AN influential Labour faction is urging Sir Keir Starmer to woo Reform UK voters with right-wing populist calls to “root out” diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

The Prime Minister’s pandering to the right already mirrors the self-styled “conservative socialism” of the Blue Labour campaign group.

In an article titled What is to be Done, the group, founded in 2009 by Labour peer Maurice Glasman, says: “We are proud of our multiracial democracy and we utterly reject divisive identity politics, which undermines the bonds of solidarity between those of different sexes, races and nationalities.

“We should legislate to root out DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] in hiring practices, sentencing decisions and wherever else we find it in our public bodies.”

Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby Ian Byrne told the Morning Star: “More gibberish from Blue Labour as it parrots Trump and Farage.

“Labour cannot and should not try to ‘out Reform’ Reform by scapegoating ethnic minorities.

“Rather it must offer genuine solutions to voters’ every day problems, starting with the cost of living.

“Changing course on issues such as the two-child cap, winter fuel payments, disability benefits cuts and compensation for WASPI women would be a very good starting point.”

A spokeswoman for left campaign group Momentum said: “Echoing Reform UK soundbites will not win over disgruntled voters. Promoting real Labour values will.

Stand up to Racism Co-Convenor Sabby Dhalu said: “Blue Labour has got the strategy wrong. Conceding to the Trump and Reform UK agenda on DEI serves to legitimise it not fight it. This will alienate BME, women, LGBT+, disabled voters and Labour needs all these voters.

“Also Labour is losing around 10% of its vote to Reform UK and 3-4 times as many voters to the Greens and Lib Dems. Polls indicate that the way to win over all these voters is by reversing austerity and implementing policies that make people better off. In addition shifting away from the “Island of Strangers” speech can help win back BME voters.”

“That includes reversing all cuts to the winter fuel allowance, scrapping the two-child benefit cap and investing heavily in our public services.

“If not, Labour risks alienating voters as it tacks to the right.”

Blue Labour includes “red wall” MPs Dan Carden, Jonathan Brash, Jonathan Hinder and David Smith.

Disability Minister Stephen Timms and Equalities Minister Seema Malhotra said that the “commitment to create a more equal society in which people can thrive whatever their background” was an “essential element” of Labour’s project when it launched a consultation on the Equality (Race and Disability) Bill, which closes on June 10.

In February, Ms Malhotra said that the legislation would compel employers with more than 250 staff to report on ethnicity and disability pay gaps, adding that the government was “absolutely committed” to diversity and inclusion.

Sir Keir’s use of anti-immigrant language following Labour’s humiliation by Reform in this year’s local elections has been likened to the racist outbursts of Enoch Powell.