Opinion In Zohran Mamdani’s win, some hope for the working class — and sparks of a new politics

In a previous op-ed for this newspaper (‘Zohran Mamdani was born into privilege. Can he really speak for the working class?’, IE, July 1), I questioned whether someone from a privileged background could truly identify as a socialist. My critique was not meant as cynicism but as a reflection on an enduring dilemma: The working class should ideally represent itself. However, running for office requires enormous financial resources. This paradox between authenticity and access defines much of today’s political discourse, and Mamdani’s campaign grappled with it directly.

During a recent seminar with first-year Politics and International Relations students at the University of Edinburgh, we discussed the lack of representation in politics. My students were quick to note that young people and those from working-class backgrounds, especially in inflation-hit Western economies, rarely have the financial means to contest elections, let alone win. As a result, our representatives often emerge from privileged backgrounds, a pattern underpinned by systemic inequity rather than individual failure.

Mamdani’s story also fits this pattern. While none can doubt his privilege — he is the son of renowned intellectuals Mira Nair and Mahmood Mamdani — his election signals change. His unapologetically socialist assertions have broadened space for historically marginalised groups, including ethnic minorities, immigrants, working-class communities, youth, and women. Shaped by a progressive mother known for her cinematic storytelling and a father who has written extensively on the struggles of Indian Muslims, Mamdani brings a richly intersectional worldview to public office.

What also distinguishes Mamdani is his openness about his privilege. Unlike former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who strained to project a “working-class” narrative despite his elite background, Mamdani acknowledges his advantages and uses them to advocate for those without such access. In a social-media age where political posturing is swiftly exposed, his honesty has earned him credibility.

Equally striking is Mamdani’s embrace of his cultural roots. He celebrates his Indian, Ugandan, and Muslim heritage with pride, and gestures such as eating biryani with his hands or speaking Hindi and Urdu with voters, and publicly observing his faith further fortify that. In contrast, many Western politicians of colour, like Kamala Harris, Priti Patel, and Suella Braverman, have often downplayed their heritage to fit into dominant political cultures.

While their policy records, at times hostile toward immigrants, people of colour, and the working class, further highlight this dissonance, Mamdani, on the other hand, advances policies that support immigrants, working-class communities, and ethnic minorities. His approach embodies diversity, equality, and inclusion, values essential to a truly global city like New York.

It’s no surprise that Mamdani resonates deeply with Gen Z and millennial voters disillusioned with establishment politics worldwide. His vocal support for Palestine, for instance, has strengthened this connection. When asked whether he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited New York, Mamdani responded firmly: As a war criminal, Netanyahu would indeed face arrest. He insisted that New York must stand against genocide and occupation, a stance that has earned him both admiration and controversy.

In contrast, UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has backed policies that would criminalise pro-Palestinian protests — an alarming attack on free expression. As I often remind my students, the right to peaceful protest is the backbone of democracy. While I remain frustrated by the persistent absence of genuine working-class representation in politics, with rare exceptions such as Jeremy Corbyn, Mamdani’s victory over Cuomo offers both comfort and optimism.

While structural barriers like financial constraints, social exclusion, and elite gatekeeping still limit who can run for and win office, Mamdani’s success represents a step forward, a sign that inclusive, principled politics can prevail even within a flawed system. As an Indian-Muslim millennial expat living in the UK, I find hope in his leadership. Mamdani may be the mayor of New York, but he is, in spirit, my mayor too.

 The writer is an Edinburgh-based researcher and teaches Politics and International relations