Keir Starmer says he was 'ruthless' over Corbyn ban amid warning Labor must defeat 'Stevenage woman'

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Keir Starmer said he had been 'ruthless' in preventing former leader Jeremy Corbyn from standing as a Labor candidate in the next general election due next year.< /p>

It comes as the Labor leader has been warned that winning over socially conservative suburban voters called the 'Stevenage woman' is essential to a Labor victory in 2024.

Starmer has been charged by the Momentum founder to behave like a 'Labour Putin' after his motion to bar the former leader from running was backed by the National Executive Committee (NEC). However, he insisted the move would boost Labour's chances.

“The only person to blame for Jeremy Corbyn not standing in the next election is Jeremy Corbyn. And if people think there's an element of ruthlessness in that, yes there is," he told The Sunday Times.

Sir Keir added: "Because this is a Labor Party that is moving from one of its worst defeats to a Labor Government where we can change the lives of millions. If it forces me to be ruthless, then I'm very, very ready to be ruthless. Islington North, adding: "I will not be intimidated by silence."

The row comes as Labor Together analysts examined a segment of suburban voters in its Red report Shift - namely full -time employees in their early 40s with children.

They found that socially conservative, predominantly female voters are increasingly disillusioned with the policy. However, they now hold the key to a Labor election victory.

Playing a decisive role in Starmer's victory in the 2020 Labor leadership election, Labor Together has worked closely together to shape party policy. Its new report calls this critical group socially conservative but economically "a bit left-wing".

The notion of a "Stevenage woman" doesn't just apply to these voters in the town of Hertfordshire , but includes like-minded women living in "cities and suburbs across the country."

"She's not looking for drastic or dramatic change, but she's worried about her life today." the state of public services and life in his city today,” the report adds.