Best of the Spectator The Edition: will Labour learn the wrong lessons from the locals?
May 7, 2026
Alice Loxton, historian and author, brings cultural and historical perspective. Lionel Barber, former Financial Times editor, analyses centrism and leadership. Tim Shipman, political editor, dissects Labour’s electoral pressures. They debate whether Labour may shift left, the collapse of the political centre, Starmer’s leadership challenges, and King Charles’s diplomatic visit to Washington.
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Labour Torn Between Red Wall And Metropolitan Greens
- Labour is experiencing pressure from both Reform in the Red Wall and the Greens in affluent metropolitan areas.
- Tim Shipman argues that losing metropolitan heartlands will push Labour left because leadership cares deeply about those progressive urban voters.
Centrism Lacks A Clear Successor In Labour
- Centrism is out of favour within parts of Labour as Blairism is rejected and the soft left gains influence.
- Lionel Barber warns the party lacks a clear replacement for Blairism and that leadership weakness has amplified this shift.
Don't Replace Leaders Without A Ready Plan
- Build a coherent team and clear plan before changing leadership.
- Lionel Barber argues ousting Keir Starmer without a prepared alternative wastes time and a proper successor needs a concrete programme and competent aides.
