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Batley Labour frontrunner’s bizarre Netanyahu theory

Tracy Brabin and Keir Starmer by Ian Forsyth-Pool/Getty Images

Following the election of Tracy Brabin last week to the West Yorkshire mayoralty, a by-election is set to be held in the Red Wall constituency of Batley and Spen. The seat in question boasts a Labour majority of just 3,525 votes with local Tories licking their lips at the prospect of another Conservative gain in this 59.6 per cent Leave seat, following the Hartlepool result.

With this in mind, Mr S thought he would take a look at some of the names doing the rounds to be Labour’s next candidate. One guide produced by LabourList, the house website of the left intelligentsia, suggests Labour’s leadership is ‘keen’ on Councillor Salma Arif. The news site reports that the shortlist  isset to ‘be drawn up in her favour’ with the party machine ‘already working in her favour’ according to sources.

If this is the case, Arif might want to delete some of her old Facebook posts.

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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