ACFM Microdose: The ‘Radical Realists’ of Mainstream, Labour’s New Faction

About this episode

The episode explores the emergence of the 'radical realists' faction within the Labour Party and its historical context.

After a Trip episode about the meaning of mainstream, this time the gang go deeper into ‘Mainstream’ – that is, the new soft-left faction inside Labour. Yes, a festive episode about the inner workings of a political party! Don’t say we don’t spoil you. Jem, Nadia and Keir explain the emergence of Mainstream’s ‘radical realists’ – who include Andy Burnham and Clive Lewis – by exploring the lesser-known history of political tendencies that have shaped and split the Labour Party since the second world war. Further reading: Jem’s recent piece in Tribune . Sign up to the ACFM newsletter: https://novaramedia.com/newsletters Help us build people-powered media: https://novaramedia.com/support

People in this episode

Hosts: Jem, Nadia, Keir

Topics covered

• politics
• Labour Party
• factions
• history
• mainstream
• radical realism

Keywords

• Labour Party
• radical realists
• Andy Burnham
• Clive Lewis
• political history
• mainstream politics
• factions

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Labour Party, Tribune, Novara Media

More episodes of ACFM

• ACFM Microdose: The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction · June 7, 2026 · 2h 7m
• ACFM Trip 60: Shock! · May 24, 2026 · 2h 1m
• ACFM Microdose: New Weird Britain · May 10, 2026 · 1h 48m
• ACFM Trip 59: Hobbies · April 12, 2026 · 1h 31m
• ACFM Trip 58: Boredom · March 29, 2026 · 1h 40m
• ACFM Microdose: The Green Party · March 8, 2026 · 1h 58m