Rachel Reeves highlights missing Nigel Farage as she brands Reform UK a ‘Tory tribute act’

Politics
3 Mar 2026 • 9:20 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • The chancellor is carrying on the tactic of taking on Reform UK more than the “failed” Tories in this Spring Statement.
  • Rachel Reeves joked about “the member for Clacton” (Nigel Farage) not being in the chamber and dismissed Reform as “a Tory tribute act”.
  • Looking towards Reform UK’s MPS, she said: “The Tories have said they would reinstate that destructive policy and now Reform are saying exactly the same thing. Two parties united in their intention to plunge nearly half a million children back into poverty in a single stroke.
  • She added: “If you import failed Tory politicians you get failed Tory policies too. Labour and only Labour has the right economic plan for families and for our country.”
  • Rachel Reeves pledged to rebuild Britain’s credibility, as she told the Commons “if we stick to our plan” there could be an additional £15 billion a year “for the priorities of working people”.

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