Former Conservative adviser Lauren McEvatt has described Reform UK as becoming a "real force" in British politics, particularly in Wales and Scotland.
Speaking to GB News, McEvatt said Reform is putting "real, real pressure on Labour" ahead of elections in both nations next year.
The comments come after Keir Starmer launched a scathing attack on Reform UK at the Scottish Labour Conference in Glasgow, condemning the party's stance on workers' rights and the NHS.
"They talk the language of worker rights online and on the doorstep but they've voted against banning fire and rehire," Starmer told conference delegates.
In one of his strongest criticisms, Starmer accused Reform UK of "fawning over Putin" while claiming to be "the party of patriotism".
Speaking to GB News, McEvatt explained: "I think Keir Starmer and Labour in general's views on Reform UK are fascinating.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
"Not just because of where he was in Scotland, but actually because of where both elections are happening next year, in 2026, in Wales and in Scotland, Reform is beginning to be a very real force.
"It very much looks like it's possible that they will top the polls in Wales, even beating Labour, who have historically treated Wales as a one-party state over the course of the last 25 years of devolution and Reform.
"Reform is putting real, real pressure on Labour, who are already feeling pressure because the reason that people were voting for them last year is because of the abject failure of the Conservative Party in government to get a grip on immigration.
"That was an enormous, an enormous part of the reason people fled from the Conservative Party, which, because they fled to both Reform and Labour, resulted in Labour winning such a large majority.
"Now he needs to press the point home in order to secure Labour votes in Wales and in Scotland that Labour are able to deal with the issues that Reform keeps raising.
"Which is what he's trying to get at by saying that Nigel Farage is not the answer to the issues, that he recognises our issues.
"But I would argue that as long as Ed Miliband sits in Keir Starmer's cabinet Reform is going to have a foothold in Scotland because of those North Sea jobs that Nigel Farage is talking about."
The comments came as Starmer warned conference delegates about the rise of "dangerous right-wing politics" that claims to represent working people's interests.
The Prime Minister promised to be ready for the "test" Reform UK presents and to highlight their "bluster".
Nigel Farage strongly rejected Starmer's accusations about Reform UK's NHS position.
"His comments on the NHS are completely untrue. The prime minister must be getting desperate. Under Reform UK, the NHS will always be free at the point of use," Farage responded.
The Reform UK leader criticised Starmer's policies on Scottish jobs, saying: "How dare Starmer talk to us about jobs? Scotland has lost more than 70,000 jobs linked to the North Sea as a result of government net zero policies over the past decade."
Find Out More...
Speaking to GB News, McEvatt said Reform is putting "real, real pressure on Labour" ahead of elections in both nations next year.
The comments come after Keir Starmer launched a scathing attack on Reform UK at the Scottish Labour Conference in Glasgow, condemning the party's stance on workers' rights and the NHS.
"They talk the language of worker rights online and on the doorstep but they've voted against banning fire and rehire," Starmer told conference delegates.
In one of his strongest criticisms, Starmer accused Reform UK of "fawning over Putin" while claiming to be "the party of patriotism".
Speaking to GB News, McEvatt explained: "I think Keir Starmer and Labour in general's views on Reform UK are fascinating.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Keir Starmer condemns Nigel Farage and Reform UK after surge in polls: 'They are not the answer!'
- 'How dare you!' Nigel Farage hits back at Keir Starmer as he claims PM 'getting desperate' in bid to tackle Reform
- 'He's done nothing!' Donald Trump launches scathing attack on Keir Starmer as Ukraine row spills over
"Not just because of where he was in Scotland, but actually because of where both elections are happening next year, in 2026, in Wales and in Scotland, Reform is beginning to be a very real force.
"It very much looks like it's possible that they will top the polls in Wales, even beating Labour, who have historically treated Wales as a one-party state over the course of the last 25 years of devolution and Reform.
"Reform is putting real, real pressure on Labour, who are already feeling pressure because the reason that people were voting for them last year is because of the abject failure of the Conservative Party in government to get a grip on immigration.
"That was an enormous, an enormous part of the reason people fled from the Conservative Party, which, because they fled to both Reform and Labour, resulted in Labour winning such a large majority.
"Now he needs to press the point home in order to secure Labour votes in Wales and in Scotland that Labour are able to deal with the issues that Reform keeps raising.
"Which is what he's trying to get at by saying that Nigel Farage is not the answer to the issues, that he recognises our issues.
"But I would argue that as long as Ed Miliband sits in Keir Starmer's cabinet Reform is going to have a foothold in Scotland because of those North Sea jobs that Nigel Farage is talking about."
The comments came as Starmer warned conference delegates about the rise of "dangerous right-wing politics" that claims to represent working people's interests.
The Prime Minister promised to be ready for the "test" Reform UK presents and to highlight their "bluster".
Nigel Farage strongly rejected Starmer's accusations about Reform UK's NHS position.
"His comments on the NHS are completely untrue. The prime minister must be getting desperate. Under Reform UK, the NHS will always be free at the point of use," Farage responded.
The Reform UK leader criticised Starmer's policies on Scottish jobs, saying: "How dare Starmer talk to us about jobs? Scotland has lost more than 70,000 jobs linked to the North Sea as a result of government net zero policies over the past decade."
Find Out More...