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  1. Politics
8 July 2021updated 07 Jun 2023 3:11pm

What Labour’s Batley and Spen win means for Keir Starmer’s leadership

Stephen Bush explains why Starmer's leadership was never in danger – even if Labour had lost in Batley and Spen.

By Stephen Bush and Phil Clarke Hill

Watch: New Statesman Political Editor Stephen Bush explains why the Labour leader's position was more secure than some commentators had assumed.

Even up to the closing moments of the by-election campaign in Batley and Spen, Labour campaigners were worried they would lose the seat.

Ultimately, of course, Labour held the seat and Kim Leadbeater was installed as the party’s newest MP. This gave Keir Starmer a much-needed boost and forestalled questions over his leadership of the party.

But was Starmer’s role ever truly under threat? In this video, the New Statesman‘s political editor Stephen Bush explains why the Labour leader’s position was more secure than some commentators assumed, and what a win in Batley and Spen means for Starmer and his party now.

Watch more video from the New Statesman on our YouTube channel.

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Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
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