Reform UK begins its annual party conference in Birmingham today facing a question. Can it be taken seriously as a political force, and not a general expression of voter disgruntlement?
We’ve heard a lot about Labour’s big-but-thin majority, but Reform’s result was even more dispersed. Four million people – 14.3 per cent of the electorate – backed them, but in small increments across the country. None of Reform’s MPs has a majority of more than 10,000. James McMurdock won South Basildon and East Thurrock by 98 votes.
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