UK risks generation of socialism if you vote Reform, Tories say as they warn Labour will change rules to stay in power
LABOUR’s plot for a 20-year rule must be stopped or Britain risks a generation of socialism, the Tories have warned.
Cabinet Minister Mark Harper this morning insisted Labour wants to manipulate the electoral system in their favour.
He urged voters not to “get it wrong” at this election.
It is the latest of a series of warnings over the prospect of Sir Keir Starmer enjoying “unchecked” power if the polls prove to be right on July 4.
The Tories argue Labour could stay in power for two decades if the party sweeps to a “supermajority” fuelled by Tory voters turning to Nigel Farage‘s Reform party.
On the same day Reform launched its manifesto, a Tory spokesman said: “Labour are already planning to lower the voting age to 16, and we can expect votes for migrants, EU citizens and prisoners to follow.
“So a vote for Reform won’t mean five years of Labour, it would mean a generation. If you’re thinking about voting for Reform, and a generation under Labour scares you, there’s only one way to prevent it: vote Conservative.”
Reiterating the comments today, Mr Harper told Times Radio: “There are people out there who have serious concerns about what a Labour government will do, about how they will tax working people up and down the country and, of course, how if we get a Labour government they could be there for a very long time.
“Because of course they will change the voting system, they will make sure that they give votes to 16 year-olds, they have talked about giving votes to foreign nationals, to EU nationals… we could end up with a Labour government for 20 years if we get this wrong at this general election.
“That is why we are out there fighting for every single vote right up to polling day.”
Sir Keir has pledged to give voting rights to 16 year-olds but has ruled out extending the franchise to EU nationals and foreign nationals.
The Tories also claimed Labour would scrap inheritance tax exemptions for farmers who wanted to pass their land onto their children, warning that this could put Britain’s food security in danger.
They also attacked Labour’s position on council tax after two Shadow Cabinet Ministers contradicted themselves on it.
Jonathan Ashworth told Sky News that “we’re not doing council tax re-banding’ but later Darren Jones, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, said the party had “no plan” to change council tax rates.
Labour slammed the Tory claims as “a hysterical, desperate attempt from a Conservative campaign in chaos” to distract from holes in their own tax cut plans.
ANALYSIS: Stuff of nightmares
By Ryan Sabey, Deputy Political Editor
Labour winning a ‘super majority’ at the election is giving the Tory party nightmares.
Sir Keir Starmer could be heading back to the Commons with a majority of 416 seats if one weekend poll is to be believed.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps says he fears there could a real lack of accountability from other parties if they are destroyed.
The Tories have described this as a “blank cheque” approach which would allow Labour to pass whatever legislation they want.
Polling has shown the Tories could win less than 100 seats and this could mean they won’t be an effective opposition.
There could literally not be enough people to fill all the shadow positions for the next Tory leader.
Miriam Cates says Labour may even create “constitutional vandalism” by being given such a majority.
She fears a new Labour government would take even more power out of the hands of Westminster and giving it to technocrats and the civil service if given the chance.
The talk of a super majority also speaks to another predicament the Tories find themselves in.
Concern is growing within Tory circles that they will receive an almighty hiding from the electorate on July 4.
Look at how the language has changed in recent weeks.
Rishi Sunak told The Sun at the start of the campaign that he was eyeing up an election win and England would win the Euros.
That now seems like a pipedream.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has been touring the TV and radio stations this morning telling voters not to hand Sir Keir Starmer a “blank cheque”.
He told the public that Labour shouldn’t be given “unchecked” power especially when their plans are vague.
He put on a brave face telling Times Radio saying there was still “everything to fight for”.
The seats both parties have been visiting tell their own story.
On Monday, I visited Horsham in West Sussex, which has a 21,000 Tory majority.
Sir Keir Starmer has visited Monmouthshire which features way down the list of Labour target seats.
For Labour are on the attack and for the Tories it appears to be a damage limitation exercise.