Labour’s preparations for the 2029 election are already underway, with political strategist Morgan McSweeney spearheading efforts to build a new voter coalition and “fight it like an insurgent” party.
Keir Starmer, who has been Prime Minister for just a week, has made a confident start to his tenure.
However, his team is already laying the groundwork for a second term, focusing on long-term political strategies.
McSweeney has been tasked with considering the political decisions necessary for another victory, while Jonathan Ashworth, a former MP now leading the Labour Together think tank, is set to take on a “highly, highly political” role.
During a recent fireside chat with David Axelrod, the renowned US strategist for Barack Obama, McSweeney shared his insights with attendees, emphasizing the importance of preparing for the 2029 election.
He noted that the party should not rely solely on its current voter base but instead build the necessary support based on the anticipated electoral landscape.
McSweeney’s responsibilities will encompass both day-to-day political strategy and long-term election planning.
His efforts will be reinforced by Ashworth’s appointment to Labour Together, an organization previously managed by McSweeney and supported by party donors.
Ashworth, who lost his Leicester South seat to a pro-Gaza independent candidate, indicated that his role would involve looking ahead to the next four to five years.
“The campaign to win the next general election has started,” Ashworth stated.
“I know this from my time as a special adviser in government, that being in government is really, really busy and relentless.”
He added that Labour Together could provide the necessary intellectual space for the party to sustain its government.
“We’ll be thinking about the policy platform that Labour will want to fight the next general election on.”
Ashworth highlighted his close relationship with Starmer and his team, suggesting that his appointment signals the significant role Labour Together will play in the upcoming campaign.
“I think that in itself signifies the importance of the organization to the government,” Ashworth said.
“Also how people want the organization to be playing a highly, highly political role thinking about the next general election campaign.”
In his first week, Starmer and his team have begun crafting a narrative that paints the Conservative legacy as a financial disaster, positioning themselves as the solution.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy quickly engaged with European nations to rebuild the UK’s international relationships.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves criticized the Tories for leaving the country in its worst financial state since World War II.
Any emerging scandals or departmental crises, from prison overcrowding to NHS waiting lists, are being attributed to the Conservative legacy.
Starmer has presented himself as the leader capable of addressing the problems left by the Conservatives, staking his reputation on his ability to bring about change.
His Chief of Staff, Sue Gray, a former senior civil servant, is pivotal in ensuring Whitehall executes his plans.
However, some within Labour are aware of the potential conflict between politics and policy, understanding the need to win voter support despite challenging policies.
One Labour source noted that Gray’s approach has already caused friction with some political operatives in Starmer’s team, as she seems to prefer allowing the civil service to take the lead.
As Labour prepares for the next election, the party’s strategic planning and efforts to build a new coalition of voters will be critical in securing a second term.
With McSweeney and Ashworth at the helm, Labour is poised to approach the 2029 election with renewed vigor and a focus on winning the support needed to govern effectively.
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