Mainstream (political organisation)

Mainstream Labour was formally instituted on 6 August 2025. It was co-founded by Labour members involved with Compass, a centre-left think tank, and Open Labour, a soft left organisation in the Labour Party. A month later, the network launched publicly with a founding statement signed by figures from across the Labour Party, including Andy Burnham, Paula Barker, Clive Efford, Clive Lewis, Simon Opher and Alex Sobel, declaring itself to be the home of Labour's "radical realists". == 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 taxes on wealth, the ending of the two-child benefit cap and the public ownership of key public industries. The network also criticises factionalism within the Labour Party and calls for pluralism. The network's stated priorities include: • 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. Its political direction and priorities are currently coordinated by an Interim Council chaired by Kerry Postlewhite and which also includes Alex Sobel MP, Baroness Ruth Lister, Sue Goss, Councillor Lauren Davison, Mark Cooke, Neal Lawson and Pablo John. It has a National Coordinator, Luke Hurst, who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation and its political organising. The organisation plans to hold elections for a larger Council after the first year of its activity, as well as 'events, activities and campaigns'. == Membership ==

Described as belonging to the Labour Party's soft left, Mainstream Labour's membership is formed from a broader alliance of Labour politicians on the left and soft left of the Labour Party as well as the more progressive elements of New Labour, with the network's organisers describing it as a broad-church of the progressive left. Parliamentary membership In the House of Commons: • Paula Barker, MP for Crewe & Nantwich • Dr Simon Opher, MP for Stroud • Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds Central & Headingley In the House of Lords: • Lord Dubs • Baroness Healy • Baroness Lister, Vice Chair of Compass • Lord Whitty, General Secretary of the Labour Party, 1985–94 • Lord Wood of Anfield In the Scottish Parliament: • Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow == References ==