Keir Starmer’s Advisers Offer Advice to Democrats in Washington
Two advisers associated with the British Labour Party urged allies of Kamala Harris to concentrate primarily on immigration and the cost of living.
TroibNews 
When British political strategist Deborah Mattinson heard Vice President Kamala Harris highlight her efforts in prosecuting transnational gangs during the presidential debate, she felt the message resonated perfectly — and that Harris needed to repeat it extensively.
Mattinson, the former head of strategy for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who achieved a remarkable victory in July, visited Washington during the debate week to connect with Democrats, including advisors from Harris's campaign, and to impart insights from the Labor Party's successful campaign. Alongside Claire Ainsley, Starmer’s former head of policy, Mattinson encouraged Democrats to prioritize winning back working-class voters who have shifted towards right-wing populists appealing to their economic and cultural concerns.
To combat this trend, the strategists asserted that Harris and her fellow Democrats needed to showcase a clear and disciplined strategy addressing the cost-of-living crisis, alongside a genuine commitment to border security. Starmer used a similar approach by pledging to “smash the gangs” of people smugglers undermining the border — a theme that Harris has mirrored of late.
“For voters, cost of living and immigration are the two biggest issues,” Ainsley noted. “And that's where they need to focus their attention.”
PMG interviewed Mattinson and Ainsley as they concluded their discussions in Washington. They acknowledged that, while Harris was making progress, there remained significant work ahead to overcome former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Their insights were informed not merely by observation, but also through rigorous analysis of the recent U.K. election. Ainsley, a leader at the Progressive Policy Institute, spearheads an initiative aimed at rejuvenating center-left parties. As part of this effort, the think tank facilitated the attendance of Labour politicians at both Washington meetings and the Democratic convention, and conducted polling and focus groups in crucial American swing states over the summer.
“The results of that opinion research were striking,” said Mattinson. “We just heard exactly the same anecdotes, exactly the same struggle, exactly the same sort of battles, particularly with the cost-of-living crisis, on both sides of the Atlantic. It was an almost eerie similarity.”
The interview has been edited for conciseness and clarity.
**Based on your time in Washington, how much did you sense that Democrats were familiar with your general election, and how much did you feel like you were starting from scratch?**
Mattinson: I think both, actually. The fact that we met many people and generated a lot of interest in what we did indicates they were clearly curious about the campaign. However, we were also able to provide insights from inside the campaign that might not be apparent from the outside.
Ainsley: The parallels we drew between the Harris campaign’s current state and Labour’s victory were rather new for this audience. They recognized Labour's success, but they might not have realized how crucial the challenge of reaching non-college voters was to Labour's strategy and victory. Those conversations were productive and particularly relevant to the U.S. context.
**Can you elaborate on the parallels regarding Harris’s current position and where Starmer stood at a similar time?**
Mattinson: Harris is in a far better position now than Labour was when Claire and I began our work three years ago; we were 12 points behind in the polls at that time. However, Harris faces a tight timeline. We had the luxury of several years to refine our message, while she has a pressing sense of urgency. Although she has already made significant progress, closed some gaps, and even surpassed her opponent in key states, she still has work to do to solidify her lead.
**How closely do her challenges with working-class voters align with those Labour faced?**
Mattinson: This is another area where the similarities are striking. The focus groups we attended in the U.S. echoed experiences we had in the U.K. Voters described being in the “squeezed middle” — struggling middle-class individuals facing numerous challenges, from managing finances to fears about homeownership for their children. The anecdotes and challenges related to the cost-of-living crisis mirrored exactly what we heard across the Atlantic.
Ainsley: Those voters traditionally identified with the Democrats and the Labour Party. Both parties are grappling with the disconnect that has led these voters to feel unrepresented. Starmer's victory illustrates that realigning these voters with a center-left party is achievable, but it requires prioritizing their issues at the core of the party's agenda.
Mattinson: This focus is even more critical given the limited time available.
**That leads to my next question. Your campaign proved that it's possible to attract these voters back to the center-left over the long term, while Harris has just about 50 days. When discussing with Democrats this week, where do you suggest they concentrate their efforts?**
Mattinson: There needs to be even more discipline in the messaging. A clear, tangible offer — a concise set of key points that are repeated — is essential. While Vice President Harris has touched on various key topics in recent debates, these need to be emphasized and continuously reiterated. Specifics like support for small businesses, first-time homeowners, and the child tax credit should be front and center. However, they must be packaged effectively so the voters are aware of them, as they won't learn about these policies unless they hear them repeatedly.
**How significant is the issue of immigration in this equation? How large is the voter segment that might respond positively to a support plan for small businesses or homeownership but would require credible border security policies?**
Mattinson: Immigration is the second-most pressing issue for these voters. I found Vice President Harris’s approach in the debate to be effective when she pointed out her previous prosecution of human trafficking gangs. There needs to be more emphasis on such messaging.
Ainsley: Both U.K. Labour and Starmer faced discomfort in discussing immigration, but it's essential that center-left parties address this pivotal issue. Starmer took decisive action by proposing a Border Security Command and announcing plans to scrap the Conservative government’s Rwanda scheme. This proactive approach is vital for the Democrats as well. They must acknowledge that cost of living and immigration are the two most critical issues for voters, and that’s where their focus should lie.
**You’ve worked closely with Starmer on his personal narrative. This campaign presents a new opportunity for voters to learn about Harris’s family background. As she positions herself as a member of the middle class, is this a new emphasis for her?**
Mattinson: Indeed, this is a challenge. Although some focus groups reflect awareness of her background, there's still a significant amount of work to be done. Harris is making a concerted effort to convey her story, which she’s already referenced in previous discussions. This narrative is crucial because understanding her background shifts perceptions and makes voters more inclined to trust that she will advocate for them.
Ainsley: It’s worth noting that for the duration of Starmer’s leadership, Labour was significantly behind the Conservatives and didn't appear to be on the verge of regaining control. Thus, it wasn’t ideal for Harris to have such a tight timeframe. However, the Harris campaign benefits from receiving considerable attention during prominent moments, making it critical they get their messaging right on the first attempt. While we’re optimistic about what she is conveying, we believe it could be refined further to resonate with voters regarding cost of living and immigration issues.
**You refer to Harris’s immigration standpoint about tackling transnational gangs. Do you see this as a conscious reflection of Starmer's "smash the gangs" message?**
Mattinson: I wouldn’t term it as a deliberate reflection; it's unlikely they looked to our campaign for inspiration. However, the similarities are intriguing; both she and Keir Starmer have backgrounds as prosecuting attorneys, which gives them a powerful narrative to present. It was clear that she highlighted this aspect during the debate.
As Starmer effectively confronted internal party divisions over several years, do you think it would be beneficial for Harris to engage with the left?
Mattinson: For the Democrats, maintaining a display of unity is crucial and likely more important than the route we took. The circumstances were different for us; facing a humbling defeat since the 1930s compelled a reevaluation of our strategy.
Ainsley: Starmer’s realignment of Labour towards the center was pivotal after being associated with a leftist image and perceived disconnection from voters' interests. Although some short-term disunity was an outcome, it was the right move for the long term. For Harris, there seems to be little advantage in positioning herself in that way. Her priority should be to rally support from her party. Should she secure the presidency, the question of how to maintain the Democrats on a centrist path remains significant, as that is where these voters expect the party to be. The core challenge lies in effectively catering to these disillusioned voters, rather than merely managing internal party dynamics.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
Mattinson, the former head of strategy for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who achieved a remarkable victory in July, visited Washington during the debate week to connect with Democrats, including advisors from Harris's campaign, and to impart insights from the Labor Party's successful campaign. Alongside Claire Ainsley, Starmer’s former head of policy, Mattinson encouraged Democrats to prioritize winning back working-class voters who have shifted towards right-wing populists appealing to their economic and cultural concerns.
To combat this trend, the strategists asserted that Harris and her fellow Democrats needed to showcase a clear and disciplined strategy addressing the cost-of-living crisis, alongside a genuine commitment to border security. Starmer used a similar approach by pledging to “smash the gangs” of people smugglers undermining the border — a theme that Harris has mirrored of late.
“For voters, cost of living and immigration are the two biggest issues,” Ainsley noted. “And that's where they need to focus their attention.”
PMG interviewed Mattinson and Ainsley as they concluded their discussions in Washington. They acknowledged that, while Harris was making progress, there remained significant work ahead to overcome former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Their insights were informed not merely by observation, but also through rigorous analysis of the recent U.K. election. Ainsley, a leader at the Progressive Policy Institute, spearheads an initiative aimed at rejuvenating center-left parties. As part of this effort, the think tank facilitated the attendance of Labour politicians at both Washington meetings and the Democratic convention, and conducted polling and focus groups in crucial American swing states over the summer.
“The results of that opinion research were striking,” said Mattinson. “We just heard exactly the same anecdotes, exactly the same struggle, exactly the same sort of battles, particularly with the cost-of-living crisis, on both sides of the Atlantic. It was an almost eerie similarity.”
The interview has been edited for conciseness and clarity.
**Based on your time in Washington, how much did you sense that Democrats were familiar with your general election, and how much did you feel like you were starting from scratch?**
Mattinson: I think both, actually. The fact that we met many people and generated a lot of interest in what we did indicates they were clearly curious about the campaign. However, we were also able to provide insights from inside the campaign that might not be apparent from the outside.
Ainsley: The parallels we drew between the Harris campaign’s current state and Labour’s victory were rather new for this audience. They recognized Labour's success, but they might not have realized how crucial the challenge of reaching non-college voters was to Labour's strategy and victory. Those conversations were productive and particularly relevant to the U.S. context.
**Can you elaborate on the parallels regarding Harris’s current position and where Starmer stood at a similar time?**
Mattinson: Harris is in a far better position now than Labour was when Claire and I began our work three years ago; we were 12 points behind in the polls at that time. However, Harris faces a tight timeline. We had the luxury of several years to refine our message, while she has a pressing sense of urgency. Although she has already made significant progress, closed some gaps, and even surpassed her opponent in key states, she still has work to do to solidify her lead.
**How closely do her challenges with working-class voters align with those Labour faced?**
Mattinson: This is another area where the similarities are striking. The focus groups we attended in the U.S. echoed experiences we had in the U.K. Voters described being in the “squeezed middle” — struggling middle-class individuals facing numerous challenges, from managing finances to fears about homeownership for their children. The anecdotes and challenges related to the cost-of-living crisis mirrored exactly what we heard across the Atlantic.
Ainsley: Those voters traditionally identified with the Democrats and the Labour Party. Both parties are grappling with the disconnect that has led these voters to feel unrepresented. Starmer's victory illustrates that realigning these voters with a center-left party is achievable, but it requires prioritizing their issues at the core of the party's agenda.
Mattinson: This focus is even more critical given the limited time available.
**That leads to my next question. Your campaign proved that it's possible to attract these voters back to the center-left over the long term, while Harris has just about 50 days. When discussing with Democrats this week, where do you suggest they concentrate their efforts?**
Mattinson: There needs to be even more discipline in the messaging. A clear, tangible offer — a concise set of key points that are repeated — is essential. While Vice President Harris has touched on various key topics in recent debates, these need to be emphasized and continuously reiterated. Specifics like support for small businesses, first-time homeowners, and the child tax credit should be front and center. However, they must be packaged effectively so the voters are aware of them, as they won't learn about these policies unless they hear them repeatedly.
**How significant is the issue of immigration in this equation? How large is the voter segment that might respond positively to a support plan for small businesses or homeownership but would require credible border security policies?**
Mattinson: Immigration is the second-most pressing issue for these voters. I found Vice President Harris’s approach in the debate to be effective when she pointed out her previous prosecution of human trafficking gangs. There needs to be more emphasis on such messaging.
Ainsley: Both U.K. Labour and Starmer faced discomfort in discussing immigration, but it's essential that center-left parties address this pivotal issue. Starmer took decisive action by proposing a Border Security Command and announcing plans to scrap the Conservative government’s Rwanda scheme. This proactive approach is vital for the Democrats as well. They must acknowledge that cost of living and immigration are the two most critical issues for voters, and that’s where their focus should lie.
**You’ve worked closely with Starmer on his personal narrative. This campaign presents a new opportunity for voters to learn about Harris’s family background. As she positions herself as a member of the middle class, is this a new emphasis for her?**
Mattinson: Indeed, this is a challenge. Although some focus groups reflect awareness of her background, there's still a significant amount of work to be done. Harris is making a concerted effort to convey her story, which she’s already referenced in previous discussions. This narrative is crucial because understanding her background shifts perceptions and makes voters more inclined to trust that she will advocate for them.
Ainsley: It’s worth noting that for the duration of Starmer’s leadership, Labour was significantly behind the Conservatives and didn't appear to be on the verge of regaining control. Thus, it wasn’t ideal for Harris to have such a tight timeframe. However, the Harris campaign benefits from receiving considerable attention during prominent moments, making it critical they get their messaging right on the first attempt. While we’re optimistic about what she is conveying, we believe it could be refined further to resonate with voters regarding cost of living and immigration issues.
**You refer to Harris’s immigration standpoint about tackling transnational gangs. Do you see this as a conscious reflection of Starmer's "smash the gangs" message?**
Mattinson: I wouldn’t term it as a deliberate reflection; it's unlikely they looked to our campaign for inspiration. However, the similarities are intriguing; both she and Keir Starmer have backgrounds as prosecuting attorneys, which gives them a powerful narrative to present. It was clear that she highlighted this aspect during the debate.
As Starmer effectively confronted internal party divisions over several years, do you think it would be beneficial for Harris to engage with the left?
Mattinson: For the Democrats, maintaining a display of unity is crucial and likely more important than the route we took. The circumstances were different for us; facing a humbling defeat since the 1930s compelled a reevaluation of our strategy.
Ainsley: Starmer’s realignment of Labour towards the center was pivotal after being associated with a leftist image and perceived disconnection from voters' interests. Although some short-term disunity was an outcome, it was the right move for the long term. For Harris, there seems to be little advantage in positioning herself in that way. Her priority should be to rally support from her party. Should she secure the presidency, the question of how to maintain the Democrats on a centrist path remains significant, as that is where these voters expect the party to be. The core challenge lies in effectively catering to these disillusioned voters, rather than merely managing internal party dynamics.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
