‘Mamdani’s New York win shows there isn’t an ounce of charisma in British politics’
Zohran Mamdani’s decisive victory in the New York mayoral election appears to have breathed life into the Democrats – but can British politicians learn anything from his win?
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In brief…
- Zohran Mamdani, labelled “a disaster waiting to happen” by Donald Trump won 50% of the vote to become New York mayor, in the first important elections to take place in America since the 2024 election.
- The News Agents say that Mamdani’s win shows that modern politicians need to “choose a lane” in politics, and stand by their principles in order to motivate voters to lend their support.
- This, they add, is a difficult request for British politicians who work hard to say as little as possible when speaking to the public.
What’s the story?
Zohran Mamdani’s victory in becoming New York mayor is dreadful news for Donald Trump.
The president had warned voters the 34-year-old social democrat was a “disaster waiting to happen” and a “communist”.
His ‘communist’ policies include subsidised bus travel, rent-freezes, higher taxes on the super-rich and free healthcare.
Donald Trump has said the results “aren’t good” for Republicans, marking the first major elections since his own victory in November 2024.
“It was a year ago that America went to the polls and voted for Donald Trump,” says Jon Sopel.
“For the past year, people have said they've been trying to find a pulse in the democratic body. Now we hear its heart is thumping.”
Jon says the questions posed to the newly revived Democrats now is whether Mamdani's success is about his personality and charm or his policies – and whether it now needs to make a lurch to the left.
Closer to home, he says Mamdani’s win should act as a wake-up call to the charisma-free landscape of British politics we see in 2025.
What can UK politicians learn from Mamdani’s win?
Mamdani did what so few politicians, anywhere in the world, can do – motivating and mobilising young people when it mattered, and sweeping to victory with 50% of the vote share in New York.
“Usually it's better to gear all your policies to old people, because you can depend on them always trotting along to the polling station,” says Jon.
“Mamdani has shown that you can get young people out to vote.
“This shows, again, a way of doing politics that is different. It's not just about progressive politics, it’s also about a way of communicating that gets people's attention.”
But is that too big of a task for mainstream parties in the UK?
“In Britain there isn't an ounce of charisma to go around among any of them,” Jon says.
“You can say that’s probably a good thing, we've had too many big personalities in politics, but equally, you do need people who can communicate, who've got a sense of authenticity, who've got relatability, who've got an energy, a passion, a drive, who can somehow enthuse and make people feel that there is a bit of hope out there.”
This week alone chancellor Rachel Reeves has faced criticism for her empty pre-budget speech, while education secretary Bridget Phillipson was mocked for claiming she knew almost nothing about Mamdani when asked about his win on the morning of the election result.
“I look at so much of what we're seeing now in British politics and you just think it is so underpowered, so apologetic and weak-willed,” Jon adds.
“We can look at New York and ask if this is applicable to us.”
British politics, Emily Maitlis says, has MPs focused on how they can speak without saying anything at all.
“What this shows us is something really simple – choose a lane and celebrate it,” Emily says.
“Don't split between your lanes because you're so scared of offending Farage one day, and you're scared of offending the left of your party the next.
“Just choose your lane and say what you genuinely believe. It might go wrong, but just go for it, because that's the way we can test our politics in this day and age.”
What can the Democrats learn about Mamdani’s win?
The blood may be once again pumping through the veins of the Democrats, but which direction is it flowing?
Elsewhere in the US, Democrat Abigail Spanberger, won the race to become governor of Virginia on the same day as Mamdani won New York.
"She appeals to suburban Republican women," Emily adds.
"Spanberger is very good at reaching across the aisle. She isn't scary socialism, or whatever people think of as scary socialism.
She says Spanberger’s politics feel “aligned” with many Republican voices as well as Democrats.
“All I'm trying to say is Mamdani’s win doesn't necessarily mean that the Democrats should all be thinking socialism is the way forward,” Emily adds.
“What it does mean is that energy is the way forward, charisma is the way forward. Bravery is the way forward.”
Much of Mamdani’s “bravery” has been focused on affordability, and the cost of living issues facing millions of people across America under Trump’s second presidency, and it is this, Jon says, that all Democrats should now attempt to tap into.
“Mamdani has brought back hope, charisma, energy, that ability to put 1000 watts into the room and just light it up brightly,” Jon says.
“He has flood-lit the political scene with this raw energy, enthusiasm, charisma, oratorical brilliance. “
“The generational shift that the Democratic Party needs to go through now is profound, because there are an awful lot of old codgers in politics who need to be put out to pasture.”