The voter in Holborn and St. Pancras said she is leaning towards Reform (Image: The Telegraph)
A migrant who has usually backed Labour says she is now leaning towards Reform UK because she believes English people are being “forgotten”. The woman, who was not named, spoke in Camden ahead of the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
The contest will see Green Party leader Zack Polanski attempt to take the former seat of Sir Keir Starmer, with Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali also standing. The party has held the constituency since it was created in 1983, but voters approached expressed different views about the parties fighting for their support.
One of those was an anonymous woman, who was wearing a hijab. She explained that she had previously been a Labour voter.
But she said her political views were changing and revealed that she was now considering backing Reform. She told The Telegraph: “I’ve always voted for Labour because I believed in what they stood for and how they supported the community, the minority community, should I say.
“But I think these days it’s not as clear as it used to be. I think maybe I’m leaning towards Reform, to be honest with you.
“I feel like the British people themselves need people that stand for themselves. We expect the government to sort of stand up for minorities and migrants and support them.
Zack Polanski is trying to take Sir Keir Starmer’s former seat (Image: Getty)
“But, why not? What about the English people? I feel like they’re sort of being forgotten, to be honest.” The reporter then asked: “And do you think that’s a difficult position to have?
“Do you tell people that you’re considering voting for Reform?” The woman admitted that she generally keeps her views about Reform to herself because she believes people would judge her for supporting the party as a migrant.
She replied: “I don’t say that out loud, to be honest with you, because the moment you say that, you are judged like, how dare you? You’re a migrant. Yes, I absolutely understand that I’m a migrant. I came here when I was in my early teens.
“Grateful to be here, but also now I’m old enough to sort of look on the other side and see and listen to the other side of the argument to see how they’re feeling.”
Migrant Says She Will Vote Reform Because English People Are ‘Forgotten’
A migrant woman has sparked a political debate after declaring that she intends to vote for Reform UK because she believes ordinary English people have been forgotten by Britain’s political establishment. Her comments have attracted attention amid growing discussions about immigration, national identity, public services and the future direction of British politics.
Her position challenges the assumption that support for stricter immigration policies is necessarily limited to people born in Britain. Instead, her comments highlight how concerns about government priorities, economic pressures and social change can influence voters from different backgrounds.
The woman’s decision to support Reform UK reflects a wider political discussion about whether traditional political parties are adequately representing the concerns of ordinary working people. She believes that many English communities feel overlooked and that politicians have spent too much time discussing national issues without paying sufficient attention to the everyday problems facing local residents.
For many people, these concerns are connected to the rising cost of living, housing shortages, pressure on the NHS and difficulties accessing public services. Families struggling with rent, household bills and employment opportunities increasingly want politicians to demonstrate that they understand their circumstances.
Immigration has become an important part of this discussion. Britain’s population has changed significantly over recent decades, and immigration has contributed to the country’s workforce, economy and cultural diversity. Migrants work in healthcare, hospitality, construction, transport and numerous other industries. However, rapid population growth in certain areas can also create additional demand for housing, schools, healthcare and local infrastructure if investment does not keep pace.
The woman appears to believe that these challenges should be discussed openly rather than dismissed as politically uncomfortable. Her support for Reform UK suggests that she sees the party as willing to address issues that other politicians have struggled to resolve.
Nigel Farage has built much of Reform UK’s political identity around immigration control, national sovereignty and dissatisfaction with the established political parties. The party argues that Britain needs a more controlled immigration system and stronger measures to reduce pressure on public services.
Richard Tice has also emphasised the importance of addressing economic difficulties, reducing government expenditure and supporting British businesses. Together, Farage and Tice have attempted to present Reform UK as an alternative for voters who believe that Labour and the Conservatives have failed to deliver meaningful change.
However, the woman’s comments also raise an important question about what it means to represent ordinary English people. Concerns about housing, healthcare, wages and public services affect people from different ethnic and national backgrounds. Many migrants share the same frustrations as people born in Britain, particularly when they experience the same financial pressures and difficulties accessing essential services.
The political challenge is therefore not simply about immigration. It is also about ensuring that government policies address the underlying causes of public dissatisfaction.
Housing is one particularly important issue. Britain has experienced long-term difficulties building enough affordable homes in areas where demand is greatest. High rents and property prices have made it increasingly difficult for younger generations to establish financial independence. Population growth can add to housing demand, but planning restrictions, insufficient construction and uneven regional investment are also important factors.
The NHS faces similar pressures. Hospitals and GP surgeries must respond to increasing demand, workforce shortages and financial constraints. Immigration has helped the health service recruit doctors, nurses and other essential workers, but the government must also ensure that healthcare capacity grows alongside the population.
These realities demonstrate why political discussions about immigration require careful consideration. Effective policy must recognise the contribution migrants make while addressing the pressures experienced by existing communities.
Reform UK’s growing support has also placed pressure on the Conservative Party. Kemi Badenoch faces the challenge of convincing voters that the Conservatives can regain their credibility after years in government. Many voters who previously supported the party have become frustrated with its record on immigration, taxation and public services.
Labour faces a different challenge. The government must demonstrate that it can improve living standards and deliver tangible results for working households. Promises about economic growth will mean little to families unless they translate into better wages, affordable housing and reliable public services.
The woman’s decision to support Reform UK is therefore significant as an example of how political loyalties can cross traditional boundaries. It suggests that voters may increasingly judge parties according to whether they believe their concerns are being taken seriously rather than simply identifying with a particular political background.
Nevertheless, one person’s political decision cannot establish the views of an entire migrant community or the wider electorate. Different individuals have different experiences, priorities and political beliefs. Some migrants may support Reform’s immigration policies, while others may disagree with them. Equally, British-born voters hold a wide range of opinions about immigration and national identity.
Ultimately, the debate should encourage politicians to listen more carefully to communities that feel overlooked. People want affordable housing, accessible healthcare, secure employment and a government that treats their concerns seriously. These are issues that affect the entire country and cannot be solved through political slogans alone.
In conclusion, the migrant woman’s decision to vote for Reform UK because she believes English people have been forgotten highlights an interesting development in Britain’s political debate. Her comments demonstrate that concerns about national priorities and public services are not necessarily confined to one particular background or community. Farage’s party has attracted attention by promising a different approach to immigration and government accountability, but it will need to demonstrate that its policies can deliver practical improvements. Meanwhile, Labour and the Conservatives must address the reasons why so many people feel politically ignored. Regardless of their background, British residents deserve a government that listens to their concerns, protects public services and provides fair opportunities. The real test for Britain’s political parties will be whether they can turn public frustration into meaningful and lasting improvements.