Sister of murdered MP Jo Cox to stand for Labour in Batley and Spen

THE sister of the murdered MP Jo Cox announced her intention to become Labour’s candidate for Batley and Spen a in the upcoming byelection.

Kim Leadbeater, 44, on Wednesday (12) said that she hoped to become Labour’s candidate, and added that she had never seen herself as a 'political animal', reported The Guardian.

“I care deeply about the area where I was born and have always lived, and where the people are second to none. Through all the work I have done with Jo’s foundation over the past five years I have met so many truly fantastic people from across this area, some of them Labour, many not involved in party politics at all," Leadbeater told The Guardian.

“This community picked me up when I needed it most and I will be forever grateful.”

Britain's opposition party is facing a huge test to cling on to the West Yorkshire constituency where Cox was killed by a far-right terrorist in June 2016.

On 16 June, it will be five years since Cox was murdered. A date for the byelection has not yet been set but it is understood 22 July has been suggested, said reports.

Labour is defending a slender majority of 3,525 votes in a seat it has held since 1997. The byelection was called after Tracy Brabin, the local MP, was elected as the first mayor of West Yorkshire.

"The prospect of the byelection had affected me deeply in ways I really hadn’t expected. I have learned how disillusioned and disengaged people were with politics and how worried they were about the future of their towns and villages," said Leadbeater in a statement.

“I would love to represent this extraordinary, vibrant place that I have called home all my life. I am touched that so many people seem to think I would do a good job and I can promise that if they want me I will give my all for Batley and Spen at Westminster.”

Labour leader Keir Starmer is under huge pressure over the party’s performance in its former heartlands after a devastating defeat in the Hartlepool byelection last week. Losing another seat to the Conservatives would embolden the Labour leader’s critics, The Guardian report said.

According to the report, Leadbeater is the most high-profile name to emerge so far as a potential candidate and she is expected to be a popular choice among local Labour members. They are expected to choose the candidate from a shortlist in the coming weeks.