Sadiq Khan Delivers Scathing 'Betrayal' Warning to Keir Starmer After By-Election Loss
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has issued a searing intervention following Labour's defeat in the Gorton and Denton by-election, warning Prime Minister Keir Starmer that attempting to "compete with Reform on the right" constitutes a "betrayal" of the party's core values. In a strongly worded critique, Khan demanded that Starmer "fundamentally rethink" Labour's political approach, arguing that the current strategy is alienating progressive voters.
By-Election Upset Sparks Internal Labour Tensions
The Labour Party suffered a significant setback in last week's by-election when Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer secured a surprising victory in the traditionally Labour stronghold of Gorton and Denton in Greater Manchester. This unexpected result has ignited intense internal debate within Labour ranks about the party's direction and electoral strategy.
In his Guardian column, Khan expressed concern that Labour is taking "liberal, progressive voters for granted" and warned that this approach is clearly flawed. He emphasized that many people who supported Labour in the July 2024 general election are now feeling "angry and frustrated" with the party's current trajectory.
Khan's Critique of Labour's Political Positioning
The London Mayor acknowledged Labour's achievements in areas such as free breakfast clubs, workers' rights, and scrapping the two-child benefit limit, describing this work as "extraordinary." However, he cautioned that these positive developments are frequently "overshadowed by missteps and political positioning" on contentious issues including Brexit, migration, and the Gaza conflict.
Khan contrasted his own approach of speaking out against Donald Trump's rhetoric, acknowledging Brexit's damage, and condemning Palestinian deaths with what he perceives as Labour's current tendency toward silence on such matters. He argued that "staying quiet on these issues and trying to compete with Reform on the right of politics not only feels inauthentic, at a time when authenticity is more prized in politics than ever, but a betrayal of what Labour is supposed to represent."
Leadership Stability Versus Policy Change
While Khan stated he does not want a change in Labour leadership, fearing it would create "political instability at the top of government," he insisted that "there does need to be real change and a vision that provides hope for the future, not doom and gloom." He specifically warned Starmer against labeling the Green Party as "extreme," suggesting this tactic would "only turn more people away" from Labour.
Broader Labour Reactions to By-Election Defeat
The by-election loss has prompted varied responses from across the Labour spectrum. Unison General Secretary Andrea Egan urged the government to "stand up for workers, defend migrants and refugees, and take the fight to Nigel Farage rather than letting him set the agenda." Veteran MP Diane Abbott similarly called for Labour to adopt "more progressive policies on issues such as immigration and asylum."
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to reinforce her controversial asylum plans in an upcoming speech, rejecting both the Green Party's "open borders" policy and what she describes as the "nightmare" alternative presented by Nigel Farage. Her proposals include extending the settlement period for migrant workers from five to ten years, affecting hundreds of thousands of people.
Government Response and Future Outlook
Defence Secretary John Healey acknowledged that voters are "frustrated at the pace of change" but cautioned against overinterpreting a single by-election result. He recalled that the Conservatives lost 20 out of 21 by-elections after 2010 yet went on to win the 2015 general election, suggesting Labour has time to recover before the next national vote.
"We have to read the results right," Healey stated. "We have to redouble our efforts to deliver the sort of change people voted for less than 18 months ago. And remember also, as far as the government goes, we've got three years to restore that confidence that we're there doing a decent job to make the changes that they want to see."
The by-election outcome has clearly exposed significant tensions within Labour regarding how to respond to electoral challenges from both the right and left, with Khan's intervention representing one of the most prominent critiques from within the party's own ranks.
