Farage wants an insurance model for the NHS.. he is not on your side

LABOUR'S candidate in a key by-election battle has warned voters Nigel Farage's Reform UK is not "on their side at all".

- BY SOPHIE HUSKISSON

Karen Shore, who is standing in Runcorn and Helsby in a crunch vote on May 1, said the right-wing party was attempting to sow "fear and division" across the country.

The Cheshire constituency has been a Labour stronghold for decades but Reform is hoping for a major upset with its first by-election victory next month.

Ms Shore admits that it is a race between the two parties and refers to Reform as the "opposition".

And she is not afraid to confront those on the doorstep who admit they are flirting with voting for Mr Farage's party.

Division

This includes telling voters that the Reform UK leader is interested in a health insurance model for the NHS for those who can afford it - a key attack line for Labour in the local elections campaign.

Ms Shore said: "People are always surprised. I always say that when they think that Reform would be better for them.

"I always remind them that Reform voted against the workers' rights bill as well.

"I don't believe that Reform is on their side at all. I think what they're doing is trying to create some fear and division in the communities to capitalise on it politically.

"That's not what I'm about at all."

The race in Runcorn has so far been relatively tame compared to some of the toxic fights during last year's general election campaign.