Ideologically described as sitting on the soft left of the Labour Party, Mainstream describes itself as the home of Labour's "radical realists" and promotes a democratic socialist platform which includes taxing wealth, introducing democratic reforms and placing key utilities into public ownership.[1]
According to its founders, Mainstream is intended to serve as a broad-church for Labour's progressive left, ranging from members on the Labour left to party centrists associated with New Labour, rather than a political faction or caucus. Its membership is formed from a broad alliance of Labour politicians on the Labour left and soft left, as well as the more progressive elements of New Labour.
The network said its main aim is to reverse what it sees as Labour's "clear drift to the right" under Keir Starmer, which it described as "wildly out of step with the majority in the Labour Party", by campaigning for the party to move back towards a more left-wing and democratic socialist platform, in order to prevent the rise of right-wing populism in the UK.[5][6][3] According to the network's organisers, Mainstream is intended to serve as a broad-church for the Labour Party's progressive left, ranging from members on the Labour left to party centrists associated with New Labour, rather than a political faction or caucus, though it has been described by observers such as George Eaton of The New Statesman as ideologically sitting on the soft left of the Labour Party.[3][6] It has been closely associated with Andy Burnham, one of its main founding members.[3][6]
Mainstream was founded ahead of the 2025 Labour Party deputy leadership election, and it is believed that the network is planning to stand or organise behind a deputy leadership candidate.[6][3] The group also plans to submit a motion jointly endorsed by Open Labour, Compass and Momentum at the 2025 Labour Party Conference calling for Keir Starmer's government to abolish the two-child benefit cap by raising £6 billion through taxes against the online gambling industry and banks, which would cover the costs of doing so.[3]
In September 2025, Mainstream coordinator Luke Hurst criticised the choice to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US earlier in the year in spite of his known friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Hurst said the appointment was the result of "[putting] your party faction's interest before your party and before the country", and called for "a government and party of all the talents and all the views".[7][8]
Policy platform
Mainstream's founding statement declares the group to be "the home for radical realists" within the Labour Party. It promotes a democratic socialist platform, which includes the devolution of power "as widely and deeply as possible", the introduction of taxes on wealth, the ending of the two-child benefit cap and the public ownership of key public industries.[4] The network also criticises factionalism within the Labour Party and calls for pluralism.[4][5]
Being an open, welcoming place for all Labour members and supporters to discuss the vision, values, policy and electoral strategy of the Party.
Publishing and holding events across the country to generate real debate that leads to robust and ambitious ideas, policies and strategies for a democratic socialist future.
Campaigning on economic, social, democratic and environmental issues that will defeat authoritarian populism at the ballot box and win hearts and minds for the long-term transformation of our country.
Working to ensure the Labour Party is democratic and that the voices and views of all members are heard, respected and heeded.
Organisation
Mainstream is incorporated as a private company limited by guarantee. The network's registered headquarters are 7 Cecil Road, London, United Kingdom. Its political direction and priorities are currently coordinated by an Interim Council chaired by Kerry Postlewhite and which also includes Alex Sobel MP, Baroness Ruth Lister, Sue Goss, Councillor Lauren Davison, Mark Cooke, Neal Lawson and Pablo John. It has a National Coordinator, Luke Hurst, who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation and its political organising.[9] The organisation plans to hold elections for a larger Council after the first year of its activity, as well as 'events, activities and campaigns'.[4] The founders of the network plan to organise a grassroots campaign for "bold but practical reforms" in Constituency Labour Parties throughout the UK.[3][10]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
