Good morning. Today, Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health, is set to unveil a revamped women’s health strategy for England. According to Andrew Gregory’s report, this new strategy acknowledges the shortcomings of a predominantly male-dominated medical system that has often overlooked women’s health issues.

However, for the Labour Party, this announcement transcends health policy. With local elections in England looming in just over three weeks, Labour is leveraging this strategy to critique Reform UK, asserting that Nigel Farage’s party cannot be relied upon to advocate for women’s rights.

Labour’s headquarters has circulated a briefing note that outlines ten reasons why they believe Reform UK is not aligned with women’s interests. Here is the comprehensive list:

1. Reform UK seeks to reopen discussions on abortion limits, with Farage labeling the current 24-week limit as “utterly ludicrous” and urging Parliament to revisit it, which raises alarms about potential regressions in established reproductive rights.
2. Key members of Reform UK have questioned the concept of women’s bodily autonomy. For instance, MP Danny Kruger has claimed that women do not possess an “absolute right” over their bodies regarding abortion, which challenges a cornerstone of women’s healthcare and rights.
3. Reform plans to abolish the Equality Act, as stated by Suella Braverman MP. This would eliminate vital legal safeguards against gender discrimination in various sectors, including workplaces and public services.
4. There are ties between Reform UK and anti-abortion initiatives. Farage has accepted payments to speak at events connected to these groups, raising concerns about the party’s direction.
5. The party’s proposal to eliminate the Employment Rights Act could jeopardize protections related to maternity leave, workplace discrimination, and job security, thereby undermining advancements made for women in the workplace.
6. Reform UK intends to reinstate the two-child benefit cap, a policy that disproportionately affects women, especially single mothers, potentially driving families into poverty and restricting financial assistance for children.
7. Reform figures have made dated remarks regarding women in the workforce. Farage has supported claims that businesses shy away from hiring women due to maternity rights, which reflects outdated views that penalize women for family responsibilities.
8. Some members of Reform UK have criticized public breastfeeding, with Farage suggesting that women should not breastfeed in a manner that he deems “ostentatious,” essentially regulating women’s behavior in public settings.
9. Reform has provided a platform for and defended controversial personalities. For example, Farage has referred to Andrew Tate as an “important voice for men,” despite significant concerns regarding Tate’s misogynistic views and their potential impact on youth.
10. There are serious concerns regarding Reform UK’s stance on violence against women, as the party is contemplating reinstating former MP James McMurdock, who was sentenced for assaulting his girlfriend.

In response to these issues, Anna Turley, the chair of Labour, stated: “Today, Labour is taking steps to address a system that has frequently neglected women—reducing waiting times, enhancing care, and prioritizing women’s voices.” She added that Reform UK’s history reveals a pattern of undermining women’s rights and protections.

Reform UK has been contacted for a comment, and a response will be shared once received.

Meanwhile, Farage appears more focused on a report from the Telegraph, which highlights a poll conducted by JL Partners. This poll suggests that Labour is on track to lose its hold in Wales and faces significant challenges in England, indicating a potential collapse of its traditional support base in the Red Wall and the loss of long-held council seats.

James Johnson, co-founder of JL Partners, commented to the Telegraph: “If these findings materialize, we could witness a significant political upheaval across Britain.” He noted that these elections could pose considerable challenges for Labour in England, spell disaster for the Conservatives in their traditional strongholds, and leave Starmer’s party in a distant third place in Wales.

The potential consequences in Wales are particularly noteworthy, as it has historically remained a Labour stronghold, even during challenging periods for the party. While parties like Plaid Cymru, the SNP, and the Greens are factors, it is Reform UK that may emerge as the primary narrative, potentially gaining traction in Wales and securing seats in councils throughout England.

Today’s agenda includes various political events: At 9:30 a.m., Russell Findlay, leader of the Scottish Tories, will hold a campaign event focused on postal voting. Anas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Labour Party, will host a separate event at 10:00 a.m. discussing maternity services, while First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney will campaign in South Ayrshire at 2:00 p.m.

At 10:00 a.m., Wes Streeting will appear on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour to discuss the women’s health strategy, ahead of a formal launch at 11:00 a.m. Later, Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, will address a Green event on the issue of food bank normalization at noon. Keir Starmer will face Kemi Badenoch during Prime Minister’s Questions at noon, followed by Rachel Reeves, Chancellor, speaking at a CNBC event in Washington at 3:15 p.m., where she will also have a meeting with her U.S. counterpart, Scott Bessent. Lastly, at 3:45 p.m., Defence Secretary John Healey is expected to hold a press conference in Berlin following a meeting with defence ministers from the Ukraine Defence Contact Group.

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