Jon Trickett: In Jeremy Corbyn’s first national test, we have beaten the Tories

Back in April, I wrote on LabourList that “we should be looking for Labour to advance on the 2015 election results, where we finished almost seven per cent points behind the Conservatives.”

According to the BBC’s projection, Labour has now closed that 7 point gap and achieved a one point lead across the country in yesterday’s elections. That means that in the first national test of Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour, we have beaten the Tories.

It certainly represents progress, but it is part of a mixed picture and only a start. Most starkly that’s the case in Scotland where we finished third. But one glimmer of light is that Scottish Labour did gain three constituency seats, after only winning one at last year’s general election

In Wales we have won 29 seats, one down, but higher than in 2007, 2003 and in 1999. We also won seats like Gower and Vale of Clwyd that we lost at the general election last year.

We expect the results in London soon, and are hopeful of our first success in London since 2004. The Tory campaign in London was run from the gutter, and I hope the people of London will have washed it into the sewer where it belongs.

We have also won mayoral elections with the excellent Paul Dennett in Salford and Joe Anderson re-elected in Liverpool.

What is important now is that the party unites and focuses on taking on the Tories.

Today, the Tories have announced retreat on their plans for forced academisation. The excellent campaigning by Lucy Powell, Jeremy and by parents, governors and teachers has shown again that we can force the Tories back. That must be our focus.

Jon Trickett is MP for Hemsworth and Labour’s election co-ordinator