The way to counter Reform is not to become more like them

The surge in popularity of the Reform Party is a sign of a general disillusion with the mainstream parties. Reform triumphed in the recent local and regional elections as well as taking the constituency of Runcorn and Helsby from Labour. They look set to eclipse the Conservative Party, if the present direction of travel continues. Worryingly, the two main parties seem to have decided the way to confront Reform is to become more like them. For example, both parties seem keen to vilify migrants. The hope must be that now Reform actually have to run some councils and regional government, they will be exposed. They will learn that negative rhetoric about Low Emission Neighbourhoods and diversity officers in authorities that don't have either cuts little ice in government. The huge costs of providing child and adult social care and housing the homeless, on the other hand, whilst working with reduced budgets, offers a far greater challenge. Both of these needs are statutory requirements for local authorities, so not even Nigel Farage's disciples can dodge the requirement. It has to be hoped that the British electorate do not swallow the reactionary rhetoric of Reform in the same way as the Americans have the mantra of Donald Trump. In the end, if the cutting does not stop the services simply cannot be provided and cease to exist. This is a stark reality that is beginning to hit home in America. Better not to follow that path. But the disillusion of the electorate that is seeing the surge in support for Reform needs to be addressed. The seeds of the present crisis were sown by David Cameron's Conservatives, assisted by it's Liberal Democrat coalition partners, who brought in austerity policies. As a result, millions have hardly seen their wages rise in real terms for over a decade. Public services like the NHS, education, transport and the police have been starved of resources Some clever media and political manipulation managed to convince many people that Europe and migrants were to blame. Enter Brexit. We are all now poorer and the problems are worse.Yet, still we don't seem to learn, the architects of Brexit, were the forerunners of Reform. What is needed is to grow the economy in a sustainable way, ensuring that the fruits of people's labour flows to everyone not just a few. The creation of a more just, equal, functioning society is the way to address Reform, not becoming more like them.