The overwhelming mandate for the Left-of-Centre Labour Party in the recent UK general election stands out, especially considering the rise of right-wing parties across Europe. However, the Labour Party's impressive win with 412 seats in the 650-member Parliament does not necessarily signal a resurgence of the Left.
As the Labour Party revels in its victory and the Conservatives mourn their worst-ever performance, much attention is focused on Nigel Farage. Farage has led his right-wing party, Reform UK, to become the third-largest in the UK by vote share, securing 14.3% of the votes, which contrasts sharply with Labour's sweep of the polls, where Labour managed to increase its vote share by just 1.7%.
The future of UK politics and policies will largely hinge on whether the Conservatives choose to align with Farage and Reform UK.
NIGEL FARAGE, THE SURPRISE STAR OF THE UK ELECTION
Nigel Farage, once a leading figure in the Brexit movement, was considered to have faded into political obscurity after Brexit was accomplished. However, his recent return to the political scene with a strong anti-immigration stance has significantly altered the landscape. In just five weeks, Farage and Reform UK have managed to erode the Conservative vote base.
While exit polls predicted Reform UK would win nearly a dozen seats, the party ended up with five. Despite this, their 14.3% vote share surprised many, especially considering the Liberal Democrats, who won 71 seats, had a vote share of 12.2%.
For Farage, this election marked his first electoral success since he began his political career in 1994. His victory on his eighth attempt reflects a broader shift in global politics. "Farage entered the election only just a couple of weeks ago and he has really blown it up," said Rosa Prince, deputy UK editor of Politico, to CNN. She noted that Farage's policies resonate with parts of the electorate, similar to the dynamics seen in other countries like France.
British politics is not immune to global trends where immigration concerns dominate, leading to a shift away from the Left.
HOW LABOUR AND CONSERVATIVES SHIFTED RIGHT
Tony Blair once reoriented the Labour Party towards the Centre. Jeremy Corbyn later attempted to bring the party back to its leftist roots but failed, as evidenced by Labour's poor performance in the 2019 election and Corbyn's ouster in May 2024. A Washington Post profile of Keir Starmer noted that despite his leftist beginnings, he has effectively removed the leftist elements from the Labour Party, aligning it more with centrist and capitalist values. Under Starmer, Labour has firmly positioned itself as a centrist party.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives have shifted further to the right. In a bid to stem their losses, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak adopted some of Farage's rhetoric on immigration, warning that illegal immigrants were poised to enter the UK under a Labour government.
RISE OF THE RIGHT, NOT THE LEFT, IN THE UK
In contrast to Labour's centrist position, the right wing continues to gain momentum. Across the English Channel, Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally is rising in France. Although French President Emmanuel Macron might fend off the challenge with a coalition, Le Pen's party is expected to become the largest in France.
In the United States, Donald Trump, an ally of Farage, is poised for a potential second presidential term. Trump and Farage have maintained a close relationship since 2016, with Farage even speaking at Trump’s campaign rallies. Trump recently congratulated Farage on his electoral success, emphasizing their ongoing alliance.Â
In summary, while Labour's victory is significant, the broader trend across the UK and Europe suggests a strengthening of right-wing politics, as seen with Farage's rise and the shifting dynamics within both the Labour and Conservative parties.
