Keir Starmer vows to fight on despite humiliation of Green by-election win

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to “keep on fighting” despite Labour’s humiliating defeat in the Gorton and Denton by-election. The Prime Minister faces intense pressure to shift his party to the left or resign after Labour came third behind Zack Polanski’s Greens and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the previously rock-solid Greater Manchester constituency. But speaking to reporters, he acknowledged it was a “disappointing” result and that voters were “frustrated”, but insisted he would carry on. Asked if he had considered resigning, Sir Keir said: “I came into politics late in life to fight for change for those people who need it. “I will keep on fighting for those people for as long as I’ve got breath in my body.” Sir Keir also pledged to “fight against extremes in politics” on both the left and the right that threatened to “tear our country apart”. In a message to Labour MPs, some of whom face a challenge from the Greens in their own seats, Sir Keir acknowledged the result “hurts” but he sought to play down its wider impact, insisting Mr Polanski’s party would not be able to mount a similar campaign on a national scale. Subscribe to The Standard: https://www.standard.co.uk/register for latest breaking news from the UK, US and around the world, plus podcasts and features. Evening Standard on socials: Check out our full video catalog: youtube.com/channel/UC7RQon_YwCnp_LbPtEwW65w?sub_confirmation=1 Videos, daily editorial and more: https://www.standard.co.uk/ Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/TheLondonStandard Follow us on Twitter: x.com/theLDNstandard and Instagram: instagram.com/thelondonstandard