One of Labour’s metro mayors has warned losses in South Yorkshire are the “canary in the coalmine” – while a north east MP said the party needs a “change of plan” more than a “Plan for Change”
Keir Starmer needs a “change of plan” more than a “Plan For Change”, a Labour MP has said after disappointing results in the local elections.
And one of the party’s metro mayors warned losses in South Yorkshire were “the canary in the coalmine”.
Writing in the Sunday Mirror, South Shields MP Emma Lewell took aim at Labour’s refusal to pay compensation to WASPI women and cuts to Personal Independence Payments.
She said positive moves to improve the NHS and save British steel had been overshadowed by these decisions, as well as slow progress on justice for victims of Hillsborough and the postmasters and infected blood scandals.
READ MORE: OLIVER COPPARD: ‘Reform winning in South Yorkshire is the canary in the coalmine’
“There is a deep disconnect with the public and a growing sense that the two main parties just don’t get it,” Ms Lewell said.
“That is why across the country people are seeking alternatives. The Labour Party doesn’t need to lurch right or left, we need to do what we say we will do and do it in line with our core values and principles of social justice and fairness.”
Nigel Farage ’s Reform UK made major gains in councils and mayoralties in England – vowing to end diversity and environmental programmes in local government.
Farage hailed the results as “the end of two-party politics” and “the death of the Conservative Party ” as Reform picked up 10 councils and more than 600 seats in Thursday’s poll.
But writing in The Times, the Prime Minister insisted there was “tangible proof that things are finally beginning to go in the right direction”, although he said he was not satisfied with where the country was.
READ MORE: EMMA LEWELL: ‘Labour doesn’t need to be welded to a plan for change – we need a change of plan’
He said: “I am acutely aware that people aren’t yet feeling the benefits. That’s what they told us last night.
“Until they do, I will wake up every morning determined to go further and faster.”
But Ms Lewell said: “Strong governments listen to the public and their MPs who are telling them they are making grave mistakes. Strong governments welcome dissent and robust challenge. Strong governments admit mistakes and change.
“We don’t need to be welded to a plan for change that has been so roundly rejected this week by the public, what we need is a change of plan.
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Meanwhile, Oliver Coppard, Labour’s South Yorkshire Mayor, said his region was the “canary in the coal mine” – after people in Doncaster voted for Reform in huge numbers.
“This region, including Doncaster, is one of the poorest places in Northern Europe,” he wrote for the Sunday Mirror. “If this government does not deliver for communities like mine, what happened here this week will be the story we see repeated across the country.”
He acknowledged Mr Starmer’s inheritance had been “dreadful” – but said the party now had 4 local government leaders, 14 MPs, two cabinet ministers and a metro mayor – “so people don’t want to hear about the last lot – they want to see change”.
He added: “From transport to policing, we know what it is people want to see on the ground, and how to make the change they’ve been promised turn into a reality they can see and feel and touch.
“Keir, Rachel and Angela get that. But patience here is in short supply. As the government make some big decisions on spending this summer, voters like those here in South Yorkshire must be at the front of their minds.”