Kim Leadbeater nominated as Labour By-election candidate

[CeramicMX5ND2]

The late Jo Cox's sister Kim Leadbeater has just been announced as the Labour candidate in the Batley and Spen by-election..
Will be interesting to see if she's challenged and if she does win it, will such an emotional occasion for her...
(Source Sky News)

[Vanden Saab]

Why would she not be challenged?

[Earthdweller]

Seems rather a cynical move as I understand it she has only just joined the Labour Party and local candidates have been brushed aside to drop the sister of Jo Cox into the contest for the seat

As tragic as the events of 2016 were .. it should have no bearing on a contest in 2021

Question is what does she offer to the constituency other than being related to a previous MP ?

[Tankrizzo]

Seems a bit....opportunistic, doesn't it.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Vanden Saab said:

Why would she not be challenged?

I don't think Tracey Brabin was challenged in the by election following Jo Cox's murder. But it's 5 years on now, so although I hope she wins, she absolutely should be challenged. And Brabin was challenged in the general election.

[Glade]

I know a politically active chap and was following a thread on his Facebook. Apparently, some local councillors didn't get shortlisted in favour of a couple of non-local entries. The murmurs are it was a "stitch-up", as well respected local candidates were not able to enter... leading to some locals who might not campaign on the party's behalf.

[anonymoususer]

It's designed to tug at the heartstrings.
She should be challenged.
Her sister if I remember was anti Brexit and the constituency voted for it
Without being harsh it suggests her sister was out of step with her constituents views

This may be a masterstroke by Labour or an own goal

[105.4]

Tankrizzo said:

Seems a bit....opportunistic, doesn't it.

A bit?

The sympathy vote and the PR that follows will be milked for every penny.

[Jockman]

This is >really< risky for the Labour Party.

Smacks of a wee bit of desperation.

[pquinn]

So are we going for hereditary seats now or does she have some other qualification for being selected?

[hidetheelephants]

What a meritocracy the Labour Party is.

[chemistry]

And Labour accuse the Tories of cronyism and nepotism...

[Pieman68]

Based on testimony from family and friends that live in the constituency - if she is anything like a match for her sister she will be a good representative. Despite the Brexit juxtaposition she was very well regarded by many

If she's on a par with our new West Yorkshire mayor she will be the worst of identity politics and will attend the opening of an envelope if it presents a photo opportunity

[anonymous-user]

Odds on a Tory win ?

[blackrabbit]

Iwantafusca said:

Odds on a Tory win ?

Lets hope so and voters see this candidate for what she is. A last ditch attempt for Labour to get people to vote based on the "candidate" without thinking of the London student woke policies of the actual party.

[anonymous-user]

Tories are 4/7 , labour 5/4. Not a gambler so does that mean the conservatives are better placed ?

[105.4]

Iwantafusca said:

Tories are 4/7 , labour 5/4. Not a gambler so does that mean the conservatives are better placed ?

Yes, but it’s very close. Both are pretty much ‘even money’, or to put it another way, it’s a coin toss.

[rjfp1962]

Well Kim Leadbeater scrapes it with a 323 vote majority, much to the relief I'd imagine for Keir Starmer...!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-57696431

[Pieman68]

rjfp1962 said:

Well Kim Leadbeater scrapes it with a 323 vote majority, much to the relief I'd imagine for Keir Starmer...!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-57696431

Labour claiming it shows people voting against divisive politics and showing an appetite for change

Majority reduced from 7000 to 300 doesn't read that way to me!

[williamp]

Joining the Labour Party and 8 weeks later is an MP. Is this a record????