Sir Keir Starmer is obsessed with Reform UK . Taking on Nigel Farage is the Prime Minister’s No 1 political priority.

Sometimes, this involves drawing a stark contrast with the right-wing populists – as when Labour points to Farage’s previous support for a privatised NHS.

Sometimes, it means moving onto Reform’s turf, talking tough on immigration and benefits to win over conservative-minded voters – what some critics dismiss as “trying to out-Farage Farage”.

The cause of this obsession is no mystery. Reform is riding high in public opinion – it claims that it has led in the last 100 published polls. Facing the party head on is a must for Starmer’s future.

But moving to the right comes with big downsides. Not only is there the threat posed by the Greens and Jeremy Corbyn’s as-y

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