Related video: Keir Starmer says Labour is ‘back’
Labour has unexpectedly won the Batley and Spen by-election in West Yorkshire by just over 300 votes, a result which eases the pressure on party leader Sir Keir Starmer.
“Labour is back – Labour is coming home,” Sir Keir declared after Kim Leadbeater took the seat with 13,296 votes – a majority of just 323 over Tory candidate Ryan Stephenson.
Conservative chair Amanda Milling suggested Matt Hancock’s rule-breaking affair was a factor in the loss. “It was something that came up on the doorstep – I have to be honest about that.”
Ms Leadbeater said the people of Batley and Spen had “rejected division and voted for hope”. The new Labour MP refused to say whether or not Sir Keir was an asset on the campaign trail.
George Galloway, who targeted voters in traditionally Labour areas with the aim of toppling Sir Keir, came third. He vowed to take legal action in a bid to have the result overturned by the courts.
