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Today’s daily politics briefing
It will be “curtains” for Keir Starmer if Labour loses the next by-election in Batley and Spen, Diane Abbott has claimed.
This comes after the party suffered a humiliating defeat in the Hartlepool by-election earlier this month.
Writing in The Guardian, the Jeremy Corbyn ally speculated that a Labour loss in the West Yorkshire seat this summer could spell an end to Mr Starmer’s leadership.
She wrote: “Support from the large minority ethnic electorate may enable the party to hold the seat and Starmer to hang on as Labour leader.
“But if Labour loses again, it must surely be curtains for him.”
The former shadow home secretary also suggested that the Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who has not ruled out another leadership bid, could take over.
Critics see Ms Abbott’s latest comments as overblown and unfair, noting her continued support for Mr Corbyn after his two general election defeats.
The Batley and Spen seat, which has been under Labour’s control since 1997, became available after the former MP Tracey Brabin was elected first mayor of West Yorkshire on 6 May.
Government announces largest train reforms since privatisation
A new public sector body will control Britain’s railways, the government has announced.
Ministers hope that Great British Railways, which will set fares and oversee contracts with private companies, will end the “fragmentation” of the UK’s railways.
“I am a great believer in rail, but for too long passengers have not had the level of service they deserve,” the prime minister said.
Jon Stone has the details:
Rory Sullivan20 May 2021 09:13
Foster to meet PM for last time as first minister
Arlene Foster will meet the prime minister for the final time before she steps down as Northern Ireland’s first minister.
Their discussions in Downing Street today will likely centre on issues surrounding the protocol.
Ms Foster will be suceeded by Edwin Poots, who has vowed to get rid of the protocol.
Rory Sullivan20 May 2021 08:53
Inside Politics
Boris Johnson has told the 1922 committee of Tory backbenchers that he is “cautiously optimistic” lockdown will be lifted on 21 July, despite concerns about the spread of the B.1.617.2 variant.
Here’s Adam Forrest with this and today’s other main political stories:
Rory Sullivan20 May 2021 08:33
‘Levelling up’ pledge will fail without greater transparency, PM warned
The prime minister’s vow to “level up” the country will fail without a coherent plan, a group of peers has warned.
The Lords political services committee said Boris Johnson should cancel spending cuts, devolve power and stop “political bias” in the allocation of funds.
In a letter to Mr Johnson, the committee said a lack of transparency over the plans “risks undermining public trust in levelling up”.
Mark Pawsey, a Tory MP on the business committee, also believes the government’s strategy must be clearer. “I’m struggling to understand, because we haven’t got any metrics, where we need to be,” he said.
Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick reports:
Rory Sullivan20 May 2021 08:13
Losing next by-election will mean ‘curtains’ for Starmer, Abbott claims
Keir Starmer’s leadership of the Labour Party could be over if it loses the upcoming Batley and Spen by-election, Diane Abbott has claimed.
Writing in The Guardian, the Corbyn ally took a swipe at Mr Starmer after the crushing defeat in Hartlepool earlier this month.
She said: “This West Yorkshire constituency has different demographics from Hartlepool.
“Support from the large minority ethnic electorate may enable the party to hold the seat and Starmer to hang on as Labour leader.
“But if Labour loses again, it must surely be curtains for him.”
Rory Sullivan20 May 2021 07:55
Good morning, and welcome to The Independent’s rolling politics coverage.
Rory Sullivan20 May 2021 07:51
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