By Press Association 2021
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer leaving his north London home following the result in the Hartlepool parliamentary by-election
Sir Keir Starmer has come under fire from all sides after Labour suffered a crushing defeat 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.
Boris Johnson hailed the outcome as “very encouraging” as the Conservatives appeared poised to make further gains in council elections across England.
Allies of the Labour leader acknowledged that it was an “absolutely shattering” blow as another pillar in the party’s once impregnable “red wall” crumbled.
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.