Next test for old and new political parties comes next year, with the local council elections

The next big test for the political parties comes next May with the local council elections. At present, things seem to be changing by the week in the political lexicon. The Labour government seems to be struggling, despite its huge majority. Many of its problems come from a failure to communicate what it is about and what it is doing. There is no clear narrative, yet many good things are going on. This vacuum is being filled by other parties. So, by contrast, there is a media fascination with Reform UK. It is hard to believe that this party has just five MPs. This contrasts with the Independents, who have the same number and the Greens with four. Arguably, Reform get more coverage than the Liberal Democrats, with it's 72 MPs. Much ofcourse is to do with Reforms continual high ratings in the opinion polls that indicate it could be the next government. But that election is still four years away. Some in the media claim they are providing scrutiny of Reform, whilst others just see Nigel Farage and his party as good box office, always ready with a catchy soundbite. Reform are certainly playing the system, announcing policies as if a general election is imminent. The electorate would, though, do well to look at what is going on in those areas, where Reform are now running things, as well as in America, where the chaos being created by Donald Trump's administration is a forerunner of what would be likely to happen here if Reform ever do become the national government. On the left, there is the emergence of the new party led by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and fellow MP Zara Sultana. The principles outlined, with emphasis on addressing poverty and inequality and opposing war are more in line with the original principals of the Labour Party. Indeed, the Labour Party should beware the threat it faces from the left, via the likes of the new party, the Greens and Liberal Democrats. All of these changes in the political landscape mean the upcoming local elections are likely to see some major power shifts in the political scene. In Redbridge Labour hold 54, seats, the Conservatives five with four Independents. Recent by-elections highlight the threat posed by the Independents, with Reform also likely to have more of a day this time. For my own part, I have decided that after eight years, I won't be standing for the Labour Party in Redbridge next May. But more on that in due course.