Congratulations to Kim Leadbeater. She pulled it off in defiance of the early polling and reports of huge anti Labour sentiment. She deserves the win, particularly because so many had written her off (even we weren’t sure she would manage it).
However, relieved as they must be in Labour HQ this morning, this is no huge victory for Sir Keir, or a vindication of his approach. The Tories came within 323 votes of Labour. They might have won if their vote share hadn’t seen a slight decrease on 2019 (1), possibly due to recent revelations about Matt Hancock or a less effective get out the vote operation. Labour itself lost 7.6% of the votes gained in 2019 and is now holding onto a very marginal seat which will surely be a Tory target in 2024. And despite faltering at the end, George Galloway brought in 21% of the vote, suggesting that, as in Chesham & Amersham, Anyone But the Main Parties, is proving to be a powerful force in politics.
If Sir Keir had any sense, he would take stock and start listening to those of us who are saying that he needs to respect all parts of his base, to have a coherent vision that appeals to the majority of voters, and to desist from his stupid battle with his members. Otherwise, he might find like the serpents’ teeth, independent socialists challenging Labour at every by election, and next time, he might not be so lucky.
Wikipedia. Batley & Spen (Parliamentary Constituency).
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