LEADING left MP Richard Burgon told Premier Sir Keir Starmer today that he needed to return to real Labour values to head off Reform in the polls.

The Socialist Campaign Group secretary used Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) to sound the warning as economic pressures mount ahead of a Budget pushed back to the end of November.

Mr Burgon told MPs: “We are in a very dangerous political moment. Opinion polls warn that for the first time in our country’s history we risk the election of an extremist, far-right, government.

“We all have a duty to prevent that,” he added, telling Sir Keir to “return to Labour values,” including tackling poverty and inequality, “a wealth tax on the super-rich” and “an ethical foreign policy that takes a strong line on war crimes whoever committed them.”

Sir Keir gave no indication of a willingness to follow that agenda, although he did find time to restate that the Treasury’s fabled fiscal rules were “non-negotiable.”

When set alongside the commitment he has made, together with Chancellor Rachel Reeves, to not raise taxes on businesses or the better-off, means the government has limited room for manoeuvre in tackling the mounting crisis off which Reform is feeding.

Ms Reeves herself acknowledged that the economy is “not working well enough” and promised a “tight grip” on spending in the Budget, which is now scheduled for November 26, later than expected.

Government borrowing costs have soared to a 27-year high as speculators fear her grip on spending will not be tight enough, following successful Labour back-bench rebellions over cuts to welfare benefits.

Ms Reeves is believed to be contemplating a £51 billion gap between state income and expenditure, making some form of tax rises likely.

The Chancellor said: “Britain’s economy isn’t broken. But I know it’s not working well enough for working people.

“Bills are high. Getting ahead feels tougher. You put more in, get less out. That has to change.

“We must bring inflation and borrowing costs down by keeping a tight grip on day-to-day spending through our non-negotiable fiscal rules. It’s only by doing this can we afford to do the things we want to do.”

Ms Reeves herself risks being sidelined as Sir Keir has brought three different economic advisers into his team at Downing Street, which would enable him to set his own agenda distinct from the Treasury, should he wish to.