Scottish Labour MP says party 'must change course' after Runcorn by-election defeat to Reform
Brian Leishman, a frequent critic of the UK Government, said Labour first 10 months in power "haven't been good enough".
A Scottish Labour MP has warned the UK faces the prospect of an "extreme right wing government" unless his party changes course.
Brian Leishman spoke out after Reform UK narrowly won a Westminster by-election in Runcorn as well as numerous council seats across England last night.
The Conservative vote collapsed on a night that confirmed Nigel Farage is now the opposition party leader most likely to challenge Keir Starmer to become the next prime minister.
The by-election loss in Runcorn by just six votes was a disaster for Labour after it poured campaigners into the constituency.
Leishman, a frequent critic of the UK Government, was among the backbenchers to share their dismay on a brutal night for their party.
The Grangemouth MP said: "Runcorn shows Labour must change course. People voted for real change last July and an end to austerity.
"The first 10 months haven't been good enough or what the people want and if we don't improve people's living standards then the next government will be an extreme right wing one."
Elsewhere, Labour narrowly retained mayoralties in both Doncaster and North Tyneside, with Reform coming a close second in both.
The by-election in Cheshire ran alongside local elections across England, having been triggered when former Labour MP Mike Amesbury quit after admitting punching a constituent.
A newly re-elected mayor hit out at Sir Keir's changes to the winter fuel allowance, hikes to employer national insurance contributions and welfare reforms.
Ros Jones was narrowly re-elected as mayor of Doncaster, beating the Reform candidate by just under 700 votes.
Speaking to the BBC after her result, she said that Labour need to 'be listening to the man, woman and businesses on the street'.
She said: 'I wrote as soon as the winter fuel allowance was actually mooted, and I said it was wrong, and therefore I stepped in immediately and used our household support fund to ensure no-one in Doncaster went cold during the winter.'
The increase in national insurance was 'hitting some of our smaller businesses' and the squeeze on the personal independence payment was leaving many people 'worried', Ms Jones said.
She added: 'I think the results here tonight will demonstrate that they need to be listening to the man, woman and businesses on the street, and actually deliver for the people, with the people.'
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