UnHerd with Freddie Sayers Lord Maurice Glasman: Could Blue Labour stop Reform?
Oct 2, 2025
Lord Maurice Glasman, a prominent Labour peer and founder of the Blue Labour movement, discusses the party's identity crisis and its drift from working-class roots. He critiques Keir Starmer's leadership style while emphasizing the need for an industrial strategy to revitalize job creation. Glasman warns of Nigel Farage's Reform movement gaining traction among disillusioned voters. He draws parallels between Blue Labour and the populist energy behind Trump, arguing for a renewed focus on vocational education and grassroots engagement to reclaim Labour's connection with the community.
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Vatican Talk And A Lesson In Patience
- Glasman recounts speaking at the Vatican to Pope Francis about Blue Labour and being told patience is his primary virtue.
- He frames Blue Labour as a long, intergenerational project rather than immediate takeover.
MAGA's Working‑Class Appeal Is A Signal
- Glasman finds overlap with parts of MAGA: working-class celebration and desire to be heard.
- He frames MAGA attraction as a symptom of abandonment, not ideological agreement.
Turn Legalism Into Practical Action
- Rebalance respect for rule of law with action: favour 'rule of law, not the rule of lawyers.'
- Turn policy words into deeds and focus on delivering outcomes for people.
