Wes Streeting Calls Reform UK 'Real Threat' to Labour After Local Election Gains

Following a series of local election victories, Reform UK is now viewed as a 'real threat' and a serious opposition force to Labour, according to Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, gained control of 10 councils, secured over 600 seats, and narrowly won a by-election from Labour, signaling a significant realignment on the right of British politics. Streeting and other Labour figures acknowledge the pressure this places on both Labour and the Conservatives, noting that it is not yet clear whether Reform or the Conservatives will be the main challenger at the next general election. Some Labour MPs argue for a change in strategy in response to Reform's rise, while Conservative leaders recognize voter frustration as a factor in Reform's success. The surge has prompted calls across the political spectrum for increased scrutiny of Reform UK's policies and more airtime for the party as it emerges as a significant opposition force. Both Labour and the Conservatives are now reassessing their approaches in light of this political shift.