Batley and Spen: Keir Starmers Last Chance

Weeks after losing Hartlepool to the Tories, Labour has another major test in the Batley and Spen byelection. This is the constituency once represented by Jo Cox murdered by a far right terrorist in 2016 and it s a diverse community. But many voters feel disillusioned with the current main opposition, not least British Muslims, 86 of whom voted Labour nationally in 2019 but who feel that loyalty is not reciprocated. With the controversial George Galloway standing, some are determined to vote for him to give Labour a bloody nose. How much further does Labour s electoral coalition have to fragment as its naturally most loyal voters feel taken for granted I visit the constituency to speak to everyone from George Galloway to Andy Burnham presumed to be a likely successor as Labour leader to Kim Leadbeater, Labour s candidate, to local voters to work out what s happening to the opposition and where that leaves our crisisstricken country. Videographer: Jack Barraclough.