Once again, it seems a fringe party is threatening to dictate Conservative policy – or to tip the Tories out of government.

This time it isn’t UKIP, or the Brexit Party, but Reform UK that is calling the tune, according to the Financial Times:

Why does a party polling between 6 and 8 per cent matter? The UK electoral system is heavily loaded against minor parties and will ensure Reform UK remains insignificant as a Westminster force.

The answer is that minor parties can exert significant sway if they threaten to siphon votes from the major parties. The Brexit referendum sprang from the Conservatives’ fear of the UK Independence party. The Tories have seen the cost to Labour of its vote being split between various progressive parties and take great efforts not to be outflanked on the right… Tories fear even a small Reform UK vote could cost them seats.

The party’s analysis of Tory failings — taxes too high, Covid-19 lockdowns too oppressive, immigration policies too weak, Brexit betrayed and insufficient prosecution of the culture war — appeals to the Conservative right’s critique of Sunak and the outlook of party members who elected Liz Truss.

This is Reform UK’s significance. It depicts one possible future for the Tories and its old-time religion is well received in many Tory circles and promoted by media allies.

If the Conservatives lose the next election — and perhaps even if they don’t — the battle for its future direction will be heavily influenced by those who are attracted by Reform UK’s agenda of tax cuts, resistance to net zero, curbing immigration, leaving the European Convention of Human Rights and its attacks on “woke” ideology.

Would you like a taste of what this means?

It means letting people like this influence the UK’s direction of political travel:

How do you fancy that?

Source: Britain’s tiny Tea Party casts a big shadow | Financial Times

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