A LEAKED Labour internal strategy presentation has revealed plans for the party to make “use of the flag, veterans and dressing smartly” in a patriotic approach to win back voters. 

The presentation, revealed by the Guardian, is aimed at the former “red wall” constituencies that handed PM Boris Johnson a victory in the 2019 general election, as well as other seats it fears could also turn blue. 

It suggests that displays of patriotism are needed to reinforce that the party has changed. 

One slide says: “Communicating Labour’s respect and commitment for the country can represent a change in the party’s body language.”

A Labour spokesperson said the presentation consisted of conclusions reached by a third party rather than Labour officials. 

In response to the report, Labour MP Jon Trickett told the Star: “You can’t reduce patriotism to a single symbol. What we need is symbolic policies which show a different country in a better world as possible. 

“Full employment, an end to class divisions, properly financed public services built on values of tolerance, democracy, social justice and internationalism.  

“This is how to rebuild strong communities and restore pride in who we are as people.”

However, Labour has reportedly told staff in its community organising unit, which was introduced under former leader Jeremy Corbyn to gain community support, that their contracts will not be renewed from May. 

Labour has refused to comment on the allegation. 

Former Labour Party head of mobilisation India Thorogood, who helped to hire a large percentage of community organisers, said: “We had to fight tooth and nail to get interviews for people of colour, with no help from HR.

“The rest of the org [was] almost totally white, but our team was around 50 per cent [black, Asian and minority ethnic].”

Labour MP Ian Lavery said learning of the party’s treatment of the community organising unit was “heartbreaking.”

“The [Labour Party’s] community organisers were a team of supremely talented individuals who to a person simply oozed commitment dedication and passion for a Labour government,” he wrote on Twitter.