Labour MPs demand ‘post-mortem’ into local election performance
2 min read
Labour MPs have called for an inquest after the party fell short of expectations in the local elections.
Despite gaining 62 more seats and winning control of three councils, Labour failed to seize other targets.
The party had been hopeful of winning Barnet in north London, but failed as Jewish voters deserted them over the ongoing anti-Semitism row.
Labour also fell short in the Tory councils of Wandsworth, Westminster, and Kensington and Chelsea.
Although the party did win control of Tower Hamlets, Kirklees and Plymouth councils, critics said they were not making enough progress.
Jess Phillips, the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, said: “The anti-semitism problem has been a problem [for Labour] in big metropolitan areas like London and Birmingham.
“The Labour Party has to look at the results, have a really honest strategy about it to improve it, a real hard honest look at itself.”
Chuka Umunna, the Labour MP for Streatham, said: “From a Labour point of view there needs to be a proper post-mortem - I think the national executive committee should appoint somebody to do that - on this result. "We haven't gone forwards and if we are looking to form an election-winning majority, we cannot be confident of that happening based on the results yesterday.
"We outperformed expectations at the general election last year, but the fact of the matter is that Labour didn't win the general election.
"You would expect after eight years of Tory government and in the wake of the resignations of several senior ministers... Labour to be making far greater gains.
"Either we can pat ourselves on the back and celebrate not winning as a victory, or we focus ruthlessly on how we can make sure that we advance social democratic values and build a fairer, more equal Britain by winning the next general election."
But Jeremy Corbyn insisted Labour had enjoyed a “solid set of results”.
He said: “"In a sign of how worried they are about Labour’s advance, the Tories talked up our chances to unrealistic levels, especially in London. The results show they're right to be worried.”
Overall, Labour won 2,323 setas, the Conservatives won 1,330 (down 32), the Lib Dems won 536 (up 75), the Greens won 39 (up eight) and Ukip won three (down 123).
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