Dear John,

We are a couple of weeks away from the first Parliamentary by-election of this government in Runcorn and Helsby. It may an area you’re unfamiliar with, but if Reform UK win there, then that’s a problem for us all.

Last week, I commented on my visit to Runcorn reflecting a growing national sentiment towards politics and politicians - ‘they’re all the same’, ‘they only care about themselves’, ‘they do nothing for me’. People there see this Labour government led by Keir Starmer as a mere extension of their predecessors - and that angers them.

However, beyond feelings of disillusionment, and disdain for Labour, there were clear signs of the messaging peddled by Reform and Nigel Farage cutting through in Runcorn.

The three key ‘pulls’ of Reform, as I could see, are as follows:

1. Strong support for Reform’s immigration ‘policy’

Well, it’s not really a policy, so much as a mantra. But whatever you want to call it - people in Runcorn believe Reform are the only party serious about resolving what they see as Britain’s single biggest issue: immigration.

Unfortunately, instead of reasonable political discourse around immigration, people are repeating Reform attack lines about ‘illegals’ arriving on ‘small boats’ and being brought ashore – where they’re supposedly being given better living conditions than British citizens.

These are not discussions about legal immigration and labour markets. It’s a perception of immigration as a problem that begins in the Channel, and ends in the breakdown of the fabric of our ‘British’ communities. No room for nuance or facts that contradict the narrative.

‘Multiculturalism’? Failing. ‘British values’? Fading. ‘Our country’? Gone.

Runcorn shows where Britain currently finds itself on the immigration issue. A reasonable debate about legal immigration has been sidelined - in favour of hate-fuelled, Trump-inspired talk about illegal immigration. And that is music to the ears of Farage.

2. Belief Reform is ‘different’

Dissatisfaction with our established political parties has rarely, if ever, been greater than it is today. Rationally, you would think Reform needs to demonstrate its credentials to govern Britain - but, maybe, it just needs to exist.

Whether we like it or not, something about Reform is sticking with people right now. Based on my discussions in Runcorn, I think the following are all potential factors:

• It’s new - feels ‘fresh’.

• It’s not seen as part of the Westminster establishment - it’s more of a national movement than a party.

• They’re not ‘career politicians’ - they’ve got candidates with ‘life experience’, and some (borderline) ‘celebrities’ behind them.

How true these points are is another matter. But, for now, as long as people believe the facade of Farage, Tice, and this band of chancers - that’s all that counts. Win votes now, face scrutiny later.

3. Farage being Farage

Based on his political career, the things he says, and commitment to serving the British people - most of us would struggle to understand how anyone has any faith in Nigel Farage to lead our country.

However, despite Brexit lies and Russia ties, many believe this man has the best interests of ordinary people at heart - more so than other politicians anyways. Yes - the same Farage who has spent more time in Mar-a-Lago than in Clacton.

But beyond the politics, it is clear people are drawn to Farage. They see him as ‘our mate Nigel’, who likes to pull a pint and crack a joke. He’s not a ‘career politician’ - yes - the same Farage who lost eight Parliamentary elections.

For many of us, that masquerade just doesn’t stand up to basic scrutiny.

So - what are we doing about all of this?

Clearly, Reform’s growing popularity is not just a consequence of Tory and Labour failure. A broken political system has given opportunists a chance to cash in.

We know that these chancers and their lies, on immigration or otherwise, are not the answer. Nor is giving up on democracy altogether.

With your support, Open Britain is leading the fight back:

• We’re educating people about their democratic rights - and how to hold politicians accountable.

• We’re pushing for tighter campaign finance reform - so we can see who the true backers of Reform are.

• We’re demanding stronger laws to take on the big tech platforms - to clamp down on the disinformation and conspiracies which fuel the far-right

We will continue to warn people about the real threat of the far-right, making it clear that Farage and Reform are taking advantage of people let down by politics - not taking action to help them.

Our work is urgent. Runcorn is proof of this. And we need your support to fund the fight.

Many thanks for standing with us.

All the best,

James Patrick

Campaigns and Content Officer

Open Britain