Labour Needs More Shabana Mahmoods, Not Angela Rayners, Argues Political Commentator
In the wake of Labour's defeat in the Gorton and Denton by-elections, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is demonstrating true leadership by pressing ahead with immigration reforms, while the party faces calls to resist a leftward lurch to appease Green Party supporters. According to commentator John Rentoul, Mahmood's courageous approach contrasts sharply with what he describes as Angela Rayner's "attention-seeking waffle."
Mahmood's Firm Stance on Immigration
Shabana Mahmood will next week proceed with replacing permanent asylum status with temporary status, defying internal party critics. She aims to emulate the Danish social democrats, who sacrificed support from liberal factions to implement "firm but fair" immigration controls demanded by the majority. Mahmood challenges the notion that Labour should move left after losing to the Greens, asking pointedly, "What do you mean by 'left'?"
Her response to the Green victory is action-oriented, focusing on policies that put people first, rather than rhetorical gestures. This stance is seen as a blueprint for electable leadership, emphasizing practical solutions over ideological posturing.
Contrasting Responses to By-Election Setbacks
Angela Rayner's reaction to the by-election losses was to urge Labour to be "braver," but Mahmood has taken concrete steps. Similarly, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly keeping the young people's minimum wage below the adult rate to avoid pricing youth out of jobs, highlighting a pragmatic approach over Green Party proposals like a universal "living wage" that could harm employment.
The idea that Labour should respond to defeat by adopting extreme policies, such as legalizing heroin or leaving NATO, is dismissed as absurd. Rentoul argues that pointing out contradictions in Green Party policy is not only straightforward but a moral responsibility, given the party's ideological incoherence.
Debunking Left-Right Assumptions
Assumptions about political spectrums are often confounded. For instance, a recent YouGov poll found that Green voters were the most likely to support military retaliation if Donald Trump seized Greenland, challenging their pacifist image. This underscores that the Greens' populist message doesn't fit neatly on a left-right scale.
Labour MPs from various factions, including Dan Carden of the "Blue Labour" caucus, emphasize that the issue isn't about the Greens or Reform UK, but about defining Labour's purpose and acting on issues like rents, bills, and exploitation of working-class communities. Carden echoes Green MP Hannah Spencer's sentiment that "too many people are living miserable lives," highlighting shared concerns across the political divide.
Fighting Populism with Populism
Liam Byrne, chair of the business and trade committee, suggests Labour should "pick some fights with bad actors," such as Fujitsu, energy companies, banks, and food retailers, to "stand up for the little guy." This strategy aims to counter Green populism with Labour populism, focusing on competence and judgment rather than ideological shifts.
As Financial Times columnist Janan Ganesh noted, believing Labour is unpopular because it isn't left-wing enough requires "a special plane of consciousness." The real challenges lie in preparedness, the Tory inheritance, and leadership, compounded by unrepresentative party members who select leaders.
Leadership and Future Prospects
Shabana Mahmood, who describes herself as "Blue Labour," doesn't overtly eye the leadership, partly due to her unpopularity with party members. However, if she continues her current trajectory, leadership may come to her naturally. Her approach exemplifies the kind of courageous, charismatic, and can-do leadership that Rentoul argues Labour desperately needs to become electable again.
In summary, the path forward for Labour involves embracing practical, people-first policies as championed by Mahmood, rather than succumbing to pressure for a leftward lurch. This focus on leadership and competence is crucial for addressing the party's challenges and reconnecting with voters.
