The sister of murdered MP Jo Cox is hoping to stand as the Labour candidate for her sibling’s old seat.

Kim Leadbeater says she would be honoured to represent the ‘extraordinary, vibrant’ place of Batley and Spen, five years after her sister was shot and stabbed by a right-wing extremist.

Labour is expected to face a tough battle to keep the seat after it became vacant at the weekend as sitting Labour MP Tracy Brabin became the first elected mayor of West Yorkshire.

Ms Leadbeater, who founded the Jo Cox Foundation in 2016, says she never thought she’d be wading into politics, but has been ‘moved’ by the number of locals urging her to run.

Speaking to Batley and Birstall News, she said: ‘It has knocked me for six. 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.

‘The truth is, I have never really seen myself as a political animal, but I care deeply about the area where I was born and have always lived, and where the people are second to none.

‘I’ll be talking a lot to Labour members in the next little while – but mainly, once again, listening to what they have to say.

‘And if they put their confidence in me to be their candidate, then I would be honoured to represent them and give the people of Batley and Spen the opportunity to put their trust in me.’

Ms Leadbeater, who is chair of the off-shoot networking group More In Common, was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours for services to social cohesion, the community in Batley and Spen and combatting loneliness during the Covid crisis.

Commentators have warned a Labour victory is not a sure thing after the party suffered a crushing defeat with the loss of Hartlepool during by-elections last week.

Ms Brabin held Batley and Spen with a 3,525 majority at the last general election – but Sir Keir Starmer’s party has been criticised for losing its connection with traditional heartlands.

Charity ambassador Ms Leadbeater may face competition from Paula Sherriff, the former Labour MP for neighbouring Dewsbury, who is said to be considering putting her name forward. 

The opposition party’s candidate is likely to be shortlisted in the next few weeks after being chosen by a vote of local members.

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