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Starmer says he is fighting for every vote in Hartlepool by-election
Keir Starmer faces rumblings of discontent from the Labour left, as polls suggest the party will lose three key battlegrounds in Thursday’s local elections.
A Survation survey gave the Conservatives a 17-point lead over Labour in the Hartlepool by-election, while an Opinium poll indicated that the Tories would win the West Midlands and Tees Valley mayoral contests.
Backbenchers from the left wing of the party told The Independent that failure on 6 May would show that Mr Starmer has not articulated a strong enough vision to challenge Boris Johnson.
However, other MPs urged caution, pointing out the damage Jeremy Corbyn had done to the party and echoing Mr Starmer’s line that Labour still has a “mountain to climb”.
“The hard left, who have never been reconciled to Keir’s leadership, will continue to do their best to undermine it,” former minister Ben Bradshaw said.
But one Corbyn ally said: “If we don’t win all three of those on Thursday, that will be a disaster. It’s a pretty low bar to set. If we can’t clear it, then the plan clearly isn’t working.”
Jersey accuses France of ‘disproportionate’ threats amid Brexit fishing dispute
Jersey has accused France of issuing “disproportionate” threats against it, after Paris said it could cut the island’s electricity over a post-Brexit fishing rights.
Annick Girdadin, the French maritime minister, made the threat of “retaliatory measures” on Tuesday, saying that the Channel Island was being slow to issue fishing licences to French boats.
In response, Ian Gorst, the island’s external affairs minister, said the move would be “disproportionate” and added that he was optimistic that “a solution can be found”.
Rory Sullivan5 May 2021 09:15
Inside Politics
In today’s politics round-up, Adam Forrest looks at local election polling, Boris Johnson’s wallpaper and a Brexit dispute in Jersey:
Rory Sullivan5 May 2021 08:55
Sadiq Khan set to win London mayoral election, poll shows
Although his lead has narrowed over the past month, Sadiq Khan is likely to be elected to a second term as London mayor, a YouGov survey predicts.
The incumbent London mayor has a 12-point lead over his nearest rival, Shaun Bailey, in the first round of voting, according to the survey.
Rory Sullivan5 May 2021 08:35
Starmer to campaign with Labour mayoral candidates
Amid worrying polling, Keir Starmer will spend the final day of the local elections campaign with three of his party’s mayoral hopefuls.
The Labour leader will walk the pavements with Tracy Brabin, Liam Byrne and Dan Norris, who are running in the West Yorkshire, West Midlands and West of England mayoral races.
He will emphasise that Labour is now under “new leadership” and is different from the party led by Jeremy Corbyn.
Ahead of his visit, Mr Starmer said: “Our fantastic Labour candidates have shown in this campaign that Labour’s priorities are the British people’s priorities. Creating jobs, tackling crime and protecting the NHS.
“I can’t wait to join Tracy, Dan and Liam on the campaign trail today. They have run energetic and ambitious campaigns and will all make outstanding mayors.”
Rory Sullivan5 May 2021 08:15
Polls suggest heavy Labour defeat in Hartlepool by-election
The Conservatives will convincingly win the Hartlepool by-election, a Survation poll has suggested.
The survey gave the Tories a 17-point lead in the north-east constituency, which has been held by Labour since the seat was created in 1974.
Rory Sullivan5 May 2021 07:58
Starmer faces rumblings of discontent from Labour left
Polls predict that Labour will be defeated in the crucial Hartlepool by-election as well as in West Midlands and Tees Valley mayoral contests.
Backbenchers on the left of the party have told The Independent this would be an indictment of Keir Starmer’s leadership.
Our political editor Andrew Woodcock has the details:
Rory Sullivan5 May 2021 07:43
Morning, and welcoming to The Independent’s rolling coverage of the upcoming local elections.
Rory Sullivan5 May 2021 07:38
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