The by-election thread
Discussion
With discussion about the Hartlepool by-election being across a few different threads, I thought it would be helpful to have a dedicated thread to all things by-elections for those interested.
First up, following her election to West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin has to give up her seat as Batley & Spen, formerly Jo Cox’s seat. Unlike Dan Jarvis who is able to act as Mayor and MP, the West Yorkshire Mayor also acts as Police and Crime Commisioner, meaning it can not be held by a sitting MP.
Previously a safe Labour seat, in the 2019 general there was large swing away from Labour and the majority was reduced to ~3,500.
Given the national spotlight the Hartlepool result has got, I expect all parties will be fighting hard.
What will Labour do in this strong Leave area?
- select a local candidate, they have a number of long standing councillors for example?
- select a ‘rising star’ who may not have any connection to the local area?
- Bring in someone like Ed Balls - previously MP for neighbouring Outwood & Morley and loves locally?
What will the Tories do? Google suggests that the previous candidates in the seat have had no connection to the area and have been parachuted in. Certainly in my nearby West Yorkshire constituency this is very common… but with such a high profile race I’m not sure this is the best approach for them, personally.
First up, following her election to West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin has to give up her seat as Batley & Spen, formerly Jo Cox’s seat. Unlike Dan Jarvis who is able to act as Mayor and MP, the West Yorkshire Mayor also acts as Police and Crime Commisioner, meaning it can not be held by a sitting MP.
Previously a safe Labour seat, in the 2019 general there was large swing away from Labour and the majority was reduced to ~3,500.
Given the national spotlight the Hartlepool result has got, I expect all parties will be fighting hard.
What will Labour do in this strong Leave area?
- select a local candidate, they have a number of long standing councillors for example?
- select a ‘rising star’ who may not have any connection to the local area?
- Bring in someone like Ed Balls - previously MP for neighbouring Outwood & Morley and loves locally?
What will the Tories do? Google suggests that the previous candidates in the seat have had no connection to the area and have been parachuted in. Certainly in my nearby West Yorkshire constituency this is very common… but with such a high profile race I’m not sure this is the best approach for them, personally.
Some names emerging as possible Labour candidates, including Jo Cox’s sister Kim Leadbeater and former MP for Dewsbury Paula Sherriff being two high profile names.
Lisa Johnson, the GMB union’s external relations director, who is seen as a key Labour power player, had been tipped for the candidacy but said she was not interested. Salma Arif, a Leeds council cabinet member, has been mooted, as has Habiban Zaman, a Batley East councillor. Dan Howard, a Labour party press officer has also put his name forward.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/may/12/j...
Lisa Johnson, the GMB union’s external relations director, who is seen as a key Labour power player, had been tipped for the candidacy but said she was not interested. Salma Arif, a Leeds council cabinet member, has been mooted, as has Habiban Zaman, a Batley East councillor. Dan Howard, a Labour party press officer has also put his name forward.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/may/12/j...
Chesham and Amersham by-election won by Lib Dems.
This represents a 25% swing, and turns a seat that has been blue ever since it was created for the first time. Labour lost their deposit.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-h...
Excellent Twitter thread by Newsnight’s Lewis Goodall on why and what this means https://twitter.com/lewis_goodall/status/140570626...
This represents a 25% swing, and turns a seat that has been blue ever since it was created for the first time. Labour lost their deposit.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-h...
Excellent Twitter thread by Newsnight’s Lewis Goodall on why and what this means https://twitter.com/lewis_goodall/status/140570626...
Labour activists ‘egged, pushed and kicked’ on Batley and Spen campaign trail
Labour activists in the Batley and Spen by-election have been pelted with eggs and kicked in the head while on the campaign trail, the region’s mayor has said.
Newly elected West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin said she was leafleting with “colleagues, volunteers, campaigners” in the Whitaker Street area of Batley on Sunday when they “were followed, verbally abused and physically assaulted by a group of young men”.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/tracy-brabin-la...
Labour activists in the Batley and Spen by-election have been pelted with eggs and kicked in the head while on the campaign trail, the region’s mayor has said.
Newly elected West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin said she was leafleting with “colleagues, volunteers, campaigners” in the Whitaker Street area of Batley on Sunday when they “were followed, verbally abused and physically assaulted by a group of young men”.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/tracy-brabin-la...
Batley & Spen parliamentary by-election, result:
Lab: 35.3% (-7.4)
Con: 34.4% (-1.6)
WPGB: 21.9% (+21.9)
LDem: 3.3% (-1.3)
York: 2.2% (+2.2)
UKIP: 0.4% (+0.4)
Oth: 2.5% (+2.5)
Labour HOLD.
Source: https://twitter.com/britainelects/status/141081675...
Lab: 35.3% (-7.4)
Con: 34.4% (-1.6)
WPGB: 21.9% (+21.9)
LDem: 3.3% (-1.3)
York: 2.2% (+2.2)
UKIP: 0.4% (+0.4)
Oth: 2.5% (+2.5)
Labour HOLD.
Source: https://twitter.com/britainelects/status/141081675...
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