Labour's victory in the Batley and Spen by-election was a triumph for decency and hope over hatred and cynicism.
Kim Leadbeater did her late sister Jo Cox proud. Her campaign stayed true to Jo’s belief that more unites us than divides us.
She did so in the face of nasty and divisive politics as practised by George Galloway.
Her success will provide a much-needed boost to Keir Starmer’s leadership after the Hartlepool defeat and poor local results.
The victory is also a sign that voters are starting to see through Boris Johnson’s lies and failure to deliver on his promises.
Labour’s task now is to show that they are a Government in waiting. That requires the party in Westminster to show the same spirit of unity that helped Kim become an MP.
But we also need to see the leadership start setting out some bold policies, ideas that will capture voters’ imaginations.
Taxing times
Prescription charges are already a stealth tax on society’s poorest.
But now the Government is consulting on raising the age at which you get your medicines for free from 60 to 66.
Following the decision to axe free TV licences for the over-75s this would be yet another attack on the older generation.
The hike would only apply in England, as prescription charges have been abolished in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If this Tory Government cared about people’s health, it would follow the rest of the UK and scrap the tax on medicines.
National pride
After their emphatic win over Germany, the England team take on Ukraine in Rome tonight in the Euros quarter-finals.
Although there will only be a handful of England fans allowed in the stadium, the team will be cheered on by millions at home.
The Italian capital used to stage gladiatorial contests centuries ago – and this time we hope it is the Lions who will be victorious…
