Open Labour

ALT Following an Extraordinary General Meeting, where members came together to discuss and debate the future of our organisation, Open Labour members have voted in favour of merging with Mainstream. Open Labour will now begin the formal process of merging into Mainstream.

ALT Since September 2025, Open Labour has been a founding partner of Mainstream, bringing together radical realists from across the Labour movement. Over that time, Mainstream has grown into an increasingly active political organisation, campaigning across the country, developing new ideas and building a stronger voice for our shared political tradition. We believe the time is now right to come together fully.

ALT For more than a decade, Open Labour has fought for a Labour Party rooted in democracy, pluralism, liberation, equality and internationalism. We are enormously proud of everything our members have built and achieved, and are determined to carry our values, our ideas, and our members into a stronger organisation capable of shaping Labour’s future.

ALT Our politics is entering a new era, with Andy Burnham as our leader, there is a huge opportunity to build a Labour Party that is confident, democratic, pluralist and capable of changing Britain for the better. Open Labour will now work with Mainstream to complete the merger and support our members through the transition. Thank you to every Open Labour member and supporter who has been part of our journey. The next chapter starts now.

ALT Keir Starmer has announced that he is stepping down as Prime Minister. We thank him for his service and leadership and wish him and his family well in the future. His resignation triggers a Labour Party leadership election which will determine the future direction of the United Kingdom. We must learn from our successes and shortcomings in government so far and use this knowledge to write an optimistic next chapter for these islands. Since September 2025, Open Labour has been building something special which will shape this next chapter.

ALT We serve as a founding member of Mainstream, a campaign organisation which is energising and organising Labour's radical realists. This joint campaign has grown incredibly quickly, hosted meetings across the country, supported local election and by-election campaigning, and spearheaded a major NEC campaign. A meeting of the Open Labour National Committee has unanimously agreed to recommend that Open Labour formally merges with Mainstream. The decision will be taken by Open Labour members via a ballot.

ALT We will be calling a Special General Meeting, where members will hear the case for the proposal, ask questions and debate before voting. Further information on the process, including the ballot arrangements and how to take part, will be shared shortly. We urge our members to follow updates here and by email, and encourage you to take part in this pivotal moment for our organisation.

ALT The decision to suspend the whip from four MPs and trade envoy roles from a further three for opposing cuts to welfare payments for disabled people is wrong. We call on the Labour Party leadership to reinstate them. The divisive decision taken today to suspend MPs who opposed disability cuts does not strengthen the government - this move will only embolden those on the populist right wanting to see the Government fail. The leadership should consider ways to ensure that a plurality of Labour voices are heard prior to the writing of legislation and should not punish those who move against proposed legislation in order to represent their constituents. If the government wants to be successful, it must bring the Labour party and the country along with them. We call on the Prime Minister and the Chief Whip to reinstate these MPs and start to build constructive and respectful relationships with all backbenchers and the entirety of the Labour Party

ALT Open Labour Statement on Pathways to Work Green Paper