KEIR Starmer has made light of a political row which has seen Labour face accusations of allegedly campaigning with chocolate brownies.

Opposition parties have reported Labour to the Electoral Commission after pictures circulated of West Yorkshire mayoral candidate, Tracy Brabin, handing out brownies with supporters tweeting their thanks.

Candidates are banned from offering sweeteners of any kind to voters under electoral law.

Labour has dismissed the complaints as a waste of the authorities’ time, with sources insisting boxes of the cakes were ‘thank yous’ to party members for their hard work.

Police said on Tuesday night that no offence had been committed.

Asked about the issue while campaigning Pontefract on Wednesday morning, Labour leader Sir Keir suggested the claims were half-baked.

He said: “When I first heard this I thought it was a joke, that anyone would take this seriously.

“But Tracy’s not offered me any brownies so I’m going to be talking to her about this later on!”

The Labour leader offered a ringing endorsement of Ms Brabin, and insisted he’d had a “positive reception” on the doorsteps of West Yorkshire while out campaigning alongside her.

What you need to know before voting in West Yorkshire's first mayoral election

The party is trailing badly in a number of national polls however, with the Conservatives widely predicted to win the Hartlepool by-election for the first time since the 1960s.

Sir Keir acknowledged Labour had “a mountain to climb” to win back voters who deserted the party at 2019 General Election, but added: “The poll that matters is tomorrow and we’re fighting for every vote.

“People have actually been willing to hear from us and Tracy has been very popular on the doorstep because she talks common sense and they can see she’s a champion for their community.

“Tomorrow is a very important staging post to elect candidates – mayoral and councillors – to be a strong Labour voice against this government.”

Who are the candidates for West Yorkshire Mayor and what do the all say?

Seven candidates will be on the ballot paper. Below are some of the key points they have made in their campaign literature.

Reform Party candidate Wajid Ali has committed to tackling crime and homelessness, resisting any future plans for a congestion charge and “returning all freedoms” back to people.

He said: “I want to reboot the local economy and will campaign for tax cuts for the lowest paid, a council tax freeze and lowered business rates to support and encourage small businesses.”

Among the promises from Labour Party candidate Tracy Brabin were commitments to creating 1,000 “well paid, skilled jobs for young people”, recruit 750 more police officers and bringing buses back under public control.

She said: “I’ll be a mayor that stands up for our communities and fights hard to make sure we get our fair share. I’ll step in where the government has failed and tackle the deep inequalities exposed by the pandemic.”

The Yorkshire Party’s Bob Buxton says he would build greener homes on regenerated sites, while focussing on “defeating crime”, career-led adult education and pushing for a referendum on greater devolution for Yorkshire.

He added: “If elected, I will fight to deliver a West Yorkshire mass transit system to make sure no community is left behind. Labour councils have failed to deliver and the Tory government continues to make empty promises.

Green Party candidate Andrew Cooper said committed to green refurbishments for existing houses, redeveloping brownfield sites, new apprenticeships for green jobs and more “community-led policing”.

He added: “A green mayor will make our town centres more appealing places to spend time – not just places to go shopping. I want to see sporting facilities improved and we will support our vital creative industries.”

Liberal Democrat candidate Stewart Golton committed to having plans for “every high street”, as well as delivering training and skills for green jobs in construction, energy, farming and forestry.

He added: “We can’t afford to end up with a mayor that makes excuses for the poor performance of their mates in charge of parliament or local town halls. We need a strong champion that will push for real devolution.”

English Democrats candidate Therese Hirst committed in her literature to raising adult educational standards, building “person-centred” housing to help people’s mental and physical wellbeing, and “visible, impartial and apolitical policing”.

She added: “Choosing the right candidate who has the right skills and vision to address the enormous social and economic challenges we now face, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, is now more important than ever.”

Conservative candidate Matt Robinson has committed to creating apprenticeships with employers, more police with “extra powers and equipment like tasers”, and a more efficient public transport service.

He added: “It’s time to join up our public transport, so you can get a seat on a bus or train that runs on time. I’ll cut congestion for drivers, holding councils to account and getting extra government funds for roads.”