this post was submitted on 01 Mar 2026
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This is often claimed, but isn't true, even if you pick a highly specific definition of 'Labour heartland'.
Then explain the policies? I mean if the calculus from Labour HQ is "actually we won't lose votes from nascent Brexitiers then let's ditch these anti freedom right wing racist laced policies and rejoin the EU!"?
But that's just not what is happening is it?
It feels to me like you're assuming that there are only two possible strategies (paraphrasing slightly, either 'be racist' or 'rejoin the EU'), but there's a range of possibilites between those two - as well as the possibility of rejecting that framing altogether. Even in very Brexity areas with Labour MPs, Labour's voters in those areas were less likely to vote for Brexit than the general population in those areas.
As for what Labour are thinking, I'm afraid they're just not being that rational about it. They (the leadership and the advisers to whom they choose to listen) have an emotional attachment to a mostly imaginary type of Labour voter and to a mostly imaginary historic Labour party which appealed to that voter.
They might be less likely, I'll accept that. But they still represent a large chunk of Labour values. Otherwise, seriously, what's the logic in going further to the right and trying to "out Farage" Farage?
I'm not trying to say Labour are the biggest Brexit supporters... but they still seem beholden to them.
As I say, the 'logic' is roughly what you suggest and if the facts were what you state (and Labour believe), their strategy could make sense. But they're dead wrong on the facts! The upshot of this is, that their current bad strategy and tactics are not inevitable, which is why there's still hope for the party.