Letters: My middle-class, lifelong Labour-voting friends are turning to Reform UK

A diehard Labour voter writes to Big Issue about the disillusionment among her and her middle-class, leftwing friends towards this government, almost one year in to their tenure.

Labour left us politically homeless

I had two extraordinary conversations this week. Both were with friends who, like me, were active Labour Youth participants in our teens, in the 1980s – who have voted Labour all their lives; who I simply cannot imagine voting any other way. 

Both these friends, independently of each other, told me they will be voting Reform at the next general election. One somewhat hesitantly, not to say shamefacedly, the other angry and unashamed. Both voiced the same reasons. That Labour’s first action upon taking power was to means-test the winter fuel payment; at the same time as their first scandal hit: Labour frontbenchers accepting the dubious largesse of Lord Alli, en masse.

That since then they have brought forward policies which did not appear in their manifesto; in fact belied the promises therein – policies which have attacked businesses and charities (NIC), family farms, the WASPI women, free speech and finally – fatally – the disabled. The strength and depth of anger from these friends took me by surprise. Nobody can have failed to notice this government is unpopular: but for two nice, middle-class, lifelong Labour supporters to be this furious was extremely shocking. But I don’t blame them – I agree with them. The lies and failure to listen have made me equally angry. 

I don’t know how I shall vote next. But it definitely won’t be for Labour. And if they reduce my disability
benefits by the amount proposed, I may not be around for the next election anyway. Unfortunately, that is not an outlandish possibility. 

Christine, by email 

Life and death

There is no safeguarding in place under the current system, with Labour government policies that are already in legislation putting wellbeing and lives at risk. There have been too many lives lost already. One life is too many. 

Sandra Knowles, Facebook

Hello, stranger

We are all descended from immigrants. If my ancestors arrived 100 years before yours, that doesn’t make me better, or more talented, than you. Every immigrant has talent. 

Instead of taking the lazy route of condemning them all, find out what they can do. Workers pay tax: if they aren’t allowed to work, they can’t contribute. Island of strangers? And what is wrong with that?

Rose King, Cromer 

Read more:

• Would reversing winter fuel payment cuts be enough to restore trust in Labour?
• ‘Labour needs to be more scared of us than Reform’: Zack Polanski on how the Greens can outflank Farage
• In Nigel we trust! How I learned to stop worrying and love Reform UK

Beaten path

Some of the scenes for The Salt Path were filmed in Cornwall, where I live. Despite new homes being built out of Truro and Liskeard, properties which are wheelchair accessible, for example, are
virtually zero. 

A quick search I did recently and a couple of phone calls, I only found less than 20 suitable properties in the whole of Cornwall. Some were to buy and, again, how many incomes within the disability community are high enough to buy a house or flat?  

The views across Whitsand Bay are incredible. But like other parts of Cornwall it hides its social problems very, very well. Hopefully, The Salt Path will shine a light on rural homelessness and remove the stigma (there is already too much stigma out there, towards disability and anyone who is different and not like you).

Christopher, Cornwall

Reactions to: Nearly half of Brits only £100 away from being overdue on their rent or mortgage

My rent is about to increase by £125 a month. Can’t wait to see how I’m gonna manage that on my own! I’ll obviously just cut out my weekly Costa visits and I’ll be fine…

Lisa Key, Facebook

If wages matched inflation, the average wage would be £100,000. I think the average house price was £25,000 in the 80s and the wages were £13,000, so houses have gone up 10 times while the wages have doubled, and funnily enough the only people whose wages increased with inflation are the gangsters running Westminster.

Bernie Burke, Facebook

I live hand to mouth. Day before pay day, I’m lucky if there is more than £10 in my account. Everyday living is tough if you’re a regular working person.

@Sarah_irwin_0123, Instagram

At the median wage, missing one day of work costs more than this after tax, and about a day and a half at minimum wage. Basically, half the country would be left unable to cover their rent/mortgage if they just get a 24-hour stomach bug.

u/-Murton-, Reddit

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