CHRIS WILSON welcomes the arrival of the new broad left network that calls itself ‘the home for Labour’s radical realists’. Early signs are encouraging, he says, but some questions remain.
I am sure many Labour members will have noted with interest the emergence of Labour Mainstream in September. And I’m sure many will be wondering, like me, whether this a good and necessary development, one that seeks to reclaim the party for members, or another piece of factional adventurism.
Early signs are encouraging. Unlike some groups, Mainstream seems to have attracted broad support. The MPs listed among its signatories include Dawn Butler, Alex Sobel, Rachael Maskell and Clive Lewis, while groups such as Chartist, Compass and Open Labour played a central role in setting it up, and Momentum founder Jon Lansman is also involved.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is onside too, although some in the right-wing media suggest this is merely a vehicle for Burnham’s ambitions to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister.
Maybe it is. Opinion polls make grim reading for the party and there is clearly a growing sense of unease, particularly since the loss of Angela Rayner and the recall of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. Eyes will be watching to see if Burnham seeks a return to parliament before next year’s elections.
Still, the spectre of Reform UK alone adds urgency to the need for Labour to recapture the confidence of the public. It is also true that Mainstream has already attracted support from ordinary members. It now claims some 1,000 signatories and has a significant and growing social media presence.
Questions, questions
It is all very interesting, although I think there are some questions that need answering.
First, where are the trade unions? Labour trade union affiliates tend to be very loyal to Labour leaders, despite the occasional public spat. Does Labour Mainstream expect union support? If so, from where?
Secondly, how democratic will the new organisation be? Will it be member-led or have led members? Ordinary members are sick of being played for the career ambitions of MPs, even their own. On this, the signs are encouraging with a commitment to an elected national committee.
Thirdly, what about a policy platform? There is some good stuff in what they have put out so far. I like the idea of ‘radical realism’ and the emphasis on pluralism. I also warmly endorse support for a wealth tax, public ownership of utilities and the end of the two-child benefit cap.
More detail is needed, not least on how the economic maths would add up. And there is nothing about the co-operative movement. For me, that is a striking omission.
Then there is the group’s position on NATO, the EU and a whole raft of international issues. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine was a game changer, so I would hope to see strong support for NATO, some commitment on the single market (how else are going to get growth?) and clear support for a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine.
Ethics & morality
I also note that Burnham supports the idea of Labour contesting elections in Northern Ireland, which is long overdue in my opinion, but it is unclear whether or not this would be part of Mainstream’s policy platform.
Then there is electoral reform. Compass and Open Labour both favour PR, which I think would be madness – allowing minority parties such as Reform to hold disproportionate power in parliament, although an Alternative Vote system could have mileage and does at least deserve consideration.
Finally, there is the whole question of political ethics and morality. We need much higher standards in our debates with each other, across the Labour movement and more broadly in democracy as whole. What will Mainstream Labour do to challenge the coarsening and toxicity of our public discourse?
Mainstream certainly has my attention, but I am waiting for more details before I commit. If it really is broad-based that I am sure it could play a big part in Labour’s renewal. But for now, I want to see more detail.
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Reverend Chris Wilson is a long-time Labour Party member, an active trade unionist and a Christian socialist. He is a member of the ILP.
