The former MP for Leigh Jo Platt who was a victim of the Tory revival in the North of England at last week’s election has spoken out over the weekend in a facebook post
Writing to her constituents she described the loss as a dark day for Leigh and for the Labour Party.
“My thoughts are with all those that desperately needed an end to this Government.The people who have contacted my surgery over the last 2 years who have struggled to make ends meet. To the teachers, the nurses and all public servants that have dealt with the effects of austerity, I will always stand shoulder to shoulder with you.£
Platt who lost the seat once held by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham lost to Tory councillor James Grundy who secured just under half of the votes to oust her from the seat she has held since 2017,added,
As a party we have lost a seat that resembles the heart and soul of our movement. The shift has been years in the making. No one individual is to blame but as a party we must take a long hard look at who we in Labour stand for, who we represent and why the Labour Party was formed.” adding
“This is undoubtedly the greatest challenge our Party has faced but one we must overcome to regain the trust and support of those that I got into politics to serve.”
