AN MP says his party should learn from Joe Biden’s presidential election victory after suffering “disappointing” results in the local elections.

Brighton Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell Moyle says that the Labour Party “can’t just double down” after the Tories romped to victory in the Hartlepool by-election.

Writing on Twitter, Mr Russell Moyle said Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer needs to broaden his appeal, much like US President Joe Biden, if he is to improve his hopes of leading a Labour revival.

He wrote: “If Keir wants to be a 'British Biden' he should learn from USA Democrats, where policies united the party, the left was brought into top table not pilloried, reforming polices are presented as common sense and Uncle Joe speaks for woke liberals and blue collar left at same time.”

Mr Russell Moyle added that the Labour Party needs to “reflect” on how it demonstrates its values and connects with voters.

The Argus: Brighton Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell Moyle has criticised Labour leader Sir Kier StarmerBrighton Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell Moyle has criticised Labour leader Sir Kier Starmer

In a stunning result in the Hartlepool by-election, the Conservatives took the seat – which had been Labour-held since it was formed in 1974 – with a majority of 6,940.

In a major boost for Boris Johnson, Conservative candidate Jill Mortimer gained 15,529 votes – more than half the total cast – with Labour’s Dr Paul Williams, trailing on 8,589.

And early results in council contests appeared to show voters deserting Labour, with the Tories seizing Redditch and Nuneaton and Bedworth councils in the Midlands, along with Harlow in Essex and Northumberland.

In her victory speech, Ms Mortimer said the result – overturning a Labour majority of more than 3,500 at the 2019 general election – was “truly historic”.

“Labour have taken people in Hartlepool for granted for too long. I heard this time and time again on the doorstep,” she said.

The result was in part due to voters who backed the Brexit Party in 2019 – when it took a quarter of the vote – switching to the Conservatives.

But worryingly for Labour it saw its share of the vote fall, underlining the scale of the task facing Sir Keir if he is to chart a route to No 10.

The party was braced for more difficult results as the votes are counted on Friday and over the weekend in the English local elections.