If you think immigration is the only thing powering Reform UK, you’ve not been paying attention. Many say that’s key. However, as Hope Not Hate’s latest in-depth polling shows, a significant driver is a more profound disillusionment with a political class that no longer delivers.

A growing number of voters feel mainstream parties tinker at the edges while their lives get harder. The era of patting the public on the head and protecting vested interests is over.

Labour MPs calling for stricter immigration policies to counter Reform UK are missing the point. Without a fundamental shift in who the economy and society work for, this approach won’t stem the tide. Instead, it risks handing a future election to the most right-wing government in modern British history. The real battle is over who offers meaningful change. And right now, too many feel that the answer isn’t Labour.

Reform is riding an anti-immigration wave, but there’s more to it than that. It’s exploiting the vacuum left by a political system that no longer serves the many. Labour must recognise that, or risk losing more than just votes.

The answer isn’t to emulate the right’s framing. It’s delivering real change.

Public ownership of water, so people aren’t paying billions in dividends while sewage floods their rivers. Community wealth building, so money stays local, not hoarded by distant investors.

Home retrofitting to cut energy bills, create jobs, and tackle the climate crisis. Expanding universal basic services — from transport to childcare —so people’s lives aren’t at the mercy of profiteers.

That’s the way forward, not reactionary panic over Reform UK.

People want an economy that works for them, not just for shareholders. Labour can lead on this or watch the far-right fill the gap. The choice is that simple.

Don’t take my word for it. Look at the wrecked shells of European legacy social-democratic parties across Europe that tried ‘fascism-light.’ It doesn’t work and never will.

Why have Diet Coke when you can have the real thing?