Rachel Reeves says Labour is ‘back in the game’ for Tamworth byelection

According to shadow chancellor, ‘no-go areas’ don’t exist for party now, as close fights loom for two previously safe Tory seats

• Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire: constituency profiles

The tight race to win this week’s byelection in Tamworth shows “there really are no more no-go areas for the Labour party now”, the shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has said.

Speaking before the vote in the Staffordshire seat on Thursday, Reeves said the road to Downing Street for Keir Starmer ran through the West Midlands.