Labour MPs and ministers react to party's by-election failure

 

43m ago

16.00 GMT

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/feb/27/gorton-and-denton-byelection-result-labour-green-party-reform-uk-politics-latest-news?page=with:block-69a1bc7c8f083776f34349b5#block-69a1bc7c8f083776f34349b5

 

Labour MPs and ministers react to party's by-election failure

 

As prime minister Keir Starmer comes under renewed pressure following Labour’s by-election capitulation, key figures across the party have voiced their opinions.

 

Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner posted on X:

 

This result must be a wake up call. It’s time to really listen - and to reflect. Voters want the change that we promised - and they voted for.

 

If we want to unrig the system, if we want to make the change we were sent into Government to make, we have to be braver. A labour agenda that puts people first.

 

That’s what all of us across our movement need to rededicate ourselves to this morning.

 

Meanwhile, Clive Lewis called for a “clean break” after the Gorton and Denton by-election, describing the defeat as “a punch in the face”.

 

He told the Press Association:

 

The by-election result is a punch in the face for the Labour party and for Keir Starmer’s premiership. This government has burned its base, alienated its core vote, sidelined its activists and stuck two fingers up to the very people we came into politics to represent - and we’re surprised voters are walking away?

 

Changing the leader without changing the politics would be a waste of time. The problem isn’t presentation. It’s direction. We promised change and delivered continuity. We talk tough but govern timid. We protect vested interests when we should be taking them on.

 

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said the government will “reflect and learn from” Labour’s defeat. She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the result makes her “even more determined” to “deliver change”.

 

She added:

 

You would expect me to say that as a member of the Cabinet, but it makes me even more determined than I have ever been to deliver the change that the country voted for in 2024 and that is an economy where we’ve got investment coming in, where our public services are of a standard that the public deserve and rightly expect, and where we provide opportunity for all.

 

Douglas Alexander, the Scotland secretary, has said Keir Starmer needs to “move further and faster” to address voter anger over his government’s policies after a “tough and disappointing” by election result for Labour.

 

He said:

 

Well, of course it’s a tough and disappointing result for Labour. I’ve seen by elections, I’ve won some and I’ve lost some. Of course, governments tend to lose by elections, but we’ll take time to reflect and consider what this means.

 

My own sense this morning is that we need to move further and faster in delivering the change that people want to see. Given the depth of frustration that voters feel about the challenges they continue to face.