Labour must be alert to the rise of left-wing populism

Keir Starmer has acknowledged the threat from populists on the right but not those to his party's left, says Andrew Grice

- Andrew Grice

The UK is "not immune" from the rise in nationalism and populism on the continent, Keir Starmer told The New Statesman's summer party on Monday. "Do not think for a minute that that could never happen here," he said. "It could - and it might, if we fail in our project of delivering change, and our project of being a government of service ... that restores faith in the idea that politics can be a force of change."

Although Labour intended before the election to be tough on crime and immigration once in government, Nigel Farage's success on 4 July has reinforced that desire in spades. Reform UK has spooked Labour by coming second behind it in 89 seats, sparking fears that Farage could attract voters who are disillusioned with politics in general and with the Labour government in particular.

Yet there's a danger that Labour does not pay enough attention to the equally serious threat it faces from the left the Greens and independents, including pro-Palestine campaigners. Labour does not usually have enemies to its left, but will have to get used to it.