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Friday evening UK news briefing: Keir Starmer admits Labour 'lost connection' with voters after Hartlepool defeat

Chris Price
·6-min read
Your evening briefing from The Telegraph
Your evening briefing from The Telegraph

Sir Keir Starmer is facing an onslaught from both sides of Labour over its devastating by-election defeat, as the Left mocked his "flag waving and suit wearing" and moderates demanded he talk more about aspiration.

Heavy criticism was heaped on the Labour leader after the party ceded Hartlepool to the Conservatives for the first time since the seat's creation in 1974.

Sir Keir said the party must stop "quarrelling among ourselves" and he is expected to reshuffle his front bench next month. Political Editor Ben Riley-Smith outlines seven uncomfortable questions Labour must answer.

Joe Shute found out why the people of Hartlepool decided to vote Tory, with the town's new MP saying today that Labour "took Hartlepool for granted" for 47 years.

Yet Tony Diver details how Jill Mortimer, pictured below left alongside Boris Johnson and a giant blow up version of the PM, could prove to be a thorn in the side for the Tories.

Sherelle Jacobs writes the revolt against Labour is bigger than Brexit.

Boris Johnson alongside the Conservative Party candidate Jill Mortimer and a blow up version of himself after the Tories won the Hartlepool by-election -  Ian Forsyth/Getty Images Europe
Boris Johnson alongside the Conservative Party candidate Jill Mortimer and a blow up version of himself after the Tories won the Hartlepool by-election - Ian Forsyth/Getty Images Europe

Sadiq Khan is widely expected to give Labour a glimmer of hope in the London mayoral election.

Polls in the final days of the campaign suggested Mr Khan has a firm lead over Shaun Bailey, his Conservative opponent. We will have the result here.

Local council election results are coming in across the country, with "the BoJo of Blackburn", who had a viral video campaign, winning his seat.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has retained her Glasgow Southside constituency in the Scottish Parliament election.

Find all the results here as they come in through the weekend.

Travel 'green list' announced with just 12 countries

Portugal, Iceland, Gibraltar and Israel are among only 12 countries or territories on the Government's green list for quarantine-free travel from May 17 unveiled today. Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, said the limited list - including countries such as Australia and New Zealand that remain closed to foreign visitors - represented a "cautious" resumption of international travel. Read the full green list. With prices spiking for flights, Emma Featherstone examines whether you are already too late for your green list holiday. Annabel Fenwick Elliott fears the race for holiday vaccinations is about to get ugly. Read on for the amber list countries that have just missed the cut and when you can travel to them.

Senator uses fake Zoom background while driving

An Ohio state politician has been caught using a virtual background photo of his office to hide that he was driving during a Zoom meeting - the same day as local legislators introduced a bill to crackdown on unsafe driving. Andrew Brenner might have fooled the state board into thinking he was home had it not been for the seatbelt across his chest - or the constant turning of his head as he apparently looked around while moving lanes. Watch the footage which was streamed to the public.

At a glance: Coronavirus evening briefing

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Manhunt underway | Detectives searching for the killer of PCSO Julia James have issued an image of a man they believe could be key to the investigation. Police said they want to speak to the man who is understood to have been in the Aylesham area the day after the 53-year-old mother of two was murdered. See the picture released by police.

Around the world: Schoolgirl opens fire on classmates

A girl reported to be 11 or 12 years old has been taken into police custody after shooting two students and a cleaner at her school in Idaho, before being disarmed by a teacher. The child pulled a handgun from her backpack and fired multiple rounds inside and outside Rigby Middle School in the small city of Rigby, about 95 miles southwest of Yellowstone National Park. Read on for details.

Friday interview

'Covid made me question if I should keep on playing'

Rafael Nadal - AFP
Rafael Nadal - AFP

Rafael Nadal considered an extended break from tennis during the pandemic but now has a record 21st grand slam in his sights

Read the full interview

Comment and analysis

Editor's choice: Features and arts

  1. Disney's problematic princess | Why Snow White is forever being cancelled

  2. Consumer champion | 'My twins spent £2,800 on game extras and Apple refuses to help'

  3. The Midults | 'I'm secretly £13,000 in debt... and my husband doesn't know'

Business and money briefing

'Orientated towards the west' | The owner of British Airways said it is protected from a resurgence of coronavirus in the Far East despite racking up a £1bn loss for the first three months of the year.

Sport briefing

Lions teams | Our writers have picked their XVs to take on South Africa - and you can pick yours. Meanwhile, Sir Ian McGeechan reflects on Kyle Sinckler's shock omission from the British & Irish Lions squad but outlines where he may have lost Warren Gatland's faith.

Three things for tonight

And finally... for this evening's downtime

Welcome back to 'The Railway Children' | The beloved 1970 film is getting a sequel, with Jenny Agutter involved. No wonder, says Ben Lawrence, its message of optimism endures through the decades.

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