Claire Ainsley's New Book Challenges the Left to Take Back Control 2026

Political strategist Claire Ainsley's new book, Control: How We Lost It and How to Take It Back, argues that the centre-left must challenge the sense of powerlessness felt by many voters. In an interview from her home in York, Ainsley says that feeling overwhelmed by fast-moving events is neither alone nor irrational. But she insists it is politicians' job to master those events, and if conventional parties seem powerless, populist alternatives will offer dangerously easy answers.

Ainsley, who served as Keir Starmer's director of policy in opposition and is now a consultant for the Washington-based thinktank Progressive Policy Institute, says the book is a response to the lack of leadership from centre-left politicians. "We know the rightwing populists have an agenda that is dangerous and divisive. The question is what is being done to stop it," she says. Her answer involves rewiring government and putting people back in charge of their own lives.

Why the Centre-Left Needs to Reclaim Control

Ainsley argues that the centre-left has lost the narrative on control, allowing rightwing populists to exploit voters' anxieties. She points to the success of populist movements in offering simple, often divisive, solutions to complex problems. The centre-left, by contrast, has too often appeared technocratic and remote, failing to address the personal dimension of control.

The book contends that regaining control is not just about policy details but about a fundamental shift in how government operates. Ainsley calls for a more responsive and accountable state that empowers citizens rather than treating them as passive recipients of services. This, she believes, is the key to rebuilding trust and countering the populist appeal.

The Personal and Political Dimensions of Control

Ainsley's analysis goes beyond traditional political strategy to explore the personal sense of control. She suggests that when people feel their lives are spiralling out of control, they are more susceptible to populist messages that promise to restore order. The centre-left must therefore address both the material and psychological aspects of control.

This means not only tackling rising prices and emergent threats such as AI but also giving people a greater sense of agency in their own lives. Ainsley argues that policies should be designed to enhance individual and community control, from local decision-making to public service reform. By doing so, the centre-left can offer a compelling alternative to the populist right.

How to Rewire Government for Control

The book sets out a series of proposals for rewiring government to put people back in charge. Ainsley advocates for decentralisation, greater transparency, and new mechanisms for citizen participation. She also emphasises the need for politicians to communicate more effectively about complex issues, rather than retreating into technocratic jargon.

One key idea is to shift from a model of government that does things to people to one that works with people. This involves co-designing policies with communities, devolving power to local levels, and ensuring that public services are accountable to those they serve. Ainsley believes that such changes can restore faith in democratic politics and weaken the appeal of populist alternatives.

Challenges and Criticisms

Ainsley's proposals are not without challenges. Critics may argue that decentralisation and citizen participation can lead to inefficiency and inconsistency. There is also the question of whether the centre-left has the political will to implement such reforms, especially when in government and facing multiple crises.

Moreover, the book's focus on control may be seen as a concession to populist framing. However, Ainsley insists that the left can reclaim the language of control for progressive ends, offering a vision of a society where power is shared more equally. The success of this approach will depend on the ability of centre-left leaders to articulate and deliver on it. The background to this story is set out in Andy Burnham as UK PM: The Defining Test for Centre-Left Politics. A related thread runs through Green Party Must Avoid Hard Left Takeover, Says Former Leader. Earlier coverage in Trump Officials Launch Sweeping Attack on Left: Key Takeaways shows how the argument developed.

What to Watch Next

Ainsley's book is likely to fuel debate within centre-left circles about how to counter populism and rebuild trust in politics. As Keir Starmer's former policy director, her ideas may influence the Labour Party's policy agenda. The reaction from other political strategists and thinktanks will be closely watched. A closer look at the same subject appears in Tasma Walton on Powerlessness and Writing Pilli Sisters PI. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Far Right Politics of Powerlessness: Real Weapon Explained. The same theme surfaces in Jason Arday Takedown Exposes Left's Credibility Crisis, which takes a different angle.

The broader question is whether the centre-left can adopt a more empowering and responsive approach to government. If it fails, populist alternatives will continue to offer simple answers to complex problems. Ainsley's book is a timely intervention that challenges the left to take back control, both politically and personally. Context on how this played out before sits in Yellow Pine by Claire Vaye Watkins: A Messy Protest Subculture Ta. A companion piece, Yellow Pine Review: Claire Vaye Watkins Explores Protest Culture, approaches the same subject from another angle.

FAQ

Who is Claire Ainsley?

Claire Ainsley is a political strategist who served as Keir Starmer's director of policy in opposition. She is now a consultant for the Washington-based thinktank Progressive Policy Institute and the author of Control: How We Lost It and How to Take It Back.

What is the main argument of Ainsley's book?

The book argues that the centre-left can counter populism by rewiring government to put people back in charge of their own lives. It calls for a more responsive and accountable state that empowers citizens and addresses both the political and personal dimensions of control.

Why does Ainsley think the left has lost control?

Ainsley argues that the centre-left has appeared powerless and technocratic, failing to address voters' sense of powerlessness. This has allowed rightwing populists to offer dangerously easy answers to complex problems.

ADVERTISEMENT

What are some of the proposals in the book?

The book proposes decentralisation, greater transparency, and new mechanisms for citizen participation. It advocates co-designing policies with communities and devolving power to local levels to enhance individual and community control.