Sir Keir Starmer warns ‘policy matters’ after ULEZ blamed for by-election loss in Uxbridge
Labour’s failure to take Boris Johnson’s former seat is a reminder that “policy matters”, Sir Keir Starmer has said – after the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) by London mayor Sadiq Khan was blamed for the narrow loss.
The opposition leader told activists that the Conservatives hanging on to Uxbridge and South Ruislip showed there was “never any reason to be complacent and never a reason to rest on our laurels”.
It was also a reminder “there’s still a long way to go”, he warned – pointing out there was “something very wrong” when a party policy was on “each and every Tory leaflet”.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Rayner blames ULEZ for Uxbridge defeat
Sir Keir has already urged Sadiq Khan to “reflect” on his ULEZ scheme, which is being held widely responsible for missing out on the west London constituency.
Mr Khan was standing by his plan on Friday, although said he would monitor it.
The Conservatives clung on to Uxbridge by just a few hundred votes – massively down on the 7,210 majority that Mr Johnson won less than four years ago – tapping into anger over the move to extend the £12.50 daily charge on cars that do not meet emissions standards.
Newly elected Conservative MP Steve Tuckwell’s victory was the one piece of good news for Rishi Sunak after his party lost the former safe seats of Selby and Ainsty, and Somerton and Frome.
Addressing Labour’s national policy forum in Nottingham, Sir Keir said: “That result in Uxbridge demonstrates there is never any reason to be complacent and never a reason to rest on our laurels.
“It is reminder that in an election, policy matters.
“We are doing something very wrong if policies put forward by the Labour Party end up on each and every Tory leaflet.
“We’ve got to face up to that and to learn the lesson.”
Sir Keir also said Labour needed to show “historic levels of effort, discipline and focus” as he warned of further Conservative attacks in the wake of the Uxbridge by-election campaign.
Read more:
Labour secure record win in Selby and Ainsty
Lib Dems win Somerton and Frome
Conservatives hold Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
‘Sadiq Khan lost Labour this election’
In an apparent reference to a row this week over his refusal to scrap the two-child cap on benefits, he said tackling child poverty and social injustice would be a “massive part” of his mission for government – but commitments could not be unfunded.
Sir Keir said: “We have to go about this step by step, shoulder to shoulder.
“It is a long-term project, a project that will only be realised with credibility and discipline, that understands that spending commitments must always be funded.
“And because they must always be funded, that you can’t just keep piling them on.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
ULEZ expansion ‘difficult but right decision’
He added: “The Tories are watching us, looking for us to slip up.
“Make no mistake – they’ve given up on government, they’ve got no record to defend.
“So next year, whenever that election comes, we know how they will fight it – that is the lesson of Uxbridge.
“All they can do now is oppose Labour, attack our plans, distract from their record.
“So we have to be ready in everything we do, starting today.”
A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an elderly couple died following a fire at their home in St Helens.
Peter Eric Greener, 77, known as Eric, and his partner Sheila Jackson, 83, were caught in the blaze at their home on South John Street in the early hours of Tuesday.
Mr Greener died on Wednesday, while Ms Jackson died on Thursday.
Eric Greener. Pic: Merseyside Police
Sheila Jackson. Pic: Merseyside Police
Merseyside Police said an accelerant was used to start the fire.
On Sunday, the force said the suspect from St Helens had been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning.
Read more from Sky News:
Man tells of dramatic escape from capsized tourist boat
Catching a ‘sadistic’ serial killer
Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: “Although an arrest has been made, I would like to take this opportunity to remind people to pass on information directly to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers, and not to comment or post in any way which jeopardises this ongoing work.”
DS Wilson said “extensive enquiries” continue.
She added: “And to that end we are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward, particularly if you live in the area of South John Street and recall seeing or hearing anything suspicious at around the time of the incident.
“Please do not assume what you know has already been reported to us, as we can quickly make that assessment.”
UK
How e-bike riders are doing double the speed limit – and many of them work for fast food delivery firms
It’s lunchtime on Birmingham’s New Street.
Close to its many restaurants, food delivery riders are congregating on their bikes.
The area is packed with shoppers and workers.
PC Paige Gartlan is approaching with other officers. She’s on the lookout for illegally modified e-bikes – and she knows she’ll find them here.
“You can physically tell by looking at the bike that it’s generally going to be illegal – the battery pack is taped on to the sides and generally the size of the motor that’s on the back wheel,” she explains.
Sky News has been invited on an operation by West Midlands Police to find these bikes and get them off the streets.
PC Gartlan has been hit by one before. She’s had to tackle a rider to the floor after he drove into her.
Within minutes, she’s spotted a suspicious-looking bike. The rider makes a run for it – followed by plain-clothed officers.
PC Gartlan tests the bike – it’s showing a top speed of 52km/hr on the speedometer – just over 30mph.
PC Paige Gartlan with a seized e-bike
The speed limit for e-bikes in the UK is 15.5mph when using electric power for assistance.
I look up the street and another two riders have been detained. In less than an hour, officers have confiscated four bikes – all were being ridden by fast food delivery drivers.
The commotion is attracting a lot of attention.
“They are dangerous,” Sandra, who has just finished work, tells me.
Demoz had his bike taken by police
She’s stood watching the riders being questioned. She says she’s had near-misses herself and is worried for the safety of the elderly and children.
It’s not just West Midlands police officers here – immigration officials are carrying out checks too. They’re involved in a nationwide operation, which has seen more than 7,000 arrests in the last year – a 50% increase on last year.
Matthew Foster, the immigration enforcement lead officer for the West Midlands, tells me they’ve already found one individual who has entered the UK unlawfully.
“He’s been detained,” he says, “to affect his removal from the UK.”
Further down the street, police are loading illegally modified bikes on to a van – they’re destined to be crushed. One of them had belonged to Demoz.
Read more:
Non-folding e-bikes banned on London Tube
E-bike and e-scooter crimes soar 730% in five years
An e-bike seized by West Midlands Police
He’s on his way home, carrying a big box with the logo of one of the main fast food delivery firms on it.
He tells me he used to have an illegal bike, but he thought his new one was legal.
“I make a mistake, I have to say sorry, I will do better for the future,” he says.
I get in touch with the big delivery firms; Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat.
Their representatives say they constantly remind workers of their safety obligations, and that they’re all working closely with the government to increase security checks on riders.
As he leaves, Demoz, now bike-free, tells me he’s thinking of changing his job.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Sports2 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike