Labour MP says government must change course

A Labour MP has said the government "absolutely has to" change course following sweeping gains for Reform UK in England's local elections.

Rachael Maskell, the MP for York Central, said policies introduced by the government which had not been in its manifesto had forced voters "to look elsewhere".

Reform won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, took control of 10 councils and won mayoral contests in Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire. In Scarborough, the party won a landslide victory in a town council election.

Following the results, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his government needed to "go further and faster on the change people want to see".

Speaking on the BBC's Politics North show earlier, Maskell said: "Policies that have been introduced since July that weren't in our manifesto – the cuts to winter fuel, not honouring the Waspi women [and] taking away the vital lifeline of support for disabled people – of course people are confused.

"If we are not there serving people as they expect us to and as is our duty, then of course they are going to look elsewhere."

In March, Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out planned cuts to benefits, including disability payments, aimed at reducing the growing amount the UK spends on welfare.

The government said the measures would save around £5bn a year by the end of 2030 and get more people into work.

Maskell said Labour was still the party of the working class, but called on the leadership to ensure that the "connection" with voters was "remade".

The proposed cuts to social security would have a "massive impact on people, leaving" them in poverty" and "forcing many people into poorer mental health", she said.

"We absolutely need to stop these reforms, which Labour are trying to progress, and ensure that we now reflect on the real things that are going to make a difference."

The Department for Work and Pensions previously said it was creating a "sustainable welfare system" which would help support sick and disabled people, "break down barriers, unlock work, boost living standards and grow the economy".

Maskell said getting people back into work was "a good thing", but "vital protection" had to be provided for those who could not work.

"They're the kind of policies that Number 10 and Number 11 now need to pursue, as opposed to taking the pennies out of the pockets of the poorest," she added.

Maskell said Labour was doing some "brilliant things", including "providing more secure employment", bringing the railways back into national ownership and getting rid of "waste in the system".

But she warned: "We mustn't ruin it with all of these poor decisions that are being made."

Speaking after the results of Thursday's elections were announced, Sir Keir said his party had been elected in to "deliver change" and had "started that change", with waiting lists down, wages up and interests rates down.

Writing in The Times, he insisted there was "tangible proof that things are finally beginning to go in the right direction", although he said he was not satisfied with where the country was.

"I am acutely aware that people aren't yet feeling the benefits," he added. "Until they do, I will wake up every morning determined to go further and faster."

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