Keir Starmer wants a reset with the European Union, but his plans remain vague. However, there is much the Prime Minister could learn from Western Europe's social democratic parties, which have suffered severe declines in support during the 21st century.
The Decline of Social Democratic Parties in Europe
The French Parti Socialiste (PS), once a dominant force, won the presidency and a parliamentary majority in 2012 but is now a minor party, smaller than the UK's Liberal Democrats. Italy's PSI, a major player for much of the 20th century, has virtually disappeared. In Sweden, the Social Democrats, who consistently garnered 40–50% of the vote from 1924 to 1994, have fallen to 30% in recent elections—their lowest since 1920. Germany's SPD, a century-old political powerhouse, secured only 16% in last year's federal election, placing third behind the CDU/CSU and the Alternative for Germany.
Historical Roots and Lost Purpose
These parties grew in the early 20th century by representing the industrial working class. Capitalism had raised living standards, but life remained harsh. Social democrats sought to distribute capitalism's benefits more fairly—a goal largely achieved decades ago. After World War II, centre-left and centre-right parties competed on competence rather than ideology. But by the late 20th century, parties like Labour were captured by middle-class activists with luxury beliefs.
The Wales Warning
A stark example came on 5 May 2026, when the Labour-led Welsh government's Diversity and Anti-Racist Professional Learning organisation advised nursery schools to report “racist incidents” to the police and teach toddlers about white privilege. This, despite Wales struggling with low productivity, low pay, and poor public services. Two days later, Labour in Wales received just 11% of the vote, finishing a distant third.
For Starmer and his party, the future is Wales. Unless Labour dramatically changes course, it is doomed to irrelevance.
