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Evening Standard

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Rachelle Abbott

Did Matt Hancock cost the Tories Batley and Spen?

Sir Keir Starmer and Kim Leadbeater celebrate Labour's win in the Batley and Spen by-election
(Picture: PA Wire)

Our political reporter Sophia Sleigh examines the fallout from Labour’s narrow victory in the Batley and Spen by-election.

The party threw everything it had into holding onto the seat, with rumours Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership was at risk.

But even he admits they secured the win by just 323 votes because some traditional Conservative supporters switched sides.

Is that because of the resignation of former Health Secretary Matt Hancock? Sophia looks at the evidence.

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