Labour fears it is “fighting a losing battle” against Reform UK in Angela Rayner’s seat as an “urgent” appeal for help has been sent to members.
In a letter sent to party members in Tameside, Greater Manchester, Labour’s North West regional director Anthony Lavelle warns that Reform’s growing presence in Tameside, Greater Manchester, presents a “serious challenge to the values we stand for”.
The leaked memo, obtained by The i, said there is a “genuine risk” Nigel Farage’s party could obtain more seats in the area.
Tameside has long been under Labour’s control and includes Ms Rayner’s Ashton-under-Lyne constituency, which she has held since 2015.
The letter read: “We have already seen the chaos they bring. Wherever Reform has taken control, instability has followed — reckless leadership, deep cuts to equality and social care budgets, and proposing the closure of care homes.
“Resignations, suspensions, and expulsions have become routine.”
“I won’t put this lightly — we are fighting a losing battle here, and we urgently need your help,” it added.
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Peter Mandelson issues ‘unequivocal’ apology for keeping ties with Jeffrey Epstein
Lord Peter Mandelson has offered an “unequivocal” apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for keeping ties with the paedophile financier after his conviction.
Over the weekend, the former UK ambassador to the US declined to apologise to Epstein’s victims in his first major broadcast interview since he was sacked.
When he spoke to the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, he apologised for a system which meant Epstein’s victims were not listened to, but not for his own association with the sex offender which continued after his first conviction.
In a statement released on Monday evening to the BBC’s Newsnight, Lord Mandelson offered a more direct apology.
Lord Mandelson told the programme: “Yesterday, I did not want to be held responsible for his (Epstein’s) crimes of which I was ignorant, not indifferent, because of the lies he told me and so many others.
“I was wrong to believe him following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards. I apologise unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered.”
Illegal working crackdown sees raids soar 77 per cent as 50,000 illegal migrants deported from British soil
A crackdown has been launched on illegal working across the country, with the number of raids on premises soaring 77 per cent.
Amid pressure to get to grips with the migrant crisis, the Government has announced it has deported 50,000 people working in the UK illegally since coming to power in 2024.
Accelerated enforcement has lead to the highest level of action on illegal working in British history, with 83 per cent increase in arrests from July 2024 to December 2025.
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