Martin Ivens, Columnist

Keir Starmer’s Struggles Are Far From Over

After a close by-election victory, Labour has to show it can do more than hold the line.

July 3, 2021 at 5:00 AM UTC

Martin Ivens is the editor of the Times Literary Supplement. Previously, he was editor of the Sunday Times of London and its chief political commentator.

Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer and Labour Party's Kim Leadbeater celebrate victory.
Photographer: Oli Scarff/AFP

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Britain’s opposition Labour party clung to its northern constituency of Batley and Spen by 323 votes over Boris Johnson’s Conservatives in a by-election on Thursday night.

This perhaps would not be of vast concern were it not for the showdown signaling a potential Waterloo moment for Keir Starmer. A third defeat in MP contests in as many months would have hobbled Labour’s leader — and emboldened a left-wing faction within the party to foment a coup against him. He can rest easier for now.