The Labour leadership election only matters if the party breaks with the past | Martin Kettle

The myths that dominated thinking in the Corbyn era have to be laid to rest for good

Unity is breaking out in the Labour party as the leadership election rolls on. Or, at least, so it keeps being said. There is unquestionably some evidence. It is partly embodied by the growing consensus, which has surprised many, that the contest is now Keir Starmer’s to lose. But the unity talk is also partly wishful. It would be wise not to take it entirely at face value.

Unity is mostly better than its opposite. After Labour’s brush with electoral mortality in December, a search for unity obviously makes immediate sense. This is especially wise for a party that throughout its history has mostly been a federation of interests and ideologies rather than a cult restricted to the doctrinally pure or the wretched of the Earth.

Related: Though Labour is split, unity may now be easier than it looks | Polly Toynbee

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