'Tough decisions' take toll on Labour results

SIR Keir Starmer has defended taking “tough decisions” after Labour figures hit out at the party's record in government in the wake of its local election results.

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Reform UK’s Sarah Pochin beat Sir Keir Starmer’s candidate Karen Shore by six votes in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, taking the seat which Labour won with a majority of almost 14,700 less than a year ago. Labour narrowly retained mayoralties in both Doncaster and North Tyneside, with Reform coming a close second. A newly re-elected mayor hit out at Sir Keir’s changes to the winter fuel allowance, hikes to employer national insurance contributions and welfare reforms, while MPs have warned voters want “change”. Sir Keir told Sky News: “The reason that we took