Labour needs to accept that the voters were right to reject its manifesto

It is no use the party blaming the mainstream media for its defeat – it was the policies, and Jeremy Corbyn’s perceived incompetence, that lost Labour the election

The first step to coming to terms with an election defeat is to accept that the voters were right. This can be hard for partisans and party members, and it is telling how different Labour politicians have responded to the challenge.

Jeremy Corbyn, as graceless in defeat as he was when being asked hard questions during the campaign, failed the test. He wrote an impersonal letter to all Labour’s defeated candidates in which he said, “I take my responsibility for that result” – but the very next word was “but”.

He defended the manifesto, “full of transformational policies”, and urged them to build on and unite behind it. It may not matter much what Mr Corbyn thinks, as he prepares to leave the scene of the crime, but the least he could do is tell Labour members the truth.

The reality check that Mr Corbyn’s supporters need is provided by BMG’s opinion poll for The Independent. It finds that by majorities of about two to one among those with a view, voters believe that the Labour Party should “change course and pursue a different agenda”, on defence, taxes and public spending, and nationalisation.

Only on the NHS and on climate change do more people say the party should “keep a policy agenda broadly similar to that of Jeremy Corbyn” than say it should change course.

Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary and one of the leading candidates to succeed Mr Corbyn, has been prepared to face reality. He said in the House of Commons on Friday: “As a result of the majority that the government have, and the mandate that they have, we ​are leaving the EU.” He added that “the Leave-Remain argument will go with us”.

But on the rest of Labour’s policies – the uncertain tone struck on defence, the incredible spending promises and the unconvincing revenue plans – he had nothing to say.

Lisa Nandy, on the other hand, in her short speech proposing the re-election of Sir Lindsay Hoyle as speaker, managed to present him as a voice for “those communities that have just sent shock waves through the political system, many changing hands for the first time in 100 years”, and added: “Many of us in this place have known for some time that the system is not working.”

From Rebecca Long Bailey, meanwhile, the favourite at the bookmakers to succeed Mr Corbyn, we have heard not a word. When we do hear from her, let us hope she has something to say about why the voters were right to reject the prospectus that Labour offered them.

It is no use agitators on Facebook blaming the mainstream media for Labour’s defeat: the media environment hasn’t changed since the previous election; it was the policies and perceptions of the leader’s competence that changed.

We look forward to hearing what Long Bailey and the other candidates have to say about national security and public services. Those are the areas in which the voters expect the party to show some humility and a willingness to listen and learn.

That is the test for all the candidates over the next few months.