Keir Starmer dubbed 'one of those southerners' in blow to Labour's Red Wall election hopes

Keir Starmer dubbed 'one of those southerners' in blow to Labour's Red Wall election hopes
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Anna Fox

By Anna Fox


Published: 07/06/2022

- 11:20

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:07

Red Wall voters are more likely to lean towards the Liberal Democrats rather than Labour if they abandon the Tories, according to Angela Knight

Former Tory MP Angela Knight discussed Keir Starmer's appeal to Labour voters in an exclusive interview with GB News Presenter Nigel Farage.

Ms Knight spoke with Nigel, prior to the announcement of the results of the Tory confidence vote into Boris Johnson's leadership.


The pair discussed the threat to the Red Wall, a term used to describe the set of constituencies across Wales, the Midlands and the North of England that are traditionally held by Labour MPs.

Ms Knight insinuated that the Labour leader has significantly hindered prospects of succeeding in Red Wall constituencies due to his southern heritage.

Nigel commented on previous Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who sparked anger and suspicion in many constituencies.

Angela Knight spoke to GB News Presenter Nigel Farage in the run up to the vote of no confidence
Angela Knight spoke to GB News Presenter Nigel Farage in the run up to the vote of no confidence
GB NEWS

He added: "A lot of those Northern traditional patriotic constituencies with links to regiments and the British Army, they saw a Labour leader who was too friendly with the IRA."

Progressing their conversation, Nigel referenced how many Red Wall voters are leaning towards the Lib Dems, evident in the election of Nick Clegg as MP for Sheffield Hallam from 2005 until 2017.

Ms Knight who originates from Sheffield, commented on the rise of the Liberal Democrats in the North of England, adding how voters "look at Keir Starmer and they say, well he's not one of us either, he's just one of those down there, he's one of those southerners".

Nigel added how Red Wall voters are "not scared" of Sir Keir as they were with Mr Corbyn.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is %22not one of them%22 claims Ms Knight
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is "not one of them" claims Ms Knight
Yui Mok

Ms Knight replied stating: "He might not be one of them, but he's not going to do things against them, and that was their worry with Jeremy Corbyn."

The Prime Minister went on to win the confidence vote in Westminster yesterday evening.

Chairman of the 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady announced the results just after 9pm, stating: "I can report as returning officer that 359 ballots were cast, no spoilt ballots, that the vote in favour of having confidence in Boris Johnson as leader was 211 votes and a vote against was 148 votes.

“And therefore, I can announce that the parliamentary party does have confidence in Boris Johnson.”

Responding to the announcement, the Labour leader said: “The choice is clearer than ever before: Divided Tories propping up Boris Johnson with no plan to tackle the issues you are facing.

“Or a united Labour Party with a plan to fix the cost-of-living crisis and restore trust in politics.

"Labour will get Britain back on track.”

Sir Keir added how the PM was “utterly unfit for the great office he holds” and accused Tory MPs of ignoring the British public.

He stated: “The Conservative Government now believes that breaking the law is no impediment to making the law.”

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