Mainstream Labour or simply Mainstream is a British centre-left political network associated with the British Labour Party, co-founded by Open Labour and Compass in 2025 to reverse what it sees as Labour's "clear drift to the right" under Keir Starmer to prevent the rise of right-wing populism in the UK. 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 the introduction of a wealth tax, lifting the two-child benefit cap and the nationalisation of key public industries.
According to its organisers, 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.
History
Mainstream Labour was founded on 6 August 2025.[1] It was co-founded by members of Compass, a centre-left think tank, and Open Labour, a soft left organisation in the Labour Party.[2] A month later, the network launched its founding statement, declaring itself to be the home of Labour's "radical realists".[3][2] 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.[4][5][2] 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.[2][5] It has been closely associated with Andy Burnham, one of its main founding members.[2][5]
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.[5][2] 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.[2]
In September 2025, Mainstream cited Starmer's delayed decision to dismiss UK ambassador to the United StatesPeter Mandelson for his ties to Jeffrey Epstein as evidence that Starmer was "running a narrow and brittle political project" and warned that a failure to change course would "break him and could break the Labour Party", calling for "a government and party of all the talents and all the views".[6]
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 a wealth tax, the lifting of the two-child benefit cap and the nationalisation of key public industries.[3] The network also criticises factionalism within the Labour Party and calls for pluralism.[3][4]
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. It is led by a secretary and director, Mark Cooke, who is also the sole person with significant control.[1] It also has a national coordinator, Luke Hurst.[7] The organisation plans to hold elections for a council at an as yet undecided date, as well as 'events, activities and campaigns'.[3] The founders of the network plan to organise a grassroots campaign for "bold but practical reforms" in Constituency Labour Parties throughout the UK.[2][8]
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