LABOUR policy is driving the rise of Reform UK and the right-wing in Britain, Glastonbury festival heard yesterday.

Liverpool Labour councillor Chantelle Lunt told the What Next For The Left debate at the festival’s Left Field stage that the party is failing working-class people.

She said: “It’s frustrating as we have a Labour government at the moment.  

“People are saying that they’re voting for Reform because of winter fuel, because of the bedroom tax.

“We’ve got to make things better for the working class. That’s the way we can win back support, if Labour just does what it’s supposed to do.”

She added: “The far right always thrive in times of economic struggle.”

Panel chair Ayeisha Thomas-Smith, executive director of the New Economy Organisers Network (Neon), expressed disappointment that Labour has not been the “beacon of hope” that many wished.

She said: “We should be celebrating the end of 14 years of Tory rule, but we have a Labour government that is cutting the benefits of disabled people.”

The panel also highlighted the importance of left MPs like Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott in pushing the left agenda in Parliament.

Academic and journalist Gary Younge said: “I think they help, we need good people to do good things.

“We’ve got fascism knocking on our door and anyone who wants to push against that door is welcome.”

Tenant activist Harriet Protheroe-Soltani and journalist Ash Sarkar both cautioned against identity politics, which is being “weaponised” by the far right.

They also flagged the strength of left-wing independent media in changing the narrative and called on the left to be more proactive than reactive.