There’s no sugar-coating what happened in the byelection in Gorton and Denton – it’s a terrible result for Labour, coming third in a seat we had held for nearly a century. People often exaggerate the significance of byelection results, but this one does speak to a far-reaching change and fracturing in our politics, which cannot be ignored or wished away.

A political strategy of taking liberal, progressive voters for granted is clearly flawed. The national Labour party and government doesn’t just need to reflect on this result, but fundamentally rethink its approach.

Many people who voted Labour in July 2024 are now angry and frustrated. They are impatient to see the change promised at the last general election, including better public services and a growing economy, and they want a Labour government that shares their values. People need to know what this Labour government really stands for and be able to believe that it still holds true to the core beliefs the party was established to promote – equality, fairness, social justice and internationalism – while governing with economic competence and pragmatism.

Keir Starmer and this Labour government have done some extraordinary things that are improving people’s lives up and down the country. This includes getting NHS waiting times down, opening new free breakfast........

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