Batley and Spen: Keir Starmer's Last Chance?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- Weeks after losing Hartlepool to the Tories, Labour has another major test in the Batley and Spen by-election. This is the constituency once represented by Jo Cox - murdered by a far right terrorist in 2016 - and it's a diverse community. But many voters feel disillusioned with the current main opposition, not least British Muslims, 86% of whom voted Labour nationally in 2019 but who feel that loyalty is not reciprocated. With the controversial George Galloway standing, some are determined to vote for him to give Labour a bloody nose. How much further does Labour's electoral coalition have to fragment as its naturally most loyal voters feel taken for granted?
I visit the constituency to speak to everyone from George Galloway to Andy Burnham - presumed to be a likely successor as Labour leader - to Kim Leadbeater, Labour's candidate, to local voters to work out what's happening to the opposition - and where that leaves our crisis-stricken country.
Videographer: Jack Barraclough.
Please like, subscribe - and help make these documentaries happen here: / owenjones84
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I'll consider subscribing if you promise to get rid of the dreadful music.
@@subvert47 came here to say the same thing. Absolutely dreadful. Jazz lounge muzak. Can we have an Owen Jones You Tube channel music committee where we can democratically decide what we hear
Vote George, ditch Labour. I was campaigning for George in Batley yesterday, he's very popular. The Labour candidate seems as deep as a thimble.
Jones is a patronising so and so
@@antonyware9887 hi Antony, what do you think is patronising about this video? i thought it was quite balanced and showed why people would vote Galloway over Leadbeater. I'm from Batley so would like to get all views of people that live there, I'm fully aware its a complex issue
That wise old man in the flat cap at the start has really brought some hope to my heart
Me too .
same here!!
Too right bro.
Most people care about the same thing in life like jobs, family, health, it’s the mainstream media that wants us divided
@@ksattar3181 spot on but not most or boris wouldnt have another person vote for him after 150,000 dead
2:05 - I watched that full Mandelson interview the other day. Surreal. He claimed that Labour had lost touch with its heartland roots since 2015. I thought, _"Just how in touch were those careerist Blairite suits for all those years?"_ Truly laughable.
I do legit fear for our democracy, though. Labour's crisis is existential.
those career blairites didnt lose sedgefield, hartlepool etc
@@ftr841 I thought Mandelson was chief advisor in Hartlepool? Being the ex MP too
@@ftr841 Of course not. The Tories were an exhausted zombie party during Blair's reign.
@@BradAaronTaylor because of blair etc
@@ftr841 And because of almost two decades in office, ending in sleaze and abject humiliation. Labour lost touch before 2015, that's for certain.
The backstabbing of Jeremy Corbyn is the straw that broke the camels back
It's not so much that they stabbed Corbyn in the back but that they stabbed the members and voters in the back. The Labour establishment have shown that they are more concerned with beating their voters than the Tories
Funny how when Corbyn was leader I kept hearing everyone saying how he's destroyed the Labour Party and now when he's gone everyone saying that it's become just a tory wannabe.... make your mind up voters!
Far Right Far Right - gives it a rest Owen. Everything will appear Far Right when you are Far Left.
Yep and everything will appear Far Left when you are Far Right....🤷♂️
She is far right. What, are you actually pretending she isn't?
@@mixodorians12 'she' who are you referring to? The subject is focused on Owen Jones.
Kier Starmer is already done as Labour leader , most people already know it .
he’s just gonna be the last one to admit to himself
It’s just a shame that the only people who don’t know it is the labour MPs
Still somehow managed to cling on...
Andy Burnham pretending to be shocked that people would rather have him than Keir.
Does Burnham understand that that is what Corbyn did and Starmer has trashed it.
Say what you like about Galloway, but unlike the Labour Party, he has been consistent over the years on Palestine, and many voters can see that. Kim's answers on Palestine were pathetic: no clear answer on arms sales, "people are suffering"..."more complicated than that..."..."We need to get those talks going..." What talks? Israel does not talk because it knows it doesn't have to as it has all the power. It can and does anything it likes without impunity.
Consistent on Palestine. Everything else he picks and chooses to suit his audience
I like Kim but Labour Party needs a shake up. The Blairite nonsense needs to be left in the 90's.
replaced with?
@@captainlockheed Working-class MPs who are not political ladder climbers and have had actual jobs and didn't meet each other doing a politics, philosophy and economics degrees in Oxford
@@johnberesford9906 Labour membership is overwhelmingly middle class and graduate. Chances of finding a blue collar Labour leader with national appeal is nil. They'd be sniffed out by party watchdogs for ideological impurity.
@@johnberesford9906 Like Jess Phillips. Everyone who loves Corbyn forgets that he's the definition of a career politician (not an Oxbridge grad though!)
Jess Phillips isn't working class.
The Labour candidate is awful.
Andy burnham ‘build from the bottom up’ errr that was what corbynism was
Corbyns legacy. He has the best proposals. He is still the real leader.
Hugo Burnham for President!
@Keith Panton ALL THE WAY with GALLOWAY!!!!
@@lizshephard2964 We need a compassionate decent understanding socialist leader who can also kick someone's face in.
OMG, can that elderly gent in the flat cap be my grandad please?
People are sick of Blair/starmer
Hoping for a Galloway victory and a bloody nose for Starmer (again).
More Tory then? Cheers.
@@dominicoswestry4403
If I was a Tory, I would want the Tory candidate to win. I don't. I want George to because he stands for old Labour values, he's in tune with what really matters to working class constituents and backed Brexit when few in the Labour Party did.
Splitting the vote will only hurt labour, but since i'm a tory voter, go ahead xD
@@TremaLord
There's no way I would vote for that woman who's standing for Labour. Typifies all that's wrong with the party. George is the real Labour candidate.
@@bloodboughtbigphilr8266 whats wrong with 'that woman'?
5:03 I got a tear in my eye after hearing this person’s compassion for others - it was such a welcome contrast after the bigot that was interviewed beforehand.
Starmer's labour only cares about MANNERS! VOTE GALLOWAY!
Its nice to get an insightful look into this by-election from the ground floor where you're interviewing the locals and trying to understand why George Galloway has made enough in-roads in the constituency to damage Labour's chances.
Its especially nice to get this in before the election, because on the day after all we're going to hear is "this is the fault of Jeremy Corbyn and the left".
Tbf, Labour has damaged itself. For Galloway to even be a threat shows how far it has declined under Starmer
So the Labour candidate claims to be Batley through and through early in this piece, yet when Owen politely and openly asks her for specific policy commitments (eg arms sales) she is unable to commit to anything other than "listening". If she has lived there all her life, surely she should have listened enough to form a view by now. This sums up why many people are unable to vote Labour right now under Starmer. It is is hard to vote for thin air.
What is special about Batley that means people have to know the intricacies of the Israel-Palestine conflict? Even the people who live in Palestine don’t know how to solve it.
@@fedelede2 Owen didn't ask the Labour candidate for an intricate solution. Owen asked whether the UK should sell arms to a country who is using arms to commit crimes. There are difficult questions to ask about Israel and Palestine but, if a politician refuses to answer the easy questions, how can they be trusted to tackle the tough ones.
You completely glossed over the fact that the teacher is currently in hiding for his life.
It is Owen Jones. What did you expect?
Did you ask what the future for openly Gay men in Batley and Spen? Those who don't have the funds to move away and escape?
I never thought i'd type this, but if losing means Starmer goes then I'm all for it.
"people are gonna turn up here with their own agendas and their own egos" *cut to George Galloway poster*. Owen, you need to pay your editor more, top notch!
I wasn't sure about the smooth jazz.
GALLOWAY is the MAN! GG for the win!
Didn’t Owen Jones also change his position on Brexit???
I too remember him being for leave before the referendum
@@mcdonaldpuddin
I read a decent article of his before the referendum presenting a left wing leave case but of course he did an about turn and not only backed Remain but became a Remoaner.
@@bloodboughtbigphilr8266 At least some on the Left had a plan. The Tories had none and that's why it's been a disaster. The Tories can only organise to win elections, but have no plans beyond that or how to govern in any coherent or strategic way, whilst using the confusion to line the pockets of billionaires of our money.
Labour Candidate can't say arms sales to Israel. Why not? What a joke? Great film. Thank you.
I meant she can't say stop selling arms to Israel.
Labour seem hopeless
that bald guy at 4:34 sounded more like a parody of an Islamophobe rather than a real person
The purest example of the lumpen reactionary Brit.
...and yet he is a real person, and is somehow free to walk about and make his own decisions. Absolutely terrifying!
This is a hard watch, and I don't just mean because of TH-cam advertising me hair loss solutions lol. That racist man early on in the video really made my blood boil and seeing people vote for Cat Man is really depressing. It's really depressing me seeing what Keir and Mandelson have done to Labour.
Vs what the previous leadership done to Labour?
@@danielwebb8402 Say what you will about the previous leadership but at least the party wasn't losing by-elections as the opposition.
Made your blood boil, because you can't hear facts when they go into your brain.
@@davidparry5310
Indeed.
Corbyn was a great PM after his two wins and implemented all his policies.
If you think 2 by-elections > 1 general election then knock yourself out.
@@danielwebb8402 The point, which has obviously gone way over your head, is that it never bodes well for an opposition party when they lose parliamentary by-elections, and also underscores how disastrously the party is faring electorally.
I love how dishonest Owen Jones is. No doubt left leaning parties are slowly loosing their deposits everywhere. He calls the People talking against the ill-treatment of the Batley school teacher extremists but not the ones who actually threatened that teacher.
I joined the Labour Party under Corbyn (the first time I had ever felt compelled to join a political party ever) purely because I felt he had the passion. Yes, he made a mistake with Brexit, and not being clear where he stood, but I think he was trying to achieve the impossible by trying to keep everyone happy.
But it's so sad to watch Starmer undoing all of Jeremy's hard work that he fought for, keeping hold of difficult seats etc.
Say what you like about Jeremy, but he did a lot better than what Starmer's currently doing.
Kim doesn't get it, she can't even clearly state at least HER position would be to STOP arm sales !
She'd be outright lying if she claimed that would be her position.
@@theoilandgasresourceportal2132 ????
The first guy 😬😳
The second guy restores my faith in humanity though
Fantastically edited & researched documentary - did you get the name of the fella in the flat cap? he needs a mention in Batley local!
Indeed he does.
He's called Mr Malcolm Haigh, he's a Batley historian
The way the Labour candidate answered the question on Palestine is ridiculous. Labour doesn't deserve the vote for being so so so bad. Labour isn't Labour anymore and they don't know what they want to be except obsolete.
Exactly. Crazy how there are still politicians who don't get that fitting the stereotype is the best way to lose votes
I’m sorry , Kim Leadbetter just sounds like another professional politician.
All of 2 weeks experience.
@@PeteWilliamsFL Words that Starmer should heed: 'Lead better'
Why didn't Kim and the conservatives bother to turn up to the Batley and Spen hustings? Only George Galloway turned up, this tells you a lot.
Was this an official hustings, or put on by Galloway/WPB ?
@@rachel.mcgowan it's free and easy to Google, don't take my word for it.
Well given the video is on his channel I'd guess the hustings was organised by his supporters.
I feel so sorry for those local people in the film who are putting their trust in Galloway: he doesn't care, he's a shameless opportunist with a massive ego to feed!
Yep, he succeeded with this sort of campaign in Bradford, did nothing for the constituency, was swiftly booted out at the next election.
Vaingloriou Galloway
Galloway is just an opportunist. He doesn’t give a damn about anyone except himself. If he doesn’t win he’ll disappear from Batley over night, never to be seen from again.
And that's different from any other politician?
@@TwistyThreeFifty Yes ... but not Boris.
Like Starmer is some kind of saint. GALLOWAY ALL THE WAY!
@@666marquis No one mentioned Starmer. He isn’t standing to be elected in this area.
@@the_9ent All the WAY with GORGEOUS GEORGE GALLOWAY!!!
It's a shame the Labour candidate has no policy to offer the constituents. Labour is a vacuum that will be filled by right-wing rhetoric. It is doomed
if you want YOUR country back people of batley.............then VOTE ENGLISH DEMOCRATS the only CONSTITUTIONAL PARTY
1:20 that's not Batley that's Newtown in Birmingham..I've lived in both places lol
25:20 - Lol, she doesn't have any qualifications other than being Jo Cox's sister.
@Keith Panton Having a degree in a certain subject does not make you qualified to run a country. Being in the world of work and having a reasonable amount of success in it or being involved and successful in political campaigning or community organising does.
Gosh. She couldn’t even say we should stop arms sales to Israel. Goodness me that’s hopeless.
You should have asked Kim the same question you asked Paul Williams, for a single Labour policy. Not her fault but she still wouldn't be able to answer.
Seems like a pointless question then, doesnt it?
@@idiotickidful That is the point ...
George Galloway ...like him or not ...And used to like him more than now ...just watch him ,in America some years ago ... CLASSIC GEORGE ....but he is right , pricks like starmmer ( my words ) should be binned ...if for no other reason as Keith starmmer is a TORY ...go George go ....
Pandering to the Ms… jeez
Kick out starmer and get a leadership challenge going
sick of him
Starmer last chance how many chances does he want
Unfortunately Mr Burnham has it wrong. Its not an emotional connection the LP has lost with members and Labour voters its a political connection its has badly lost. Please stop listening to the prince of darkness .. .. ..
Personally, I don't care more about Palestinians than I do about Brazilians, the Germans etc. I care about freedom, I care about not having my taxes going to further the oppression and systemic eradication of innocent people. If our government actively helps a nation to commit atrocities, what hope do we have, to trust our government is going to help its own people? This goes further than religion, this is about the systemic apartheid in which Britain implemented back in the 1920's with the Balfour declaration.
I'd wager the mindset you interviewed at 4:40 is probably more common than you would be willing to admit amongst so called "Old Labour" voters. This just shows how out of touch London is with the rest of the UK. The Tories know this and are cynically capitalising on that faux nationalism that came with the Brexit vote. In an ideal world we'd all get on as the delightful old man says at 5:10, but we know human nature doesn't work like that. Or at least, the sensible amongst us do. The place feels like a lost outpost. Both sides need to integrate, but how on earth can that take place where there's zealots like Galloway denting any hope of that.
"Oppostion parties do better in by-elections"
EXACTLY
Labour under Starmer does not OPPOSE
So many people want something different, but can't stop arguing about it to decide what.
At this point, the UK is basically a one party system, I don't see the Tories losing power for at least another decade, makes me sad.
The only way to remove the Tories is a small party coalition with labour to end FPTP, I prefer ranked choice as it fits the UK model best, A New labour style coalition is better than 10 more years of ERG government.
"Contentious characters come in and capitalise on these divisions" lol they most certainly do!
@Perry Bee I'll second that .. .. ..
Says the MP who's running on being the sister of an MP murdered by a guy railing against mass immigration lol.
@@cockoffgewgle4993 she didn't say it
Flat cap guy. What a legend.
4:35 to 5:02 is depressing but 5:03 to 5:39 restores faith.
The minute Kim said "two state solution" it was obvious she's not been listening to people!
It’s the only reasonable solution though isn’t it? How the hell would a one party Israel/Palestine possibly work? That would lead to endless violence. The only solution is to stop the Israeli oppression and to stop Hamas inflaming the situation. We need to stop arms sales and to demand an end to settlements, but we must support a benevolent Israeli state.
Two state solution is the best solution and the one put forward by the UN.
The two state solution will never work because Israel will have to give control and they won’t. Look at their actions and not what they preach
Their currently building thousands of houses per day on future Palestinian state. Does that sound like their interested in two state solution? Or the fact the two state solution peace talks have gone on for 25 years and nothing has changed?
Talking about two state solution with no action is like watching paint dry.
@@hajimaster21 I don't disagree that Israel currently have to start changing their behaviour, but if their behaviour changed, then a two state solution could be possible and would be preferable to the certain mass violence in the case of a one state Israel or Palestine.
There is no better option, as sad as that is.
@@tomh2121 two state solution would be to create two ethnostates.
The fact her name on her badge is bigger than the Labour party says something.
And the fact the posters are purple, not red.
Outstanding documentary Owen. The sooner MPs from all factions in the Labour Party realise that this isn't about socialism vs centrism but about having a Labour Party capable of keeping it's voting coalition together and not losing even more seats to the Tories the better.
Starmer OUT NOW or Labour will have less than 150 MPs in 2024. Leadership election NOW!
Starmer gets battered everywhere he goes, everywhere he goes.
“It’s far more complicated “- please make it simple.
Alas poor Keef, I knew him well...
Left parties need to nominate one party to stand against the Tories in Batley, otherwise, Tories may win it. This is the ongoing voting story in England: left parties split the votes and Tory wins.
It's too late for that. Nominations have already closed, you can't change the candidates now.
Starmer's Labour isn't remotely left, would be better off destroyed if the Labour right can't be cleared out.
@@mizofan you certainly seem to want this to happen.
Corbyn won it three times , though tbf one of those was with no opposition
After which he was a great PM and implemented all his policies
Pre-Boris.
@@agt155 He won it in 2019 but the Brexit Party didn't stand
@@samjoshi1812 You are right. I forgot Corbyn lost two elections.
Labour show even more contempt than the Tories. How saddening. At least the Tories can be bothered to find a boogeyman to hide the fact they don't care.
What does Labour stand for?, what does Sir Kneelalot stand for? does any one know?
🤔
The man at 5:22 is a genius; let's just talk, love it!
Owen, you better have a follow up if George has to eat his hat ...
Well well well, this aged ... well!
On with the follow up interview.
Hat laced with mousetraps! I actually like George. 😀
"we have to stop the suffering that is going on there" - Helen
"Arms sales - not sure?" - Jones
"more complicated than that" - Helen
And that's how Labour loose this seat
And they should. Unfortunaely no real alternative.
Her name is Kim
Wow! Look at how the tables have turned now.
I’m beginning to think that I probably won’t see a labour majority for decades to come
There will never again be a Labour majority Govt.
The very big challenge to for the party is whether it survives.
This is one of the best videos I've seen on this channel Owen.
Honest, analytical, critical and excellent to see lots of views considered at length. Both politicians and people.
As a Labour Party member, it might be an idea for you to actually go and campaign for the Labour candidate instead of giving soft ball interviews to Galloway.
As a political journalist, Owen should do political journalism.
Did Kim Leadbeater *really* say "moving forward"?!
The locals probably need to start their own party, do they really need new labour?
Nobody needs New Labour.
That old bloke at 5:13 hit the nail right on the head.
Because you?????
I believe that he’s sincere. I believe that he’ll put others well-being ahead of his own. No small thing in an age when the predominant mantra among politicians , feels more like: “Never mind Me Too… Me First”.
Despite all of this, I don’t believe the British electorate will ever send him to Downing Street. It’s a shame.
This place was left behind a long time ago, lived here 52 years , crime, decay and lack of opportunity biggest issue.
Same in every town really
The story of every town outside London and the South East.
labour has not got any answers
Love the man in the flat cap!
Oooh the shade you threw at that barking dog Owen! I saw another side to you then! Great doc. Love these docs you do. You and John Harris are the best at these!
Seriously? John Harris and Owen Jones? You have got to be kidding!
We're Doomed....from Dad's Army's Frazer no longer seems funny.
He is a Grifter he will go from by election to by election ... was he in Scotland the other month
Seeing Owen Jones and George Galloway sitting together just feels right
The conscientious know, that their liberal values are under a very serious threat. So what can you do?
Come on Owen?????
And everybody who disagrees with you is a bigot.
17:17 "it's far more complicated". I don't like that kind of misstrust to people.
A great watch. I hope Labour do lose, like the people in this film, I feel totally unpresented by Starmer. Andy Burnham won as he's a decent, warm and engaging person who gets lots of media coverage. Other candidates do not have that luxury.
I'd be voting for Galloway if I lived here, couldn't stomach voting for either of the big two at the moment.
Why doesn’t Johnson & his cronies just get it over with and declare war on China or start to maintain or improve peoples’ lives ? 😎
Kim Leadbeater talks about people being used and I think that is exactly what is happening. She would be more credible, however, if she weren't standing for a party that has also tried to use people in this campaign with that cringeworthy leaflet about Palestine and Kashmir.
Labour is very much in the middle of an existential crisis. Divided by left and right factions of the party and also indeed by remainers and brexiteers. A lot of red wall constituencies are also under massive pressures after decade long austerity and public sector cuts. Voters see Labour Councils running a situation of managed decline which they cop the blame for. Many Labour Councils are also making large scale planning decisions which are hostile, antagonistic and deeply unpopular. There's a total lack of leadership and policies.
So, Owen Jones. Just watched your contribution to Novara Media and then this. Should I rejoin the Labour Party now, ready for a leadership challenge?
yes
Yes. I have stayed in to vote.
@@OwenJonesTalks GALLOWAY is the ONLY WAY!!!! ALL THE WAY with the great GEORGE GALLOWAY!!!!
@@OwenJonesTalks And choose from a wide range of imperialist centrists?
Great analysis. I think one of the comments by Andy Burnham was bang on the money. In addition to knowing what Labour stands for, being available and working locally whether or not you are in power is vital to regaining support. In our area the Lib Dems have been active for the past 4 or 5 years. They were active at least a year before the local election and have not stopped actively listening and doing in the community. Andy said that what mattered was regional devolution and this is it. When people see action and when politicians get in and can back this up with further resources and access to information then this is a recipe for success.
George Galloway....a man who will readily pish in yer pocket. Punish him by ignoring him.
We are witnessing the death throes of the Labour party. Being part of the Labour party was part of my inheritance right from my grandfather so part of me regrets that but it is thoroughly deserved. The Labour party is dead but the Labour movement lives on.
What a strange man jines is,watch his bizarre body language how very very odd
Decent watch but maybe could have done with more on the & Spen part of the constituency. No mention of Paul Halloran who got 6500 votes there last time out and who looked like one of the biggest factors until Galloway showed up.
Is this a promotion video for the carpetbagger Galloway ?
George Galloway has said if Labour aren't third he'll eat his hat; sounds familiar! Anyone remember what happened when he promised that in Bradford!? I think he reneged on the deal. But I can't remember precisely what it was over. I think it's just part of his ridiculous persona building. I think the irony of the smooth jazz was too subtle and just adds to it.
It was Paddy Ashdown that said it if the SNP got more seats than the Lib dums! Which they did.
@@paulwilson2651 I looked up and was seeing that. I'm not sure if I remembered it wrong. But I thought there was something from Galloway!
SUPER GEORGE GALLOWAY FOR THE WIN!
the man at 4.35 needs reporting to anti terrorism, don't want to see another jo cox on the streets of batley.
1:17 that's not batley and Spen, it's Newtown Birmingham 😭