No silver bullets, but there are solutions to Labour's working-class problem

1 Listening not telling. Switch off twitter, talk about the everyday & what matters to people in marginal seats

2 Avoid bossy 'we know best' vibe. Learn, empathise, reflect 1/6 https://labourlist.org/2021/05/the-red-wall-could-crumble-further-no-silver-bullets-but-there-are-solutions/

3. Local leadership - ward councillors, councils, mayors, Wales. Rooted & visible

4. Homegrown answers based on local identity. If answers just papering over cracks, need to think bigger

5. In diverse communities, bring people together, find solutions where everyone gains

2/6

6. Don't just think in terms of compassion & empirical equality - fairness, contribution, mutuality, community

7. Patriotism that's instinctive & unstudied, but not Tory-lite. The left elsewhere combines love of nation & yearning for change

3/6

8. Learn from Biden. Reassure on values, culture & demeanour AND bold economic programme

a Side-step culture war purity tests, occupy lots of space on the values axis of politics
b Stay left on economics. Can't compete as centrists against Tories with incumbency advantage

4/6

9. Now make the offer big & clear. Go green, investment, skills, tax reform, power to workers & unions, big boost to social security

10. But economic offer must sound grounded not scary or ideological. Message & messengers credible & safe: security, good work, bright future

5/6

11. Show how hands-on government helps business not just workers. In working-class seats we need to win self-employed, SME-owners, middle managers. Crude dividing-lines don't serve us or reflect reality

A lot more in @thefabians #HeartsAndMinds report
6/6 https://fabians.org.uk/publication/hearts-and-minds/