Britain's next general election represents a profound threat to democracy itself and Labour is dangerously unprepared to counter the rise of populism, a veteran party strategist has starkly warned.
A 'Terrifying' Democratic Moment
Chris Powell, an election strategy analyst who advised Labour for over two decades, stated the contest expected within three years will be no ordinary political battle. He described populists as presenting a "new and terrifying threat" to free elections and society. Powell pointed to alarming statements from international figures like Donald Trump and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to illustrate the anti-democratic mindset Labour must confront.
He issued a direct challenge to the current leadership, asking where the large-scale plan is to thwart this existential danger. "It is simply not in place," he asserted, warning that allowing Nigel Farage's Reform UK to establish itself as a credible government in the minds of disenchanted voters without a fierce fight is a grave error. Relying on hopes that Reform will implode or the right-wing vote will fracture is, in his view, "potentially suicidal for our freedom and democracy."
Learning from the New Labour Playbook
Powell, who co-authored the analysis with data consultant David Cowan, drew direct parallels with the party's successful 1990s revival. He recalled the seminal September 1995 meeting at his home where Tony Blair and his team, despite being ahead in the polls, planned a "complete reorientation" to signal a break from the past.
He argued that similar "no-holds-barred thinking" and a "fundamental reset" are urgently needed now. While acknowledging some small steps—like Starmer beginning to discuss a closer European relationship and improved TikTok videos—Powell said the effort remains small-scale. The government's narrative is still dominated by its own failings rather than the battle against a populist surge.
A Three-Point Plan to Take on Populism
Based on four years of research into populist movements, Powell and Cowan outline three critical lessons for Labour. Firstly, anti-populists must adopt a "ruthless rebuttal mindset" within democratic bounds. They must be prepared to fight fire with fire on messaging, call out lies, and expose simplistic solutions, learning from the mistake of prioritising conventional niceties.
The second lesson is that Keir Starmer must fundamentally change how he connects with voters. With the public fed up and angry, opponents must demonstrably prove they are on the people's side. Powell cited the example of Kentucky's Democratic Governor Andy Beshear, who won in a Republican state by relentlessly focusing on "bread-and-butter issues: jobs, roads, schools, prices" in plain language.
Thirdly, Labour requires a top-to-bottom media and communications overhaul. To compete with the populist right's coordinated, emotional media machine, Powell proposes a two-front strategy. This includes creating a semi-autonomous digital unit to win the daily war for attention online and a cultural shift to recruit authentic communicators for platforms like podcasts.
Crucially, this demands a move from a national "air war" to a permanent, hyper-local "ground war." He advocates for a local action network, modelled on Stacey Abrams's work in Georgia, to listen, act on local problems, and publicise every win.
Powell concluded that the current situation is a textbook case of an establishment party "caught in the headlights." Relying on containment is a failing strategy. "Labour needs a comprehensive action plan, now," he urged. "Time is a luxury it can’t afford."
