One of the paradoxes of populism is that while its supporters are well to the right on social issues they are well to the left on backing public spending and the big state. So Reform, if it is to do well in the local elections on 1 May in areas where economic growth languishes behind London and the South East, will advocate a strong state and higher spending. It already backs the nationalisation of the Scunthorpe steelworks which sits within the new Greater Lincolnshire CA where it has high hopes for its mayoral candidate. 

In this, Reform is at one with Labour; indeed the Starmerite Labour Together think-tank recently called for more regional growth spending to close the gap between London and the South East and the rest of England through further fiscal devolution and more powers for mayors. So Reform, Labour, the Red Tories (the Esther McVey wing) all back more spending in the so-called Red Wall areas whose voters backed Brexit and are Reform targets. Bit of a challenge for the Government if it wants to hang onto those crucial seats at local and later General Elections while also reducing its £2.8 trillion debt.