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The Fall of the Red Wall: 'The Labour Party no longer represents people like us'
Why did thousands of lifelong Labour voters in the party’s heartland seats abandon the party in the 2019 General Election?
Simple explanations like ‘Brexit’ and ‘Corbyn’ dramatically underestimate the importance of longer term trends, and the changing public narrative in these communities. This is the story of one of the most remarkable shifts in British politics. In the Red Wall constituencies, parents and grandparents had passed down stories of the Labour Party standing in solidarity with local working people. These were Labour towns and Labour people. This public narrative shaped the collective memory, identity and politics of these communities for a hundred years. It also sustained the Labour vote.
This book explains how this public narrative changed and why it matters. As Labour became increasingly disconnected from its traditional working class communities, these voters shared stories of being left behind, ignored, taken for granted, looked down on and betrayed. Brexit and Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership accelerated this process and a new public narrative emerged ‘the Labour party no longer represents people like us’. By 2019 a ‘never Tory’ generation had become Conservative voters. The fall of the Red Wall highlights the risks of failing to understand and respond to public narratives. It also provides crucial lessons for political storytelling. Drawing on analysis of long term trends, extensive academic research, election results, focus groups and interviews in forty-one Red Wall constituencies, this book sets out key principles to guide Labour’s development of a new political narrative. It is essential reading for political communicators and activists, analysts and researchers, from across the political spectrum.
"This is a very timely account of one of the key issues facing the Labour Party as it reshapes itself to challenge Boris Johnson's Conservatives. It is a meticulously researched book but it is also a thoughtful argument about how social democrats should deal with the new electoral landscape and so has relevance beyond the UK. It is a detailed account of what happened at the last UK election giving broad and realistic context. It then makes a focused analysis of the current situation - especially given the new coronavirus context - and suggests policy and campaign options for the immediate future. This is vital and very useful reading for anyone interested in the future of the Labour Party. The focus on the idea of narrative and identity makes this of particular interest to political communications experts and practitioners. At a time of fevered and often narrow debate about progressive politics this is a balanced but committed study that has real relevance for politics today." Professor Charlie Beckett, LSE.
Simple explanations like ‘Brexit’ and ‘Corbyn’ dramatically underestimate the importance of longer term trends, and the changing public narrative in these communities. This is the story of one of the most remarkable shifts in British politics. In the Red Wall constituencies, parents and grandparents had passed down stories of the Labour Party standing in solidarity with local working people. These were Labour towns and Labour people. This public narrative shaped the collective memory, identity and politics of these communities for a hundred years. It also sustained the Labour vote.
This book explains how this public narrative changed and why it matters. As Labour became increasingly disconnected from its traditional working class communities, these voters shared stories of being left behind, ignored, taken for granted, looked down on and betrayed. Brexit and Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership accelerated this process and a new public narrative emerged ‘the Labour party no longer represents people like us’. By 2019 a ‘never Tory’ generation had become Conservative voters. The fall of the Red Wall highlights the risks of failing to understand and respond to public narratives. It also provides crucial lessons for political storytelling. Drawing on analysis of long term trends, extensive academic research, election results, focus groups and interviews in forty-one Red Wall constituencies, this book sets out key principles to guide Labour’s development of a new political narrative. It is essential reading for political communicators and activists, analysts and researchers, from across the political spectrum.
"This is a very timely account of one of the key issues facing the Labour Party as it reshapes itself to challenge Boris Johnson's Conservatives. It is a meticulously researched book but it is also a thoughtful argument about how social democrats should deal with the new electoral landscape and so has relevance beyond the UK. It is a detailed account of what happened at the last UK election giving broad and realistic context. It then makes a focused analysis of the current situation - especially given the new coronavirus context - and suggests policy and campaign options for the immediate future. This is vital and very useful reading for anyone interested in the future of the Labour Party. The focus on the idea of narrative and identity makes this of particular interest to political communications experts and practitioners. At a time of fevered and often narrow debate about progressive politics this is a balanced but committed study that has real relevance for politics today." Professor Charlie Beckett, LSE.
- GenresPoliticsNonfiction
282 pages, Paperback
Published July 15, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 13, 2021
An insightful and thought-provoking analysis about why Labour lost the Red Wall in 2019. Beginning with a discussion of the Red Wall itself and the characteristics which make it unique, the author then uses well-researched analysis to demonstrate why Labour’s catastrophic loss was a long time in the making.
October 6, 2021
A very easy read, would be good for someone not very clued up on British politics. One thing I would change is to put the chapters about narrative at the beginning of the book to set the scene instead of in the middle of the book. I liked the focus group input and election results to demonstrate how Labour has lost its traditional vote and how these voters are world's apart from the Party. Labour's metropolitan and liberal outlook should focus more on urban, diverse and younger demographics if they want to potentially win the next election. This book should be read by Labour MPs and strategies so they can learn how to regain the Red Wall.
October 10, 2020
Well-Researched, Informative and Readable Political Analysis
A book that should be read by any political activist, especially a Labour party one. The strength of this book is it's reliance on facts and stats. Assertions are backed up with data and, overwhelmingly, authoritative comment. It's weakness is the final section, which recommends future action by Labour that is brief, obvious and weak. It doesn't warrant the grand title of a "Part" of the book
It's also obvious, but important to note nevertheless, that Labour will not win power simply by regaining its previous Red Wall strongholds though they won't win without them. I'm not suggesting the author doesn't except this point, but it's insufficiently emphasised in the book making the analysis and final section on future action weak as a consequence.
Also not sufficiently appreciated, at least in the book, is the huge problem Labour faced juggling the passionate forces that Brexit engendered which tore the party apart with Red Wall seats voting one way, and Labour constituencies in the cities voting the opposite. The Red Wall seats get all the attention because so many were lost by Labour, but the Brexit dilemma also saw Labour losing badly with Remain voters. The book's about the Red Wall, but the dilemma was profound.
There's too much emphasis too in the earlier sections on the views of Ian Lavery, Caroline Flint and Jon Tricket.They are such biased commentators that while their views should certainly be represented in any comprehensive narrative of the Red Wall tragedy, the author's over reliance on them for analysis is a shame given the facts and stats the author evidently otherwise applies.
Labour manifestly took the Red Wall for granted. Keir Starmer needs to pay careful attention to all constituent parts of the coalition he needs if he's to own the keys to Downing Street. This book will undoubtedly help him with one important constituent part of the coalition, the one located in the northern and midland towns of England. He'll need further advice for Scotland, Wales, the suburbs and the cities. Not forgetting the young and old! I don't envy his task.
This review may be rather negative. But the four stars reflect it's exceptional insights, scholarship and evidence. It would be too long a review if only the positives were mentioned.
A book that should be read by any political activist, especially a Labour party one. The strength of this book is it's reliance on facts and stats. Assertions are backed up with data and, overwhelmingly, authoritative comment. It's weakness is the final section, which recommends future action by Labour that is brief, obvious and weak. It doesn't warrant the grand title of a "Part" of the book
It's also obvious, but important to note nevertheless, that Labour will not win power simply by regaining its previous Red Wall strongholds though they won't win without them. I'm not suggesting the author doesn't except this point, but it's insufficiently emphasised in the book making the analysis and final section on future action weak as a consequence.
Also not sufficiently appreciated, at least in the book, is the huge problem Labour faced juggling the passionate forces that Brexit engendered which tore the party apart with Red Wall seats voting one way, and Labour constituencies in the cities voting the opposite. The Red Wall seats get all the attention because so many were lost by Labour, but the Brexit dilemma also saw Labour losing badly with Remain voters. The book's about the Red Wall, but the dilemma was profound.
There's too much emphasis too in the earlier sections on the views of Ian Lavery, Caroline Flint and Jon Tricket.They are such biased commentators that while their views should certainly be represented in any comprehensive narrative of the Red Wall tragedy, the author's over reliance on them for analysis is a shame given the facts and stats the author evidently otherwise applies.
Labour manifestly took the Red Wall for granted. Keir Starmer needs to pay careful attention to all constituent parts of the coalition he needs if he's to own the keys to Downing Street. This book will undoubtedly help him with one important constituent part of the coalition, the one located in the northern and midland towns of England. He'll need further advice for Scotland, Wales, the suburbs and the cities. Not forgetting the young and old! I don't envy his task.
This review may be rather negative. But the four stars reflect it's exceptional insights, scholarship and evidence. It would be too long a review if only the positives were mentioned.
April 21, 2021
This is the review that I posted on Amazon:
It is so easy for a book that needs to constantly refer to somewhat complicated statistics, to quickly lose the reader. This is not the case here, however, where clarity in the writing is a very significant feature of the book. Although the subject matter may, at first sight, seem rather narrow, the author takes us through each of the various strands in the history of the labour to conservative vote switch in the Red Wall seats in 2019, and shows the possible longer term consequences for the Labour Party. The idea that the election was lost because of the combination of Corbyn and Brexit, is shown to be only a part of the picture. Much more important was the long-term decline in the Party's popularity in its Northern heartland. Anyone who thinks that the old times will be back with a new leader, and the end of the Brexit fiasco, should certainly read this book. I thoroughly recommend it all - irrespective of party allegiance or none.
It is so easy for a book that needs to constantly refer to somewhat complicated statistics, to quickly lose the reader. This is not the case here, however, where clarity in the writing is a very significant feature of the book. Although the subject matter may, at first sight, seem rather narrow, the author takes us through each of the various strands in the history of the labour to conservative vote switch in the Red Wall seats in 2019, and shows the possible longer term consequences for the Labour Party. The idea that the election was lost because of the combination of Corbyn and Brexit, is shown to be only a part of the picture. Much more important was the long-term decline in the Party's popularity in its Northern heartland. Anyone who thinks that the old times will be back with a new leader, and the end of the Brexit fiasco, should certainly read this book. I thoroughly recommend it all - irrespective of party allegiance or none.
August 31, 2021
Such a beautiful and widely varied experience. we have a 3 days sahara desert tour (https://desertdiscoverytours.com/3-da...) Pick up us from Fez and end in Marrakech with so much in between. Monkeys, the Sahara, Camel ride, unbelievable stars at the desert camp(Layalicamp), Dades, Ouarzazate, Kashbah, lunches in private Berber homes, Visit to berber Nomads in their tent. All of it. Wow! Our wonderful tour guide Hammou answered all our questions, had a depth of knowledge, was charming and all around great. The variation in the land, sights, topography was unexpected and delightful. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to go off the beaten track a bit and see more of the beautiful countryside of Morocco. Thank you DDT for your service
December 31, 2020
This reads like a post mortem report into the cause of death of Labour Party at last election. Fully explains the clear predictions of terminal decline from previous elections were ignored by Londoncentric party elite that had forgotten the Red Wall heartlands to their ultimate cost.
This book should be read by anyone in Labour senior ranks that has the desire to revive this once great party, whether they bother is a different thing and if they do their hubris will blind them to the reality described.
That the book is recent enough published to include current pandemic impact is even more impressive.
Well done Steve Rayson.
This book should be read by anyone in Labour senior ranks that has the desire to revive this once great party, whether they bother is a different thing and if they do their hubris will blind them to the reality described.
That the book is recent enough published to include current pandemic impact is even more impressive.
Well done Steve Rayson.
February 20, 2024
A good perspective and analysis on how labour lost the 2019 GE. Highlighting incredible reasoning to Labour’s biggest blunder and a snapshot of what the British people were all thinking during the 2019 Election.
While it is sad, I can’t help but feel annoyed by Corbyn’s Labour for not doing enough. How could they be so confident about the red wall not crumbling? Why does it take ages for Labour to take a stance on literally anything? I can tell that Labour haven’t learnt their lesson; and although 2019 was 5 years ago, I feel like they’re only going to make more of the same mistakes again.
Can’t wait to read all the analysis about it in 2 years time 🤣
While it is sad, I can’t help but feel annoyed by Corbyn’s Labour for not doing enough. How could they be so confident about the red wall not crumbling? Why does it take ages for Labour to take a stance on literally anything? I can tell that Labour haven’t learnt their lesson; and although 2019 was 5 years ago, I feel like they’re only going to make more of the same mistakes again.
Can’t wait to read all the analysis about it in 2 years time 🤣
December 9, 2020
An uncomfortable read
The message that comes out of this book is that the last election was lost in a large part because of the perceived lack of patriotism, antisemitism and leadership incompetence of Jeremy Corbyn, the Brexit stance of Sir Keir Starmer and Diane Abbott 's economic incompetence (specifically her car crash interview on LBC. To defeat the Conservatives Labour needs to focus on its northern voters and emphasise the deceitful cronyism and incompetence of the Conservatives.
The message that comes out of this book is that the last election was lost in a large part because of the perceived lack of patriotism, antisemitism and leadership incompetence of Jeremy Corbyn, the Brexit stance of Sir Keir Starmer and Diane Abbott 's economic incompetence (specifically her car crash interview on LBC. To defeat the Conservatives Labour needs to focus on its northern voters and emphasise the deceitful cronyism and incompetence of the Conservatives.
March 25, 2023
A dull narrative of narratives, although I find the constant use of narrative(s) genuinely funny throughout this incredibly dry read. Granted this concentrated on the performance of the English branch of the dying Labour Party, particularly regards the traditional red wall seats. Tries to deny it was down to Brexit and the London centric Corbyn but it mostly was. Labour lost Scotland well before the last election and, without the traditional Scottish votes, they had hee haw change of winning but it got worse for them. I genuinely don't see a way back for them, narratives or no narratives.
November 12, 2020
Basically a long article stretched out to the length of a book. Unfortunately the author repeats himself countless times and the same facts reappear every few pages. There is an over-reliance on focus groups and anecdotal evidence which is not reliable. A surprising amount of the analysis is based on hearsay and a lot of the discussion revolves around vague generalities.
January 16, 2021
Really interesting assessment of Labour’s failings at both the 2019 GE and the perceived disconnection with their core voters over the last 30 years. A little repetitive with similar points referred to regularly but insightful none the less. Some lessons to be learned
April 25, 2021
Good analysis. Bit repetitive in places and part 2 (book split into 4 parts) is quite dull.
Part 1 and 3 fascinating, better analysis than Goodwin, in my opinion.
Well worth a read if you are into British politics.
Part 1 and 3 fascinating, better analysis than Goodwin, in my opinion.
Well worth a read if you are into British politics.
October 28, 2020
Fantastic piece of research that many of us can use to reflect on their own country’s situation.
December 26, 2020
Academic
An academic and professional analytical study of the failure of the Labour party. Explains clearly the disconnect of Northern voters form the Labour party.
An academic and professional analytical study of the failure of the Labour party. Explains clearly the disconnect of Northern voters form the Labour party.
September 22, 2021
A fascinating look into how and why Labour experienced losses at the 2019 General Election. The author goes into some detail, exploring demographic and voting changes of preceding decades. Really interesting to see how changes in Labour and Conservative voting bases have been accelerating voter transfer as well as how there has been a gradual erosion of concealed preferences in traditionally Labour-voting areas.
The author is from an academic background and at times it does feel a little like reading an extended essay, but altogether a great insight into the deeper issues leading to Labour's collapse in its old heartlands.
The author is from an academic background and at times it does feel a little like reading an extended essay, but altogether a great insight into the deeper issues leading to Labour's collapse in its old heartlands.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews