Public perceptions of Starmer and Farage are perhaps a bit hazy

<p>PM determined to challenge Reform leader’s seemingly paradoxical support from voters in deprived areas</p><p>The optics could hardly be more different. On one stage, Nigel Farage was in a Welsh former steel town <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jun/09/nigel-farage-reform-uk-welsh-elections-coalmining-revived">talking about</a> reopening coalmines. On another, Keir Starmer enjoyed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jun/09/keir-starmer-technology-better-future-artificial-intelligence-london-tech-week">a cosy chat</a> with a tech multi-billionaire wearing a £7,000 leather jacket.</p><p>Does this therefore show that the Reform UK leader has been successful in, to use his words, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/apr/15/nigel-farage-reform-is-parking-its-tanks-on-labours-lawn">parking his tanks</a> on Labour’s lawn and becoming the voice of working people? As ever in politics, it’s all a bit more complicated.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jun/09/why-public-perceptions-of-starmer-and-farage-are-perhaps-a-bit-hazy">Continue reading...</a>