Exclusive: Pressure group set up by MPs from seats where Reform came second amid concern about party’s rise

Labour MPs whose seats are under threat from Reform UK have set up a pressure group that will urge Keir Starmer to take a tougher stance on migration and crime, amid growing concern about the rise of the rightwing populist party.

MPs drawn from the 89 constituencies where Reform came second at last year’s election have established an informal caucus focused on how to defeat Nigel Farage’s party, which came top in a major national poll for the first time this week.