Labour’s left-wing factions have joined forces to demand a “major reset” of the party, warning that Labour’s future depends on adopting a new direction. The coalition of MPs, councillors, and activists made the call following a recent intervention by former deputy leader Angela Rayner, who criticized Sir Keir Starmer’s immigration policies and declared Labour’s survival at stake.
Unified Left Factions Push for Change Ahead of NEC Elections
The push for change comes amid mounting electoral setbacks, including Labour’s third-place finish in the Gorton and Denton by-election, a seat it held for a century. Labour also lost ground recently to Reform UK in Runcorn and Plaid Cymru in Caerphilly. The coalition’s statement, coordinated by groups like Mainstream and Momentum, calls for bolder policies and greater internal democracy to counteract what they describe as “pandering to the far right” from the party leadership.
The coalition includes Labour MPs such as John McDonnell and Richard Burgon from the Socialist Campaign Group, alongside centre-left figures from the Tribune group and Mainstream like Simon Opher and Paula Barker. They aim to back candidates for the summer National Executive Committee (NEC) elections who will promote a more progressive and democratic Labour Party. The NEC controls overall party strategy, rules, discipline, and candidate selections.
Calls for Policy Shift and Restored Party Democracy
The “Reset the Labour Party” statement demands urgent policy shifts, including implementing wealth taxes and placing essential services under democratic ownership. It also calls for “genuinely open” candidate selections, ending MP suspensions related to government scrutiny, and moving away from centralized leadership control. It warns Labour members are disengaging due to frustration with the current direction, urging a membership rebuild as a priority.
While Angela Rayner did not sign the statement, she echoed its concerns in remarks praising Mainstream’s approach and emphasizing the urgency to deliver cost-of-living relief and reform immigration policies. Rayner described Labour’s government as “running out of time” to change perceptions, highlighting the need to emulate center-left governments that have successfully regained public support amid rising populism.
Downing Street declined to fully endorse the criticized immigration reforms but confirmed that Starmer “shares an impatience” to deliver change, reaffirming his intention to remain Labour leader through to the next general election despite speculation of a leadership challenge after May’s local elections.
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