st century’ climate change, technological disruption, and global inequality, require bold, innovative solutions, not a retreat to the past. Thatcherism may have been a response to the crises of its time, but its uncritical revival risks repeating the mistakes of history.
Moreover, the UK’s current economic woes, stagnant wages, a cost-of-living crisis, and crumbling public services, are, in many ways, the legacy of Thatcherite policies. To double down on these ideas, as Reform UK proposes, is to ignore the lessons of the past 45 years.
In summary, Reform UK’s Thatcherite tribute act may resonate with some, but it is a dangerous anachronism in a world that demands fresh thinking. The decimation wrought by Thatcherism, deindustrialisation, privatisation, austerity, and social fragmentation, has left scars that are still healing. To return to these policies is not to learn from history, but to repeat its worst excesses. The UK deserves better than a nostalgic rerun of the 1980s; it deserves a vision for the future that addresses the challenges of today, rather than clinging to the failures of the past.
