“It is not clear how Starmer undoes the damage” caused by the erosion of Labour loyalty, says Rafael Behr (Johnson looks worn down, but the ‘Boris effect’ may yet return, 25 November). It might help to start with the recognition that under its present construction, Labour is dying. It is, in effect, two parties – one liberal democratic, the other authoritarian socialist – fighting over the spoils of the dying regime.
While social class was the major determinant of voting behaviour, these two parties enjoyed an uneasy accommodation in the interests of electability. This is no longer the case. Politics is now increasingly fought over questions of values and culture, rather than over the economic interests of capital and organised labour.
Resolving these divisions will not be easy and implies a major reset of our organisation of politics. Broadly, what is needed for Labour is a reconstruction of centre-left politics around shared values. This would be facilitated by electoral reform and a centre-left progressive alliance in place in time for the next general election. This must be Keir Starmer’s priority over the coming months.
Roy Boffy
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
