COMMUNIST Party general secretary Rob Griffiths has warned the labour movement to ignore Reform’s recent advances “at our peril.”

His comments to the party’s political committee on Sunday came after nine local council by-elections in England and Scotland showed gains in seats and vote share for the right-wing party.

Labour’s vote collapsed almost everywhere, while Plaid Cymru consolidated its majority vote in Caerffili.

Mr Griffiths said: “People’s anger and frustration at the Labour central government’s failure to control energy and housing bills, improve local services and tackle Britain’s chronic housing crisis is enabling Reform UK to peddle its bogus agenda with wide if shallow credibility.

“Many working-class people are swallowing the lie that immigration is to blame for their problems, reinforced in that delusion by the gutter press and the Labour government’s own anti-immigration rhetoric.

“At the same time, there is widespread support for progressive policies such as price controls on essential goods and services, renationalisation of water, gas and electricity, a wealth tax on the super-rich and greater public investment in vital industries and services.”