This is nonsense.

A department store blames Labour for its collapse. But the CEO’s political leanings, the store’s history, and the local public’s reaction tell a very different story.

Here’s what really happened: 🧵 CEO Tony Brown wants you to believe Labour killed Beales.

He’s plastered Rachel Reeves’s face across ‘closing down sale’ posters and blamed tax rises for making his business “unviable”.

But Beales was already collapsing under the Tories.

Reform’s victory could be the start of its downfall.

On the surface, it feels like momentum. But look back at history, and the warning signs are clear.

Here’s what they are:

(and how Labour can benefit) Until now, Reform wasn’t really a political party. It was a pressure group with a fan club.

Shouting from the sidelines, but not in charge of anything.

Now it controls ten councils – and that changes the dynamic.

This might be the most delivery-focused government we’ve ever had.

Labour has already ticked off 10 manifesto promises – just months into power.

The full list: 1. “We will abolish non-dom status and end the use of offshore trusts to avoid inheritance tax”

A new residence-based inheritance tax system replaced the non-dom system last month.

Rachel Reeves just won over America’s most powerful banker.

He says her economic plan is making Britain a better place to invest.

Here’s why it matters for Labour’s re-election chances:

(even if you think they’re an unlikely alliance) JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon told the FT:

“There’s much to like about the new government’s pro-growth agenda.”

But there’s a problem…

It’s not obvious yet, but the EU rejoining process has already begun.

Not through campaigns or slogans – but technical deals and unsexy laws.

5 signs it’s happening: 1. Youth mobility scheme

Rachel Reeves has confirmed the Labour is discussing a scheme to allow young Brits to work in Europe.

That’s a big shift from ‘No plans for a youth mobility scheme’, which was the line before the election.

Nine months ago, the NHS was at breaking point.

The turnaround under Labour has been remarkable – and barely anyone’s talking about it.

5 seriously impressive stats: 1. Waiting list down for a sixth month

The number of treatments waiting to be carried out has consistently fallen under Labour.

Labour just saved our steel indusutry.

The Tories would never have done it in a million years.

4 times they willingly let the sector fail: 1. Redcar steelworks collapse

More than 2,000 people lost their jobs when the coke ovens and blast furnace closed in 2015.

A cross-party report found the Cameron government was too slow to act on industry recommendations to save the industry.

Reform’s candidates are dropping like flies.

With just 3 weeks until the local elections, many have been suspended for making dark comments that have no place in 2025.

5 of the worst:

(and the disturbing stuff they said) 1. Stephen Hartley (Oxfordshire)

Called Jimmy Savile “an innocent man”, “a Scapegoat”, “a working class hero”, and his “role model”.

Margaret Thatcher quit as an MP 33 years ago today.

Her cruel decisions have echoed through the decades, creating some of the most serious problems the UK faces in 2025.

5 examples: 1. Privatising water

Thatcher sold off the water companies to private investors in 1989.

Today, they’re £60 billion in debt, pumping sewage into our rivers, raising our bills… and still paying out bonuses and dividends.

Anyone who thinks Labour isn’t progressive hasn’t been paying attention.

Look at the laws it’s passed so far – radical reforms that the Tories will find difficult to stomach.

5 of the most exciting: Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act

Brings rail contracts into public ownership when they expire.

Effectively the first step towards re-nationalising the railways, but avoids ending contracts early (which would mean paying compensation to operators).

Labour is coming down hard on tax avoidance.

Buried in the Spring Statement, Rachel Reeves announced plans to close loopholes and take £1bn out of the hands of tax dodgers.

5 of the new measures: 1. Closing loopholes

Right now, HMRC can shut down tax avoidance schemes, but promoters can just register a new company and crack on.

Labour is proposing a ‘universal stop notice’ to target the *individuals* involved instead, making it harder for them to move their operations.

The Spring Statement won’t be all doom and gloom.

Yes, growth is sluggish. But there are reasons for optimism hidden in the details.

5 potential pieces of good news: 1. £2bn for affordable homes

It would fund 18,000 new homes.

Another step towards Labour’s goal to build 1.5m homes this parliament.

The UK economy is doing better than you think.

Forget the doom and gloom for a moment. There are growing signs it’s quietly gaining strength.

Here are 7 bright spots: 1. GROWTH BEATING MOST OF G7

The UK economy will grow faster than all but one G7 country this year, according to the OECD.

Welfare reforms are only part of the story.

Labour made plenty of positive announcements for progressives to be proud of this week.

Here are 5 of them: SOLAR PANELS FOR SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS

Labour is investing £200m to install rooftop solar panels on around 200 schools and nearly 200 NHS sites.

Expected to save hundreds of millions on energy bills.

The NHS is improving rapidly under Labour.

You won’t hear it from the right-wing press, but the stats speak for themselves.

5 *evidence-backed* ways it’s getting better: 1. Waiting list shrinking:

The number of patients waiting for care fell for a fifth month.

Waiting lists fell twice as fast in areas with high unemployment, where Labour deployed expert medical teams.

Reform’s meltdown was inevitable.

It’s not just Rupert Lowe. Nigel Farage has a habit of turning his closest allies into enemies.

7 of the messiest fallouts:

(no one is mincing their words) Ben Habib

Previously Reform’s deputy leader, until he was ousted by Farage.

“He’s not fit to be prime minister”

Labour is doing a wealth tax.

But instead of a one-off hit, it’s rolling out a series of measures to make the wealthiest pay their fair share.

5 examples: Private jets:

Air passenger duty (APD) on private jets is going up by 50%.

Labour is also consulting on expanding the types of aircraft subject to the tax.

Labour has lots to celebrate this week.

While the media focused on Trump and Ukraine, the government has quietly been fixing the country.

7 important developments: PERFORMANCE DATA AT TRAIN STATIONS

Digital screens go live at 1,700 stations from today.

They show the % of trains cancelled and how punctual trains are, broken down by operator.

Trumpism is alive and well in Britain.

Several major UK politicians backed the president in some quite shocking ways – and must now be held accountable.

Here are 7 of them: Suella Braverman

“If I were an American, I’d be voting for Donald Trump. No wars were started while Donald Trump was president. The world would be safer under Donald Trump.”

Labour is giving workers more power than ever.

It’s adding five important new protections to the Employment Rights Bill (which even the party’s opponents love).

A simple explanation of each: 1. BANNING ZERO-HOURS CONTRACTS FOR AGENCY WORKERS

The amendment extends the ban on zero-hours contracts to cover agency workers.

Gives them reasonable notice of shifts, and proportionate pay when shifts are cancelled, shortened, or moved at short notice.

Starmer will be thrilled with tomorrow’s papers.

Even his fiercest critics have warm words tonight (despite a punchy Mail on Sunday headline).

Here are all 6 front pages: Sunday Telegraph

“YOU ARE VERY WELCOME TO NO 10”