How 'democratic socialist' Zohran Mamdani's win in New York can change UK politics for the better
The British public wants bold new policies to reverse the trend of economic stagnation that stretches back to the 2008 financial crash
Zohran Mamdani was not a name that had particularly registered on my political radar – until last week. But as we take in the results of the so called ‘off-year’ elections in the US, the implications of his win in New York and the widespread Democrat resurgence provides many of us here with reasons to be cheerful.
The approach, particularly in styling himself as a ‘democratic socialist’, was bold for this first Muslim mayor of New York. And probably something his opponents expected would be a disadvantage. But instead that ambitious, optimistic, and people-focussed alternative to Donald Trump’s bombast proved attractive.
Those on our parliamentary benches, who often seem nervous of the challenge, should take heart from what we have seen in the States. Instead of the Tories aping Nigel Farage’s anglicised Trumpism, they should develop a different approach.
And instead of the rest of us moving one step to the right in turn, we should build on our own principles to create a positive vision for Britain.
The right-wing surge that we are seeing not just here but across Europe, threatens an era of unprecedented equality, peace and well-being. We cannot afford to acquiesce in its gradual undoing.
We need to recognise that what is being used to fuel an assault on those cherished rights is fear of, and experience of, economic hardship. Constantly inflaming arguments about immigration and asylum seekers, or othering – indeed almost demonising – the small and vulnerable trans community will not fix what is really at the heart of public disillusionment.
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The cost-of-living crisis and the fear that our children’s futures will not be economically secure is the actual issue we need to address. The problems in our economy, the stagnation, hardship and austerity feel to many people as if they stretch back unbroken to the financial crash of the first decade of the century. People are tired.
Mamdani’s victory was built on a platform of affordability programmes and rights, including universal public childcare, a rent freeze and affordable housing, minimum wage, tax increases and LGBTQ rights.
It was as brave as it was radical for the US in the 21st century. But that radicalism in social and economic policy is surely the nettle that our politicians need to grasp.
We need our government to invest properly in those houses we are being promised to resolve the crisis blighting so many lives. We need an industrial strategy that works to create growth and a realistic approach to energy that moves towards more sustainable green production, but without destroying jobs in oil and gas while turning to imported fuel to fill that gap.
Too often, it feels as if politicians in this country let the fear of electoral defeat hold them back. That instead of taking difficult, bold steps we choose the easy, one might say inoffensive, or unchallenging route. And look where it has got us.
The public wants something more. Something bold. Something that will reverse the trend of economic stagnation which feels as if it is holding back every area of British life. It won’t be easy or painless, and it might take a while.
I don't think voters will resent being told this is going to be tough, so long as it works.
Christine Jardine is Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West
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