A recent study by the Social Market Foundation reveals that levelling-up funds may be hindering support for Reform UK, suggesting that quick local results projects may hold back populist momentum.
A recent study by the Social Market Foundation has shed light on the relationship between levelling-up funds and support for Reform UK, a party that has been gaining popularity in recent years. The study found that areas receiving levelling-up funds tend to have lower votes for Reform UK, suggesting that projects delivering quick local results may hold back support for populism.
The study identified several factors that are likely to make voters more likely to back Nigel Farage‘s party. These include a lower number of local voters with degrees, areas where the white population is becoming proportionally lower due to newer arrivals, and higher levels of crime. However, the study also found that an older population does not seem to point to a greater likelihood of Reform UK success.
Nigel Farage is a British politician and former leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP).
Born on April 3, 1964, in Downe, Kent, England.
He graduated from Dulwich College and later studied economics at the University of Oxford.
Farage served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1999 to 2020, advocating for British withdrawal from the EU.
He led UKIP from 2006 to 2016 and was instrumental in the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Reform UK is a political party in the United Kingdom that was formed in 2021 by a group of politicians who broke away from the Conservative Party.
The party's primary focus is on reuniting Northern Ireland with the rest of the UK, which it argues would improve economic and security ties between the two regions.
Reform UK also advocates for greater autonomy for local governments and a more streamlined parliamentary system.
The study’s findings suggest that prioritising projects that give quick local results may hold back support for populism. Jamie Gollings, research director at the SMF, noted that levelling-up money might have gone mainly to places that were already inclined towards mainstream parties for other reasons. However, he also suggested that Labour’s big infrastructure projects and planning reforms could pay off only in decades, highlighting the need for alternative mechanisms to boost local economies.
The study found that local political cultures seem to play a role in whether Reform UK does well. Seat-by-seat-charts showed the party under-performing around Liverpool and in the south-west of England, potentially due to the Liberal Democrats‘ traditional presence there. The study also noted that economic growth can be more complex than previously thought, with rapid growth in skilled jobs not necessarily benefiting local people.
Economic growth is driven by several key factors, including investment in human capital, technological advancements, and infrastructure development.
A highly skilled workforce, coupled with innovative technologies, enables businesses to increase productivity and competitiveness.
Effective governance, a stable financial system, and favorable business environments also contribute to economic expansion.
According to the World Bank, countries with high levels of foreign direct investment (FDI) tend to experience faster economic growth rates.
In 2020, FDI flows reached $1.46 trillion worldwide, underscoring its significance in driving economic development.
More specific elements came into play when it came to particular seats. Constituencies won by Reform UK at the election tended to produce a better result for the party than the demographics would suggest, an effect seemingly created by relatively high-profile candidates such as Farage and Lee Anderson. Conversely, Reform UK did less well than expected in some seats when the Conservatives fielded someone with a strong record on issues such as Brexit.
The study also highlighted a regional imbalance in government spending. Labour Together’s analysis of government spending figures shows that successive governments have spent more on stimulating economic growth in the south-east than the rest of the country, with the gap at its widest under Boris Johnson. The study found that over 16 years, ministers have spent nearly 15% more on housing, education, and infrastructure projects in the south-east than elsewhere.
The study’s findings offer valuable insights into the relationship between levelling-up funds and support for Reform UK. While prioritising quick local results may hold back support for populism, Labour’s big infrastructure projects and planning reforms could pay off only in decades. The study highlights the need for alternative mechanisms to boost local economies and the importance of considering local political cultures and economic growth when evaluating support for Reform UK.
