‘Manchesterism’ is building a better politics and a strong economy. The whole country should be inspired

‘We are taking a long-term approach to rebuilding an economy devastated by the deindustrialisation of the Thatcher era’. Photograph: Chris Chambers/Alamy

At the weekend, Zia Yusuf posted: “After 7 May 2026, Reform will accept no more Tories.” In other words: all you failed MPs and councillors have a full three and a half months to decide at your leisure whether or not to leave the sinking ship.

Taking on politicians from the party that governed Britain for more than a decade and broke it is hardly the stuff of a political insurgency. Suddenly, Britain’s newest political force doesn’t look quite so potent or relevant. Instead, it seems old.