SIR KEIR STARMER’S new aide has warned that Labour has lost touch with its core support and must win back millions of voters if it is to regain power. 

Former pollster Deborah Mattinson, appointed director of strategy in a shake-up of the Labour leader’s inner circle, told Sir Keir, shadow ministers and MPs last week that Labour’s traditional supporters have little idea what the party stands for or how it would improve their lives.

Her findings, based on dire internal polling, highlighted the huge challenge Labour faces if it is to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat to the Tories in the next general election, likely in 2023. 

The Observer newspaper reported today that Ms Mattinson stressed victory would only be possible if Labour adopts clearer, sharper and more uplifting messaging about the party’s values and Sir Keir’s vision for the future. 

The party needs to appeal to older, non-university-educated people, she added, as well as those who have lost their sense of job security, seen their high streets decline and feel unrepresented by all parties.

But Ms Mattinson’s analysis did also suggest that many voters are tiring of Prime Minister Boris Johnson and looking for an alternative, MPs present told the newspaper. 

The party is sinking into financial difficulty following Jeremy Corbyn’s resignation as leader in 2020.

Membership numbers have plummeted and Unite, Labour’s biggest financial backer, cut its contributions to the party late last year.

Sir Keir has so far also failed to attract wealthy donors to switch their allegiance from the Tories. 

Leeds East Labour MP Richard Burgon told the Morning Star that Sir Keir should learn from the only general election this century in which Labour made an electoral advance: 2017, under Mr Corbyn.

“[2017] saw the party building a coalition of support among the modern working class in all its diversty. That electoral advance was achieved by a principled platform of clear, practical policies to defend and increase living standards and create a better and fairer society.

“To be able to win a general election, we need to build upon that electoral coalition, not alienate it. As part of that, we must not take the support of young people, black and ethnic minority communities and public-sector workers for granted.”

Parliamentary reporter @TrinderMatt