Tulip Siddiq on stage at the election count

HAMPSTEAD and Highgate’s newly returned Labour MP Tulip Siddiq told the New Journal this morning (Friday) that the threat of the far right must be tackled through calm persuasion. She said that Labour had the policies to stop the Reform Party building on their electoral success.

She said: “We know we have to tackle the very real problems – and we know attributing them to immigration is very simplistic and we need to challenge that, and make it clear the problems we face can be solved through careful, evidence-based policies and the proper resources.”

Reform had secured four seats as the New Journal’s special edition went to press and the new Labour administration was under no illusions of the scale of the task they faced. She added: “It will not be easy and people will need to be patient.

“We know public services have been decimated. We know we need to invest in the NHS and housing.  “I feel confident. I know Keir Starmer and I know he will do a good job.”

When asked if she hoped her fellow Camden MP would offer a seat at the top table, she said: “I have been wanting to drop the word ‘shadow’ in front of my title at the Treasury for a long time.”

Labour had been so confident of Ms Siddiq’s victory that party members had been knocking on doors in the nearby marginal Hendon constituency. They were not wrong. She polled 23,432 – way ahead the Tory candidate in second place. That was Don Williams with 8,462.

A kiss from her husband has become a tradition

Ms Siddiq said waking up to a Labour victory over a Conservative government was an experience she was going to savour.

She said: “I was too young in 1997 to remember it properly – but I do remember my parents being so excited. To be 14 then, and 42 now, and only now having this experience. It has been something to wait for.”

Congratulations from Labour councillor Nadia Shah

And she had some personal words to say about the new prime minister in her winner’s speech on the stage at the 5PS council offices in King’s Cross.

She said: “It is the honour of my life: it isn’t every day you share your count with the next prime minister. And I want to say a few words about Keir. He was the first person to ring me when my car was vandalised.

“He was the first person to call me when our friend and colleague Jo Cox was murdered.

“When I was pregnant and had terrible morning sickness, I asked him to step in for me at an event. He did it without hesitation. He is a leader who is passionate, and is kind. I am proud tonight to say: the future of our country is in safe hands.”