By-election loss would mean curtains for Keir Starmer

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer capitalises on the John Lewis moment with a trip to a store in Manchester - Credit: PA

Losing the Batley and Spen by-election would mean “curtains” for Labour leader Keir Starmer, former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott has suggested.

Abbott, an ally of left-wing former party leader Jeremy Corbyn, used an article in the Guardian to claim Starmer’s time at the top of the party could be over if he fails to hold on to the West Yorkshire seat this summer.

Pressure is mounting on the opposition leader, who has been in charge since April 2020, following Labour’s loss in the Hartlepool by-election, with Boris Johnson’s Conservatives taking another brick out of the so-called “red wall”.

Abbott 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.”

She talked up the chances of Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham succeeding Starmer, saying another Labour defeat could mean his “time will have come”.

The former health secretary has refused to deny suggestions he could try to make it third time lucky should there be another leadership contest, having lost out in 2010 and 2015.

It comes as the Conservative Party announced its candidate for the Batley and Spen by-election will be Leeds councillor Ryan Stephenson, chairman of the West Yorkshire Tories.

The seat – held by Labour since Tony Blair won power in 1997 – is up for grabs after former MP Tracey Brabin quit Westminster following her election as the first mayor of West Yorkshire.

PA reports that applications are open for the Labour candidacy, with the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to draw up a shortlist on Saturday and members choosing the final pick on Sunday.

It has not yet been announced when the by-election will be held, but speculation is that late July is being considered.

Speaking during a visit to a bus factory in North Yorkshire with London mayor Sadiq Khan, Brabin said she would “move heaven and earth” to make sure Labour won the race.

Kim Leadbeater, sister of murdered former Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox, has announced she will be putting her name forward.

Others rumoured to be interested in standing include Paula Sherriff, the former Labour MP for Dewsbury.

It is understood the selection could have been carried out sooner, but the chaos surrounding the sacking of Angela Rayner as party chairman is thought to have slightly delayed the process.