Labour First’s Luke Akehurst and Mainstream’s Luke Hurst (l-r) 12 min read49 min Two internal players called Luke are battling to claim Labour’s mainstream. The outcome of their rivalry will shape the future of the party – and possibly the country. Sienna Rodgers reports On one side is Luke Akehurst. He is a veteran organiser within the party and has served as secretary of Labour First, the ‘old right’ Labour factional group, for 20 years. In recognition of his services, the 54-year-old became a Labour MP for the first time at the last general election, and now also runs a WhatsApp group of 198 MPs called “mainstream”. On the other is Luke Hurst. He is the lesser-known Luke, having only involved himself in Labour during Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership years, via student politics. Today, the 27-year-old is national co-ordinator of new membership organisation Mainstream, which represents the soft left of the party and is best known for being close to Manchester mayor Andy Burnham. As their respective brands suggest, both claim to …