UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour’s new Facebook campaign, using Reform-style adverts to counter Reform UK’s rise, has sparked criticism from MPs and human rights groups over immigration policies.
In an effort to challenge the surge of the right-wing party, Labour has revealed a series of ads with branding and messaging similar to Reform’s.
Why is Labour using Reform-style ads and a Union flag to target voters?
Several Facebook ads, created by a group named UK Migration Updates, highlight the government’s deportation achievements. The adverts avoid displaying Labour’s logo and feature a blue shade closely matching that of Reform UK’s branding.
The Labour Party has set up a Facebook group named Protect Britain’s Communities to showcase the government’s stance on crime and antisocial conduct. The page features a prominent union flag, with no visible Labour logos.
To push back against Reform, the Yorkshire and Humber Labour Party has sponsored a UK Migration Facebook ad stating,
“Breaking news: Labour reaches a five-year peak in migrant removals.”
The advert has been shared by Labour North West on a Facebook group called Putting Runcorn First.
Similar in appearance, the Putting Communities First page mainly features tabloid-style stories on government actions to tackle minor crimes and antisocial behaviour.
What did Labour sources say about targeting Reform voters?
According to Labour insiders, these ads are part of a broader strategy to reach voters considering switching to Reform, a trend that is reportedly expanding in recent survey findings.
One source stated,
“The Tories and Reform offer nothing but weasel words, while this Labour government gets on with fixing the asylum system, which the Tories broke. We intend to let the public know about our plan for change through every available channel.”
What concerns have Labour MPs and human rights activists raised about the Labour adverts?
Labour’s Facebook campaign has drawn backlash from party MPs and activists, who argue it may negatively impact asylum seekers in the UK.
Rachael Maskell, the Labour MP for York Central, urged the party to be cautious of the potential threat to asylum seekers who have faced persecution while stressing her commitment to human rights in her constituency.
The refugee and migrant rights director at Amnesty International UK, Steve Valdez-Symonds stated,
“It is seriously worrying that the government seems set on repeating the mistakes of the past – under both Conservative and Labour leadership.”
Mr. Valdez-Symonds added that for those advocating for the respect of human dignity and a fair asylum system, such public communication approaches only worsen the situation.
How is the think tank Labour Together trying to reach Reform voters?
Labour Together, a think tank with close connections to Keir Starmer and his allies, is also exploring ways to connect with Reform voters.
The CEO of this think tank, former Labour MP Jonathan Ashworth, stated, “It’s not about trying to ape Farage – that won’t work. But where we have a story to tell, like on the returns figures, Labour MPs should be talking a lot about that.”
What did the recent surveys reveal about the Labour, Conservative and Reform ranking?
For the first time, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has topped a Sky News/YouGov survey, securing 25% support. Labour follows closely at 24%, while the Tories sit at 21%, marking a significant shift in the political landscape.
The survey findings also reveal that Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has fallen behind Nigel Farage in public favorability ratings, as voters express their opinions on prominent political figures.
Labour’s leader’s popularity has taken a hit, as his net favorability drops to -36, behind both Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch.