When it was formed, Momentum wanted to focus on local and Labour Party issues. It was inspired by Syriza in Greece and Podemos in Spain, both of which used pragmatic, grassroots organising to counter the effects of fiscal austerity. The movement has also benefited from ideas by other campaigns operating on a left-wing or progressive platform, such as Bernie Sanders' campaigns to become a presidential candidate for the Democratic party in 2016 and 2020 and Beto O'Rourke's campaign to become a Democratic Senator in Texas.
