Why Mamdani’s victory matters on this side of the Atlantic

On 4th November 2025, Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist was elected mayor of New York City, in one of the highest-turnout contests in the city’s history, defeating establishment Democrat Andrew Cuomo.

His victory is not just a political upset for the centrist Democratic Party, it signals a broader shift in voter behaviour, party loyalty and grassroots organisation across modern democracies. Elected on an explicitly progressive platform, Mamdani focused relentlessly on easing the cost-of-living pressures facing everyday New Yorkers.

Similar movements are already gaining traction in the UK, where the political centre is under pressure from the Greens and Reform. Treating politics as a two-party game now risks missing half the board.

Mamdani’s comms success

Zohran Mamdani’s political career began in 2020, when he was elected to the State Assembly, representing a district in Queens. His election made him the first South Asian man, first Ugandan and third Muslim to serve in the assembly. He was relatively unknown when he announced his mayoral campaign in October last year, but his win today makes ripples across the world.

His campaign was an impressive show in connecting with voters struggling with the cost of living, in one of the most expensive cities in the world. He communicated his progressive policies – free buses, affordable housing and a wealth tax – in a clear, digestible way that resonated with voters who feel disillusioned by traditional politics. Supported by small donors rather than institutional backers, his movement was built on authenticity and local trust.

The shift is clear, with voters now moving away from centrist leaders towards politicians who communicate directly, credibly and with conviction.

How this translates to the UK

When thinking about this from a UK perspective, a similar shift is happening. The two-party system is fragmenting, with Reform UK and the Green Party surging in the polls. Both these parties are capitalising on the same anti-establishment political sentiment, but from different sides of the spectrum. Mamdani’s win underscores how movements that appear as outliers today can become decisive tomorrow.

Leader of the Green Party, Zack Polanski, has already sought to channel this momentum, urging UK voters inspired by Zohran to back the party. His communication style mirrors Mamdani’s in a simple, issue-driven manner, rooted in concerns of the everyday voter. In contrast, mainstream parties too often speak in the language of Westminster rather than the language of voters. The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves’ pre-Budget speech this week illustrated the problem of being too heavy on positioning and too light on clarity. It was a missed opportunity to connect beyond the political bubble.

A new playbook for political engagement

Its clear political engagement can no longer be defined by traditional party boundaries. Risk and opportunity for businesses now sit across a wider spectrum, as the hard left Greens and right-wing Reform shape debate on wealth tax, migration and net zero without holding power at a national level.

To stay ahead, companies operating in the UK need to broaden their networks and build relationships with emerging parties and grassroots movements that resonate with the public early, not once they’ve gained traction. Using these movements as vehicles to push specific policy agendas can be extremely effective – as they are able to shape mainstream thinking. In a more fragmented political landscape, casting a wider engagement net is key in allowing businesses to help mould policy proposals before they are set in stone.

Conclusion

Mamdani’s victory highlights the growing power of political outsiders and non-establishment candidates who combine clear narratives with community engagement. The UK is on a similar trajectory, albeit at a slower pace, as smaller, less-traditional parties gain real traction. Public affairs strategies that continue to view these parties as peripheral could soon look outdated. Maintaining influence will depend on recognising and engaging with a wider spectrum of political actors shaping mainstream conversation.

It is evident that politics is shifting away from our traditional understandings of it. UK organisations need to widen their political lens, engage earlier, and take the emerging parties seriously – because voters already are.