"Now no one can deny that Keir Starmer has the steel to pull off the impossible mission"

After our 2019 defeat, Labor was shipwrecked - but Keir got the party back on track, writes Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting

250w, https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article30530912.ece/ALTERNATES/r500/0_Selby-by-election.jpg 500w, https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article30530912.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200d/0_Selby-by-e lection.jpg 100 0w" alt="Keir Mather after by-election victory" content="https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article30530912.ece/ALTERNATES/n615/0_Selby-by-election.jpg" width="160" height="90"/> Keir Mather after the victory in the by-elections (

Image: PA)

There's a new Keir in town. The election of Keir Mather as the first Labor MP for Selby and Ainsty broke new records. The overthrow of a Conservative majority of 20,137 was the best by-election result for Labor since 1945.

The victory is also a testament to Labor leader Keir Starmer.

When Keir took over as leader of the Labor Party in 2020, many thought his task was mission impossible. Now no one can deny he has the steel to do it.

After our defeat in 2019, Labor was shipwrecked. Yes, the collapse of the Tories and the SNP has put some wind in our sails. But there would have been no sails at all if Keir hadn't restored the Labor to seaworthy condition.

The country needs change. People are tired of nothing working.

They can see that the Conservatives have no answers. Now they want to know what we would do differently.

Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner congratulate Keir Mather (

Picture:

PENNSYLVANIA)

Keir outlined Labour's five main missions for government:

■ Deliver the fastest growing economy in the G7.

■ Building an NHS fit for the future.

■ Break the classroom ceiling that holds working class children back.

■ Make our streets safe.

■ Making Britain a green energy superpower.

We have begun to define our policies to achieve these goals. The biggest expansion of NHS staff in history. Every home is insulated, which means lower bills, good jobs and warm families in the winter.

More teachers for children in public schools, paid by ending tax breaks on private schools. Safer streets with more police.

All built on the foundations of a strong economy.

When we present our manifesto for the general election, it will be a change you can believe. The Conservatives over-promised and under-delivered. We will only make promises that we...