3 hours ago
5
The most worrying factor in the devastating result for Labour in Caerphilly is that its roots stretch further back than the election of Keir Starmer’s government in 2024. According to YouGov, in 2019, 52% of the electorate under the age of 40 voted for a Labour party led by Jeremy Corbyn. This is not because they were “looney lefties”, but because they were likely seeking something to deal with the “British crisis” that you identify in your editorial (The Guardian view on the Caerphilly byelection: Labour’s collapse in its Welsh heartland signals a wider loss, 24 October). The populism of Corbynism was not the answer to the country’s malaise, but rather a symptom of it. Nigel Farage realised this, and until those controlling the direction of Labour do likewise, its decline will continue.
Colin Burke
Cartmel, Cumbria
You appear to have assumed that because Reform didn’t win in Caerphilly that immigration must not have been an important issue. In fact, there are many voters for whom immigration is important but who reject the xenophobia of Reform UK, the Tories and Labour. This would seem to be just as plausible an explanation for both Reform’s failure to win and the collapse in support for Labour.
Daniel Owen
Torrington, Devon
The prime minister’s advisers will doubtless react to the Caerphilly result with more of the same Reform-lite policies that have caused support for the government to crash. A reset is needed, including no more back-room deals with property developers and lobbyists, respect for environmental concerns, democratic oversight of infrastructure development, restoration of our protest rights and a halt to City deregulation. Above all, Labour should put the country above petty party tribalism and work with others to agree a liberal consensus against the dangers of the far right and big tech.
Paul Keeling
Welling, Kent
Given the Reform UK leader’s habit of disappearing from view whenever an election result doesn’t go his party’s way (Reform swaggered into Caerphilly, ready for a coronation. An unpleasant surprise lay in store, 24 October), should we start referring to him as Nigel Mirage?
Tony Mabbott
Rotherham, South Yorkshire
