A health minister has insisted that the Bedfordians who choose to back Reform UK at the general election are “not racist” – but said some of the party’s policies are “deeply xenophobic” and exploit people’s fears.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) amid a political storm over Sir Keir Starmer’s comments at Labour’s annual conference this week, Ashley Dalton, parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department of Health and Social Care, said it was wrong to label Reform voters as racist.
“The Prime Minister was really clear about that. He did not say that Reform voters are racists, and I don’t believe that Reform voters are racists,” she said.
“What he did say is that some of the policies that Reform are bringing through… do have elements of racism in them. It’s quite clear that a lot of the policies they’re bringing through are deeply xenophobic.
“Reform want to take people’s fears, people’s vulnerabilities, and exploit them to their own ends by giving them somebody to blame and by ‘othering’ groups of people.”
The row erupted after Keir Starmer said at Labour’s conference that Reform UK’s plan to scrap indefinite leave to remain was a “racist policy”.
He added, “I do think it is a racist policy. I do think it is immoral. It needs to be called out for what it is.”
The prime minister later clarified he was not accusing Reform voters of being racist.
Scapegoating
In Bedford, Reform UK received 4,548 votes at July’s general election. The party drew support from voters frustrated with mainstream parties over issues such as housing, the NHS, and migration.
Ms Dalton said Labour recognises those concerns but wants to offer serious answers rather than scapegoating.
“People have got real issues. They’re concerned about whether their kids can get a house, whether they can see a GP, whether they can get their operation done,” she said.
“People aren’t racist – people are concerned. We need serious politicians to take those people seriously, not just give them easy answers and blame a group of people.”
Asked how Labour plans to win over Reform voters without simply criticising their party, Ms Dalton pointed to the government’s long-term investment plans and its vision of “a fairer Britain built for everybody”.
She highlighted Labour’s Pride of Place and Pride of Neighbourhood funds, worth £20 million over ten years for some of the country’s most deprived communities, including decisions made by local people rather than politicians.
She also cited efforts to cut NHS waiting lists, introduce free breakfast clubs in schools, and build 1.5 million new homes to tackle the housing crisis.
“There’s an awful lot this government is building towards. Admittedly, it’s going to take time,” Dalton said.
“But this week at party conference, we set out what a Labour government does and the difference it makes, from saving British Steel jobs to working towards economic growth. That’s what this Labour Party is about.”
Reform UK was approached for a comment, but did not respond at the time of publication.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
