Political analyst Sir John Curtice highlights the emerging challenge Reform UK poses to the Conservative Party, as it begins to siphon off Tory votes ahead of the general election. Meanwhile, Sadiq Khan gears up for a tightened mayoral race in London.
Sir John Curtice has issued a warning to the Conservative Party about the growing support for Richard Tice’s Reform UK, suggesting it poses a risk to the Tories’ performance in the upcoming general election. He noted that Reform UK is attracting votes from the Conservative base, potentially causing the party to lose seats. This was evident in a recent by-election in Wellingborough, where Reform UK’s deputy leader, Ben Habib, garnered 13% of the vote. Currently, polls show Reform UK’s support averaging around 12%, with the party particularly targeting Tory-held seats. This surge in popularity for Reform UK introduces a new challenge for the Conservatives, as they now face competition from both the political right and their traditional rivals.
In a separate development, London Mayor Sadiq Khan is preparing for a challenging re-election campaign under the new first-past-the-post voting system, despite leading in opinion polls. Facing his third term, Khan’s bid comes amid changing political dynamics in London, with crime, housing, and the effects of Brexit and COVID-19 among top concerns for voters. His rival, Conservative Susan Hall, is capitalizing on the demand for increased police funding. Khan’s alignment with the national Labour stance and critiques of his campaign strategy are seen as potential vulnerabilities. While experts anticipate a victory for Khan in the May election, they caution it might not be as substantial as previously thought, signaling a potentially tighter race for the mayoralty of London.
