Rachel Reeves to contest Tory-held seat in 'risky move' after boundary change

Ms Reeves told The Yorkshire Post: "It's such an honour to represent Kirkstall and Farnley and Wortley, and whilst it is really disappointing to be losing parts of Leeds West, I'm really pleased to have the opportunity to stand to give people in Pudsey and Calverley and Farsley - along with Armley and Bramley - the change they want to see and a Labour MP who will put their interests first."

One Northern Tory MP noted that the move would be a big risk for Labour, given that Pudsey contains a lot of Tory voters, compared to “safer” options in the region.

Analysis of the wards which have changed under the proposed boundary review shows that Pudsey sees two of its Labour-leaning wards move to Leeds North West, while keeping its two other wards that are Tory-facing.

Though under current polling, the seat is on course for a strong Labour majority, some party figures expressed surprise that Ms Reeves had not opted for the newly-created seat of Headingley, which also takes a portion of her current Leeds West seat.

Alex Sobel, the current MP for Leeds North West and a shadow environment minister, is set to run for the area which is expected to give Labour one of the biggest majorities in the region.

Anthony Wells, director of YouGov's political and social opinion polling, told The Yorkshire Post that the move may be less risky than some suggested in the long-term.

“Obviously at the moment the massive student population is Labour,” he said.

“But as a long-term thing, it may not be where they want to be two terms down into a Labour government when students are going to be the ones who are grumpy and threaten to vote Green or Lib Dem.”

Other Labour MPs have also taken what may prove to be a more difficult selection, particularly if the polls close.

Kim Leadbeater, the Batley and Spen MP who currently has a majority of only 323 after narrowly winning the by-election in 2021, will run for the newly-created Spen Valley seat, rather than Dewsbury and Batley, which takes in the rest of her current constituency.

Analysis of the wards which change seats in the boundary review show a tougher path for Ms Leadbeater, with many two strong Labour-leaning wards moving to Dewsbury and Batley, while Spen Valley keeps some of the areas where the Tories or Liberal Democrats finished ahead in recent local results.

One Yorkshire Tory noted “hats off to her” when asked about her decision to run in the seat after she announced she would “go with her heart” as she is “ Spen Valley born and bred”.

A Labour source noted: “It’s the harder option but she’s the right candidate for that one, if anyone’s gonna win that one it’s going to be her.”