In an era where right-wing populism is gaining traction worldwide, an assembly of five influential, election-winning center-left political leaders from various nations is convening in London. Typically, such a gathering in a grand, ornate hall would symbolize a formidable display of strength for proponents of liberal politics. However, the current climate casts a different shadow on their meeting.
These prime ministers, notably Mark Carney of Canada, Anthony Albanese of Australia, and Keir Starmer of Britain, are uniting at a critical juncture when progressive politics appears more vulnerable than ever. A combination of unpredictable electorates, stagnant economic conditions, and highly divisive debates surrounding immigration has left center-left governments susceptible to the surge of right-wing populist movements. Across the Atlantic, the Democratic Party in the United States finds itself navigating a challenging political landscape, yet to articulate a compelling message capable of effectively countering former President Trump’s influence.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, slated to deliver a key address at the Global Progress Action Summit, is expected to make a passionate appeal for progressive ideals. His speech comes amidst a significant challenge from Nigel Farage’s anti-immigrant party, Reform UK, which currently holds a nearly double-digit lead over Starmer’s Labour Party in recent polls.
Amid escalating concerns over immigration, Prime Minister Starmer is also anticipated to unveil a mandatory digital ID initiative. Proponents argue this plan would act as a deterrent against undocumented migrant workers, balancing his progressive message with pragmatic policy.
According to an excerpt from his forthcoming remarks, Mr. Starmer is expected to declare, “This is the defining political choice of our times.” He is set to contrast the right wing’s “politics of predatory grievance, preying on the problems of working people” with what he describes as “the politics of patriotic renewal. Rooted in communities, building a better country.”
The summit, organized by the Washington-based, left-leaning Center for American Progress Action Fund and hosted by British think tanks the Institute for Public Policy Research and Labour Together, convenes as “citizens across the world are increasingly rejecting mainstream politics,” noted Harry Quilter-Pinner, executive director of the I.P.P.R.
Mr. Starmer, fresh from hosting former President Trump last week, will also have the opportunity to engage with prominent American opponents of Trump, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Pete Buttigieg, who served as Secretary of Transportation in the Biden administration.
For the attending Democrats, this gathering may offer a crucial platform to begin formulating a political strategy for a potential post-Trump era. Discussions are expected to cover various topics, including a progressive response to the tariffs implemented by Mr. Trump.
“The focus is on meeting voters where they are, which is the cost of living and inflation,” emphasized Fred Hochberg, former head of the Export-Import Bank of the United States under President Barack Obama. “That’s where progressives need to focus.”
For Mr. Starmer, who rose to power just 14 months ago, the summit coincides with a period of significant political instability. Despite some notable achievements on the international stage, a series of missteps and recent high-profile resignations have cast doubt on his leadership, as the Labour Party prepares for its annual conference this Sunday.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester and a potential challenger to Mr. Starmer, publicly diverged from the party line this week, articulating a more leftist vision for Labour in two separate interviews. While Mr. Burnham is not expected to launch a leadership bid anytime soon—he would first need to secure a seat in Parliament—the considerable attention he garnered highlighted Mr. Starmer’s current vulnerabilities.
Furthermore, Labour members are tasked with selecting a new deputy leader following the resignation of Angela Rayner, who also served as deputy prime minister, amidst a tax controversy. This contest has effectively become a referendum on Mr. Starmer’s leadership, with critics deliberating whether to vote against his preferred candidate.
Some analysts suggest that the Labour Party was ill-prepared for governance after last year’s election, having been lulled into a false sense of security by the disarray of their Conservative predecessors, who cycled through five prime ministers in just seven years.
“The Labour Party made the mistake of thinking, ‘If we simply govern competently that’s a huge bonus for the country and the country will be pleased,’” stated John McTernan, a political strategist and former aide to Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair. He argued that stable government is merely the minimum expectation for voters.
With inflation persisting and tangible improvements in public services like health care still scarce, voters continue to express frustration with the slow pace of change. Others contend that Mr. Starmer’s technocratic approach and uninspiring communication style have left many voters uncertain about the government’s direction.
Beyond domestic challenges, center-left parties must improve their ability to illustrate the real-world consequences of populist policies, according to Neera Tanden, chief executive of the Center for American Progress Action Fund and a former Biden administration official.
“In our country the divisive rhetoric, the nationalist rhetoric, can be very appealing,” Ms. Tanden remarked. However, she warned, “The Trump administration’s policies are harming working-class people disproportionately — it’s their health care that’s being lost, their utility prices that are going up. I think it’s a warning sign to the world.”