Thoughts on the Batley & Spen by-election

By now, we can all agree that the by-election in Batley & Spen has been the most atrocious and grim few weeks of political campaigning in British history. Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, vicious trolling, this by-election has witnessed everything, including the sobering retreat of common decency.

For a lot of people, vindication and satisfaction might have been found in Kim Leadbeater, sister of the murdered Jo Cox, winning but that itself is now extremely unlikely. Rather, the Conservatives are set to pick up yet another seat, and Labour’s distance…