Batley & Spen by-election

I would like to see the LibDems and Greens stand down in support of Labour in the Batley and Spen by-election, especially if Jo Cox's sister is the Labour candidate.

I'd forgotten all that terrible use of words in the run-up to Jo Cox's murder, like betrayal, traitor, enemies, etc.

Let's hope a Tommy Robinson-type doesn't stand as a candidate to whip-up emotions.

I agree MayBee. I was so shocked at Jo Cox's murder, but thought it must show that we could not let these people win - and yet they did.

I still can’t believe that Jo Cox’s death didn’t result in far more reaching effects or that people didn’t understand how dangerous people like Farage were at whipping up hatred and racism. I’d love to see her sister in parliament if only to make people remember what happened to Jo and do everything possible to prevent something like that ever happening again. It still horrifies me.

I agree growstuff. She has already taken on the Prime Minister from outside parliament for taking her sisters name "in vain" after he was slammed by MPs for his "dangerous" and "inflammatory" language in the Commons. [The Sun]

Kim is a real people-person with a background in sales and then 15 years working in the health and fitness industry.

Through her previous and ongoing work as a lecturer in higher education and personal trainer, she has always taken a holistic approach to people’s well-being, with a passionate, empathetic and positive attitude to life.[Kim Leadbeater - Greenbelt]

Having watched a couple of videos of Kim Leadbetter and read some interviews with her, she could be a very good choice for Labour and, if elected, as an MP. She certainly seems to be a person who gets things done, connects with people and genuinely cares about her community.

Good luck to her. I hope she's elected.

Yes you are right Pippa she has not be selected yet as far as I know.

I thought she was hoping to stand and the LP had not decided yet.

Leadbeater is the most high-profile name to emerge so far as a potential candidate and she is expected to be a popular choice among local Labour members, who will choose their candidate from a shortlist in the coming weeks.

www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/may/12/jo-coxs-sister-says-she-would-be-honoured-to-stand-for-labour-in-batley-and-spen

Great good luck to her and I agree, after all the family has had to cope with she is very brave.

I to be honest think she is political. She has done amazing work with the Jo Cox Foundation.

Here she is. Kim Leadbette.
Good luck to her.

The previous MP, Tracy Brabin, had no political experience at all except as a supporter of the Labour Party. She was a shadow minister in the last parliament and has now been elected Mayor.

Maybe Batley and Spen would like somebody local and capable, with the interests of the constituency at heart. We'll have to wait and see.

She may well (deservedly) get the ‘sympathy vote’. I expected a shoo in for Tory but maybe not, now. What a brave woman. Her sister would have been very proud of her.

I think the voters there may well prefer somebody with a bit of political know how GrannyGravy
Yes Casdon I do think there is an element of bravery in the decision, as you say, her mother must be worried.

*Nees *News

Mrs Leadbetter is the founder of the Jo Cox Foundation and Chair of the off shoot networking group More in Common, the article in the Batley & Birstall Nees doesn’t list any other political interests.

Regardless of that don’t you think it’s a brave thing to do lemongrove? I don’t think that many would have that level of courage, I’m glad I’m not her mother, I’d worry every day.

Has she been in local politics for long?
The voters in Batley & Spen will make their own minds up who they wish to vote for, and it could be another wake up call for the Labour Party.

That’s a courageous thing to do when your sister was killed by an extremist when doing the same job.