The sister of murdered MP Jo Cox was today chosen to defend her old seat for Labour at a crunch by-election. Kim Leadbeater said she was “overwhelmed” to be picked as the candidate for the Batley and Spen ballot in West Yorkshire.
A poll will be held after the sitting MP, former Coronation Street actress Tracy Brabin, quit to become the county's Metro Mayor.
Ms Leadbeater, 45, said: “I am overwhelmed and humbled by the support and faith from members in Batley and Spen.
“I'm ready to hit the ground running and take Labour's campaign to local people.”
No date for the election has been set but it is expected to take place in July.
The poll could prove tricky for Labour, coming just weeks after it lost Hartlepool to the Tories – another Red Wall brick demolished by the Conservatives.
Ms Brabin had a 3,525 majority at the December 2019 general election but Boris Johnson's party is set to target the stronghold.
During today's selection meeting, Ms Leadbeater told local Labour members: “I'm the candidate the Tories fear.
“They know that I have a proven track record of getting things done at a local level and an established reputation for working for all parts of the community.
“We need strong northern voices at Westminster – people rooted in their communities.
“I will work to represent people across the whole constituency.
“Nobody should be in any doubt about the scale of the task we have to keep Batley and Spen Labour.
“The spotlight will be on us – but I want to show the world that both the Labour Party in Batley and Spen and our community are strong and proud.”
Welcoming her selection, party leader Keir Starmer said: "I am delighted that Kim has been selected to stand in the Batley and Spen by-election.
“Her roots in the community will make her a fantastic champion for Batley and Spen, tackling the issues local people are raising.
"Batley and Spen holds an important place in the Labour Party's heart, and Kim's work to bring people together, just as her sister Jo Cox did, has inspired us all.
“The people of the constituency know Kim well, admiring her hard work in the community and her determination to build a fairer, kinder society.”
Mum-of-two Mrs Cox was shot and stabbed by a far-right extremist a week before the 2016 Brexit referendum.
