Starmer hails 'historic campaign' after Blackpool South victory, as Labour win dozens of council seats
3 May 2024, 09:13 | Updated: 3 May 2024, 11:53
Keir Starmer has hailed a "historic" campaign in Blackpool South, where Labour efeated the Conservatives, after a night where his party also won control of several local councils.
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Speaking at a rally in Blackpool after Chris Webb's victory, Sir Keir said "a message has been sent directly to the prime minister, because this was a parliamentary vote."
He said: "This was directly to Rishi Sunak to say we're fed up with your decline, your chaos, and your division, and we want change. We want to go forward with Labour."
Sir Keir added: "This is a good set of results for us, and there's no denying that the mood of the country now is for change, and I think it's for the prime minister to allow the country to express that change now in a general election."
He added: "That wasn't just a little message, that wasn't just a murmur, that was a shout
"We want change, and Blackpool speaks for the whole country. It says we have had enough now after 14 years of failure, 14 years of decline. We need to turn the page and start afresh with Labour, which has a positive plan for the country."
The Labour leader admitted that his party's stance on the Israel-Gaza war had affected some local election results, after the party lost Oldham in the north-west.
"There are some places where that's a very strong factor, and I understand that and respect that," he said.
Labour's campaign manager Pat McFadden admitted Gaza was "an issue" for Labour "in some parts of the country".
"I think there's no point in me coming in your programme and denying that it's the case," he told LBC's Nick Ferrari. "I'm not surprised that people have strong feelings about this issue. And so many thousands of innocent people have been killed. And people want it to stop. And we do too."
The Blackpool South win saw a huge 26% swing to Labour, who secured a majority of 7,607.
It was the third biggest swing from the Conservatives to Labour at a by-election since the Second World War.
Sir Keir and deputy leader, Angela Rayner were also joined at the rally by new MP, Chris Webb.
It follows heavy Tory losses and 'seismic' Labour wins in local authorities across the country, with mayoral votes still to come.
The party also took Rushmoor - known as "the home of the British Army" - despite it being run by the Tories for the past 24 years, among several other local authority victories.
Sir Keir said earlier that the Blackpool win was "the most important result today".
"This is the one contest where voters had the chance to send a message to Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives directly, and that message is an overwhelming vote for change," he said.
"The swing towards the Labour Party in Blackpool South is truly historic and shows that we are firmly back in the service of working people.
"I am so proud of the positive campaign we ran. To those who have put their trust in us in Blackpool, and those considering giving Labour their vote, we are ready to serve your interests.
"Our new Labour MP Chris Webb has shown that after years of neglect with the Tories, there is a better alternative. The message to Rishi Sunak is clear. It’s time for change, it’s time for a general election."
The by-election was triggered after Mr Benton resigned in the wake of a lobbying scandal.
Labour won with 10,825 votes distantly followed by the Conservatives' David Jones who received 3,218. The 26.33 per cent swing was the third-biggest from the Conservatives to Labour at a by-election since the Second World War.
Reform UK gave the Tories a run for their money coming close behind in third with 3,101 votes.
Speaking after his win, Mr Webb said: "People no longer trust the Conservatives. Prime Minister: do the decent thing, admit you've failed and call a general election."
