Kim Leadbeater: who is new Batley and Spen Labour MP and sister of Jo Cox - and how many votes did she get?

Kim Leadbeater a local campaigner and younger sister of Jo Cox, has won the Batley and Spen by-election for Labour.

Leadbeater, who has said she is the candidate the Tories fear, won the support of Labour members in Batley and Spen to contest the seat, and thanked her team and the police in her acceptance speech.

Who is Kim Leadbetter?

Kim Leadbeater was selected as the Labour candidate to contest Batley and Spen, in the by-election which came about after Tracy Brabin, the sitting MP, resigned to take on the role of West Yorkshire mayor.

Leadbeater grew up in Heckmondwike, in the constituency, and says she has lived in every town with Batley and Spen throughout her life.

Speaking after her selection, Leadbeater said: “I am overwhelmed and humbled by the support and faith from members in Batley and Spen. I’m ready to hit the ground running and take Labour’s campaign to local people.”

She had told members in the meeting she is a “proud Yorkshire woman” who has lived in the constituency her whole life.

She said: “I have a deep understanding of the area, its people and some of the challenges it faces. I feel passionately about the strength there is in such a diverse constituency.”

“I’m the candidate the Tories fear. They know that I have a proven track record of getting things done at a local level and an established reputation for working for all parts of the community.

“We need strong northern voices at Westminster. People rooted in their communities. I will work to represent people across the whole constituency.”

Keir Starmer has expressed his approval at Leadbetter’s selection.

He said: “Her roots in the community will make her a fantastic champion for Batley and Spen, tackling the issues local people are raising.”

“Batley and Spen holds an important place in the Labour party’s heart. And Kim’s work to bring people together, just as her sister Jo Cox did, has inspired us all.

“The people of the constituency know Kim well, admiring her hard work in the community and her determination to build a fairer, kinder society. I look forward to joining her on the campaign trail.”

How many votes did she get?

With Leadbeater as the candidate, Labour won the seat with 35.3 per cent of the vote.

In total, Leadbeater received 13,326 votes, on a turnout of of 37,786, or 47.6 per cent, which is down significantly on the 2019 general election (52,927, 66.5 per cent) although this is not unusual for a by-election.

Leadbeater’s majority is 323, down significantly on the 2019 majority won by her predecessor, Tracy Brabin, of 3525.

Who else stood in the Batley and Spen by-election?

The Conservative candidate for the by-election was Ryan Stephenson, a Leeds councillor and director of an academy trust.

George Galloway, a former MP and controversial activist, also stood, for his party, the Workers Party.

Here is a full list of the candidates that stood in the by-election:

– Paul Bickerdike - Christian Peoples Alliance

– Mike Davies - Alliance for Green Socialism

– Jayda Fransen - Independent

– George Galloway - Workers Party of Britain

– Tom Gordon - Liberal Democrats

– Thérèse Hirst, English Democrats

– Howling Laud Hope - The Official Monster Raving Loony Party

– Susan Laird, Heritage Party

– Kim Leadbeater - Labour

– Oliver Purser - Social Democratic Party

– Corey Robinson - Yorkshire Party

– Andrew Smith - Rejoin EU

– Ryan Stephenson - Conservatives

– Jack Thomson - UK Independence Party (UKIP)

– Jonathan Tilt - Freedom Alliance Supporting Personal Freedom

– Anne Marie Waters - The For Britain Movement