Robert Peston exposes Starmer’s Labour crisis: ‘Corbyn is gone and Brexit is done!’

Starmer asked if Labour has ‘lost touch’ after Hartlepool loss

Labour lost the Hartlepool by-election to the Conservatives by a majority of almost 7,000, it was announced this morning. The area was previously seen as a Labour stronghold and had a Labour MP in Parliament for more than 50 years. Labour held onto the seat in the 2019 general election under Jeremy Corbyn.

The Opposition party also lost a number of local council seats across the country adding more damage to Sir Keir’s leadership.

Now, ITV’s political editor Robert Peston said the values of the voters have now shifted while Labour’s have “diverged”.

He tweeted: “The crisis for Starmer’s Labour in a nutshell.

“They could blame the 2019 landslide defeat on Brexit and Corbyn.

Robert Peston exposes Keir Starmer’s Labour crisis (Image: Getty/ITV)

Sir Keir Stamer, Labour leader (Image: Getty)

“But Corbyn is gone and Brexit is ‘done’.

“Yet the rot – shown by Hartlepool and local elections (so far) – has got worse.

“Voters’ values and Labour’s have diverged.”

Following the disastrous defeat today, Mr Corbyn also launched a scathing attack on his successor.

READ MORE: How many more questions Beth?!’ Boris fires dig at Rigby in Hartlepool

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (Image: PA)

He said: “Tory gains are bad news for jobs, the environment & public services for the many not the few.

“With millions not voting, these results show a loss of hope.

“We must offer a bolder vision to transform people’s lives and give them the confidence to strive for a more equal world.”

Former shadow home secretary, and close ally of Mr Corbyn, Diane Abbott said it is impossible to blame the former Labour leader.

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Sir Keir Starmer’s Brexit U-turns (Image: Express)

She tweeted: “Crushing defeat for Labour in Hartlepool.

“Not possible to blame Jeremy Corbyn for this result.

“Labour won the seat twice under his leadership.

“Keir Starmer must think again about his strategy.”

Jill Mortimer won the Hartlepool by-election (Image: Getty)

Many have attacked Sir Keir and claimed the Hartlepool result proves he and Labour post-Corbyn have not done enough for voters to place their trust in the party.

In 2019, Labour suffered their worst election defeat since 1935 with huge losses among the party’s traditional working-class base.

After becoming leader in April 2020, Sir Keir pledged to reclaim these voters, promising to transform Labour into the patriotic party.

In response to the Hartlepool defeat, a Labour source told Sky News: “We’ve said all along the North East and the Midlands would be difficult.

Labour Hartlepool candidate Paul Williams (Image: Getty)

“We also said the places declaring Thursday would be particularly difficult.

“But, the message from voters is clear and we have heard it. Labour has not yet changed nearly enough for voters to place their trust in us.

“We understand that. We are listening. And we will now redouble our efforts.

“Labour must now accelerate the programme of change in our party, to win back the trust and faith of working people across Britain.

“People don’t want to hear excuses. Keir has said he will take responsibility for these results – and he will take responsibility for fixing it and changing the Labour Party for the better.”