![Jonathan Reynolds](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/politics/2024/05/28/TELEMMGLPICT000364063707_17168842175290_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Labour frontbencher brands himself a ‘Christian socialist’ in wake of Starmer declaration
Jonathan Reynolds says he would proudly use the label just a day after the Labour leader also described himself as a ‘socialist’
![Jonathan Reynolds](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/politics/2024/05/28/TELEMMGLPICT000364063707_17168842175290_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=680)
A senior Labour frontbencher has followed Sir Keir Starmer’s lead by branding himself a socialist as the party appeals to its core left-wing voters.
Jonathan Reynolds, the shadow business secretary, said he would proudly use the label despite Labour’s efforts to distance itself from the Jeremy Corbyn era.
His remarks came after Sir Keir used a broadcast interview to say he would call himself a socialist who “always puts the country first and party second”.
Mr Reynolds, one of the Labour leader’s closest allies, said that he would refer to himself as a Christian socialist in a nod to his religious beliefs.
He told the BBC: “I would call myself a Christian socialist, a progressive, in the best traditions of that because that’s about putting people first and to do that, you’ve got to have a set of policies that will deliver for people.
“I think the best traditions of government delivered in the UK, whether it’s the National Parks or the NHS, have come from a similar background to mine.
“But I could also point to the fact that the economy has tended to grow more strongly under those kinds of politicians because people have been at the heart of their plans, good jobs, good work, the kind of jobs you can raise your families around.
“That’s the kind of the economy that I want and that’s the kind of economy a lot of people want.”
‘Country first, party second’
Christian socialism first emerged in the mid-19th century and is a term used to describe people whose Christian beliefs drive their support for left-wing policies.
Many Christian socialists are opponents of capitalism on the grounds that it promotes greed, which is seen as the main cause of social inequality.
Mr Reynolds’ remarks came after Sir Keir was asked on Monday whether he would describe himself as a socialist, a term closely associated with Mr Corbyn.
He told the BBC: “I would describe myself as a socialist. I describe myself as a progressive. I’d describe myself as somebody who always puts the country first and party second.”
The Labour leader has previously sought to play down his party’s left-wing traditions in favour of moving further towards the centre ground.
He has openly courted private companies, on whose investment many of his policies rely, and has loosened his party’s ties to the unions.
Sir Keir also introduced the singing of the national anthem at Labour conference in 2022 to balance out the traditional rendition of The Red Flag, a socialist anthem.
The pair’s remarks come as Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, prepares to declare Labour the party of “the centre ground” in a major economic speech.
Speaking on the campaign trail, she will say that “bringing business back to Labour” is key to the party’s plans to achieve the fastest growth in the G7.