Sir Keir Starmer’s hopes of leading a Labour revival have been dealt a crushing blow after the Tories romped to victory in the Hartlepool by-election.
In a stunning result, the Conservatives took the seat – which had been Labour-held since it was formed in 1974 – with a majority of 6,940.
Shadow communities secretary Steve Reed admitted it was an “absolutely shattering” result as another brick in the party’s once impregnable “red wall” crumbled.
It provoked a furious reaction from the Labour left – sidelined since Sir Keir became leader last year – who said the party must now change direction.
(PA Graphics)
However, Mr Reed insisted they would double down on the more centrist approach taken over the past 12 months.
Sir Keir Starmer’s hopes of leading a Labour revival have been dealt a crushing blow after the Tories romped to victory in the Hartlepool by-election.
In a stunning result, the Conservatives took the seat – which had been Labour-held since it was formed in 1974 – with a majority of 6,940.
Shadow communities secretary Steve Reed admitted it was an “absolutely shattering” result as another brick in the party’s once impregnable “red wall” crumbled.
It provoked a furious reaction from the Labour left – sidelined since Sir Keir became leader last year – who said the party must now change direction.
(PA Graphics)
However, Mr Reed insisted they would double down on the more centrist approach taken over the past 12 months.
Sir Keir Starmer’s hopes of leading a Labour revival have been dealt a crushing blow after the Tories romped to victory in the Hartlepool by-election.
In a stunning result, the Conservatives took the seat – which had been Labour-held since it was formed in 1974 – with a majority of 6,940.
Shadow communities secretary Steve Reed admitted it was an “absolutely shattering” result as another brick in the party’s once impregnable “red wall” crumbled.
It provoked a furious reaction from the Labour left – sidelined since Sir Keir became leader last year – who said the party must now change direction.
(PA Graphics)
However, Mr Reed insisted they would double down on the more centrist approach taken over the past 12 months.
Sir Keir Starmer’s hopes of leading a Labour revival have been dealt a crushing blow after the Tories romped to victory in the Hartlepool by-election.
In a stunning result, the Conservatives took the seat – which had been Labour-held since it was formed in 1974 – with a majority of 6,940.
Shadow communities secretary Steve Reed admitted it was an “absolutely shattering” result as another brick in the party’s once impregnable “red wall” crumbled.
It provoked a furious reaction from the Labour left – sidelined since Sir Keir became leader last year – who said the party must now change direction.
(PA Graphics)
However, Mr Reed insisted they would double down on the more centrist approach taken over the past 12 months.
Sir Keir Starmer’s hopes of leading a Labour revival have been dealt a crushing blow after the Tories romped to victory in the Hartlepool by-election.
In a stunning result, the Conservatives took the seat – which had been Labour-held since it was formed in 1974 – with a majority of 6,940.
Shadow communities secretary Steve Reed admitted it was an “absolutely shattering” result as another brick in the party’s once impregnable “red wall” crumbled.
It provoked a furious reaction from the Labour left – sidelined since Sir Keir became leader last year – who said the party must now change direction.
(PA Graphics)
However, Mr Reed insisted they would double down on the more centrist approach taken over the past 12 months.