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Watch: Starmer admits Runcorn loss ‘disappointing’

(Photo Henry Nicholls - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

It’s been an eventful day – and there are still many more local election results to go. After a long night in Runcorn, and a full recount, Nigel Farage’s Reform party clinched the win in what had been a Labour safe seat by just six votes – securing a fifth parliamentarian and their first female MP. While the Reform lot could hardly contain their glee, the Labour team struggled to disguise their dejection. Now Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made his first statement on the result, admitting to reporters that ‘the results are disappointing’ for the reds. Talk about an understatement…

Going on the PM insisted:

I could stand here and say to you ‘opposition parties always do well in elections like this. It was very close in Runcorn. Etcetera, etcetera.’ What I want to say is my response is: we get it. We were elected in last year to bring about change.

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Steerpike
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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