‘Capitalism is dying’: in Luton, these former car workers have a moral tale for our times
Abandoned by the company they worked for, let down by Labour and their unions – now they watch their friends turn to Reform for answers
TL;DR
- Former Vauxhall workers in Luton, who lost their jobs when the plant closed, are increasingly supporting Nigel Farage's Reform UK.
- The closure of the plant is attributed to corporate greed, with Stellantis moving operations despite workers' efforts to reduce costs.
- Workers feel let down by trade unions and the Labour party, which they perceive as unable to protect their livelihoods.
- Unemployment rates among ex-Vauxhall workers remain high a year after the closure, with many taking lower-paying jobs.
- The article draws parallels to political shifts in areas like East Germany, where economic insecurity fuels support for the far right.