What is driving Reform voters?

For the avoidance of doubt Keir Starmer did not say that Reform's voters or leaders were racist, merely that some of its policies are.

Probably most Reform voters or prospective voters are driven by frustration over the cost of living (especially for basics such as food or energy which hit the poorest harder) or the deterioration in public services.   The mainstream parties are perceived as being unable to tackle these issues.

A small minority are racist, attracted from other movements, and rather more could be described as xenophobic in the sense that they dislike or are prejudiced against those from other countries.   Again some of them might argue that they are simply against uncontrolled migration, especially when it is illegal.

What does concern me is that there appears to be a growth in intolerance of difference and that more people think it is ok to use racist, sexist or homophobic language.

For example, here in Warwickshire the Reform controlled county council has secured its policy to ban the flying of pride flags from County Hall (with the support of the Conservatives).    One might say that that is merely symbolic, except that nothing in politics is merely symbolic, especially when it comes to the display of flags.

The LGBTQ movement in Warwickshire has stated that not only was their Pride festival vandalised (admittedly not for the first time), but there has been an increase in homophobic conduct.   It's not so long ago that male homosexuality was a crime.  Sexual identity is a personal matter.  As Trudeau Snr. said, the state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation.

Andy Burnham's self promotion as a prime ministerial candidate simply gives fuel to the right-wing media and its running dogs such as Chris Mason and allows Labour to be portrayed as a divided party.  Yes, he has been a good mayor of Manchester, but Boris Johnson seemed to be quite a good Mayor of London or at least performed the role well (most of his better ideas came from his deputy and his aides). The King of the North should stay in his realm.

Labour, meanwhile, needs to improve on the 'vision thing', but above all delivery.