The New Statesman | UK politics and culture What does "Blue Labour" really mean? - Morgan Jones interview
Jul 20, 2025
Morgan Jones, an expert on Labour Party politics and co-editor of Renewal, dives into the intriguing world of 'Blue Labour.' She discusses how this movement aims to reconnect mainstream Labour with everyday people, exploring its ambitions for a moral political discourse. Jones highlights its surprising ideological intersections with the Corbynite left and even the Conservative Party. The conversation also tackles the internal dynamics and popularity of Blue Labour, emphasizing the role of media branding in shaping political identities.
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Origins and Revival of Blue Labour
- Blue Labour emerged as a critique of New Labour's disconnect from real people's concerns and communitarian values.
- It fizzled out in the early 2010s but is now resurging with a new intake of MPs forming a parliamentary group.
Blue Labour's Male-Dominated Network
- Blue Labour remains a predominantly male movement with few women MPs openly affiliated.
- Key MPs involved include Jonathan Hinder, Dan Cardin, and Conor Naismith, mostly less well-known outside Labour circles.
Evolving Ideology of Blue Labour
- Blue Labour's ideology has evolved from skeptical localism in the 2010s to a more national and state-interested stance post-Corbyn.
- This reflects a synthesis of the political context it arises from rather than a fixed doctrine.