Something big needs to change if Starmer is ever going to succeed Unless and until the Labour leader changes something big, the losses will keep piling up for his party 7 May 2021 • 7:56am Even before it was announced that the Conservatives had won Hartlepool with a 16 per cent swing, Labour was busy conceding defeat and promising that things would change as a result of its humiliation in the north east seat. “The message from voters is clear and we have heard it,” said a spokesman. “Labour has not yet changed nearly enough for voters to place their trust in us. We understand that. We are listening. And we will now redouble our efforts.”