Inside the Labor left caucus are hoping to give Prime Minister Starmer a political headache

John McDonnell is among the left-wingers who have broken with Keir Starmer's party line

Sir Keir Starmer has said his years leading the opposition have been » long and hard work,” which led to “a change in the party.” We are no longer captive to political gestures, no longer a party of protest but a party of service.”

Attacks on Jeremy Corbyn and his supporters have been thinly veiled as the once powerful left has been pushed to the periphery. party under the leadership of Sir Keir.

But to what extent could the Labor left cause a headache for Sir Keir if he becomes prime minister?

Insiders believe the grouping — as under Corbyn — has run its course, pointing to the removal of senior MPs and also to select dozens of centrist Labor Party candidates to fight in the next elections.

The Socialist Campaign Group (SGC), historically the heart of the left in the Parliamentary Labor Party, is depleted after a number of members have had the whip removed, including the seismic suspension of Mr Corbyn in March 2023.

< p>His suspension has raised fears among some other left-wing MPs that they could suffer the same fate, with those who had intended to stand for the Labor Party at the next election leaving the country, feeling they needed to keep their heads down.

Among other members The SCGs suspended from the party are Diane Abbott, Kate Osamor and Andy MacDonald, although Mr MacDonald had his whip reinstated this month.

It was the wrong group

Sir Keir came under pressure to restore it. — acknowledge that Ms Abbott is also expressing solidarity following alleged comments about former shadow home secretary Frank Hester, a Tory donor, which both Labor and the Tories have branded «racist». But her return doesn't seem imminent.

Even if Ms Abbott were to return, SCG would not be the significant group it once was. Sources estimate its strength at fewer than 20, significantly smaller than the large majority Sir Keir is expected to win.

What's more, it doesn't look like the group will be inundated with new recruits. Left-wing figures believe that the selection of candidates is strictly controlled, with only one or two of those selected from the Labor Party considered to be on that side of the party.

Some of the current members of the House of Commons are also believed to be on the fence retirement.

With a large majority predicted for the general election, Sir Keir is unlikely to need the support of his left wing to push through the legislation. Parliament, although he has consistently warned against complacency as polls could narrow as the country approaches election day.

“All the evidence suggests he will do whatever he needs to govern effectively. But there is no doubt that a narrow majority makes governing the Labor left much more difficult,” admitted one senior Labor source.

Sir Keir’s domestic political platform is far from the radical one he championed. to become Mr Corbyn's replacement, with the party appearing to be moving towards a central position on some key issues as it moves closer to power.

Back in 2020, Sir Keir's 10 promises included an income tax rise for the top 5% and the elimination of tuition fees. Both are clearly left-wing policies that have fallen by the wayside in favor of a more cautious fiscal agenda.