Phil Tate and Keeley Cavendish on what Labour needs to do to take on Nigel Farage’s party

Voters who are attracted to Reform UK – the poorer ones, not the millionaires who control the party – are concerned about the cost of living and immigration and its effects on employment, GP appointments, etc (‘I like Nigel Farage’: Runcorn and Helsby byelection could be big test for Starmer, 15 March). Some have decided to take a punt on Reform UK as they feel they have nothing to lose and it is the only party offering an alternative.

That alternative should be Labour, but with its refusal to discuss immigration in a meaningful way, its apparent desire to recreate austerity, to cut benefits for ill and disabled people, having already cut the winter fuel allowance, and its refusal to raise money by cutting tax allowances for the rich, the party seems to have ruled itself out.