Angela Rayner has warned that "magnolia politics" is turning off voters and said the party needs to be bolder to win back its former heartlands.
The Deputy Labour Leader told Politico's Westminster Insider podcast people backed Boris Johnson because he "comes across as authentic" - admitting she might have been a Tory voter if she was an 18-year-old in Stockport.
"For a long time, people have felt that politicians are just saying what they think they want to hear," she said.
"Or they try to 'triangulate,' is the word that they use. I call it 'magnolia politics.' Let's not offend anyone, and have no opinion on anything . I think all parties were a bit (guilty) of that. And Boris just sort of cut through that."
Ms Rayner added: "The Angie Rayner at 18 would have liked someone a bit spicy, and willing to throw a grenade in.That's why we like soaps, isn't it?
"We like a bit of argy bargy, or someone who is going to upset what the norm is."
Video: Corbyn calls Starmer 'weak' for blaming election results on him (The Independent)
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She said her relationship with Keir Starmer was strong after a widely publicised clash at the weekend over the party's grim local election results.
© PAAngela Rayner and Keir Starmer
Mr Starmer moved Ms Rayner moved from her role as Labour chair the morning after the election, handing her the post of shadow chancellor to the Duchy of Lancaster.
"Me and Keir are like yin and yang," she said. "I just like to say it how it is. So I go in there, like the trade unionist I am, and I'm like, 'Right, I'm not happy about this, what's gone on here?'
"And Keir's this incredibly professional guy. So he's like, 'Oh, OK, this is what I think.'
"And so it's just like the two worlds collide. But I will say this about Keir - he is a total professional and he does want to do the right thing."
And she insisted the "trust and bond" between her and Mr Starmer had not been broken.
She said: "You know, he might cheese me off now and again, but that's how partnerships are . But, you know, Keir's heart's in the right place."