Starmer: I'll do whatever it takes to burst Tories' balloon

KEIR Starmer has said he will do “whatever is necessary” to rebuild trust in Labour following a shattering defeat for the party in the Hartlepool Westminster by-election.

- TORCUIL CRICHTON

Boris Johnson’s Tories overturned a 2019 general election majority of 3500 to take the north-east of England seat, which had been Labourheld since it was formed in 1974, with a majority of 6940.

After seeing another pillar of the “red wall” fall to the Tories, Starmer said his party needs to “stop quarrelling among ourselves” and address the needs of the country.

He said Labour had “lost the trust of working people” after a grim set of local election results.

With Labour braced for further damaging losses in the English council elections, Starmer added that he was determined to address the problems.

He said: “I’m bitterly disappointed in the result and I take full responsibility for the results and I will take full responsibility for fixing this.