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Diane Abbott insisted the Batley and Spen by-election win was a “great result” for the Labour movement as she congratulated candidate Kim Leadbeater for her narrow majority. BBC News host Ben Brown repeatedly asked the former shadow Home Secretary whether her party’s latest success also marked a victory for leader Sir Keir Starmer. Mr Brown said: “Is this a real victory for Keir Starmer?”
Ms Abbott said: “It’s a great result for people in Batley and Spen, it’s a great result for the people who led the campaign on the ground because in camping like that, every door you knock on counts.
“Above all, it’s a great result for Kim Leadbeater. And we’re all very happy because we’re socialists.”
The BBC News presenter renewed his line of questioning, saying: “But my question was, is this a victory for Keir Starmer?”
The Labour MP for Hackney once again swerved the question as she replied: “It’s a victory for all the Labour Movement and the Labour Movement is what it’s all about.”
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Once again Mr Brown attempted to get an answer out of the former shadow Home Secretary: “But he’s the leader of the Labour Movement.
“Why are you not agreeing with me that it’s a victory for Keir Starmer?”
Ms Abbott hit back: “Why are you pressing on that point?
“What we need to do know as a Labour Party, as a Labour movement, is stay together, move forward and focus on getting our policy offer right.
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Sir Keir hailed a victory “against the odds” after Labour hung on to win in the Batley and Spen by-election.
Following a contest marked by allegations of violence and dirty tricks, Sir Keir paid tribute to Labour’s “brilliant and brave” winning candidate.
“Kim has shown inspiring resilience in the face of hatred and intimidation. She was unafraid to call it out and ran a positive campaign of hope,” he said.
“We won this election against the odds, and we did so by showing that when we are true to our values – decency, honesty, committed to improving lives – then Labour can win.
“This result shows Labour at its best. This is just the start.”
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