After four years of Jeremy Corbyn leading the Labour Party, it’s gearing up for a new leader after the Islington North MP decided to step down in due course. The election for Labour Leader is one that will certainly be fascinating, not least because of Labour’s shift to the left since Corbyn’s ascension.
Six people (four women and two men) are hoping to win. There is also an election for the Labour deputy leadership, with five MPs going for it, which will be written about later in the article.
Here is a profile of the six MPs who are hoping to be Leader of the Opposition and Labour Party leader:
- Clive Lewis, MP for Norwich South
Age: 48
Length of Service as MP: 2015
Roles in Government: Former Shadow Business and Defence Secretary, current Shadow Treasury Secretary
Ideology: Left of the party, socialist
Campaign Ideas: Mr. Lewis is hoping to take on racism and sexism, citing the fact that no person of colour or woman has ever been Labour Leader. He has also suggested that there should be a referendum on the monarchy, believing it should be slimmed down after recent events such as Prince Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Supporters: Lewis will do well with the left of the party, but may struggle to beat Rebecca Long-Bailey.
Most Memorable Campaign Moment Thus Far: Calling for a referendum on the monarchy.
Impediments: Lewis has a history of sexual assault accusations, though he was exonerated by Labour’s internal manner. He was also once caught on camera, telling a male actor to ‘get on your knees, b****,’ something he was forced to apologise for, and his mock gun in his mouth during parliamentary debate caused widespread condemnation; both of these actions are repeated in his campaign. Lewis is also a staunch anti-Brexiter, rebelling against triggering Article 50 and quitting the front bench over it. This will make those who want to win back Brexiters who jumped ship a little wary, as well as those who worry about past actions on Lewis’ part.
Chances: He’s not got much support in parliament, so it’s highly unlikely.
Website: https://www.cliveforleader.com/
- Rebecca Long- Bailey, MP for Salford and Eccles
Age: 40
Length of Service as MP: 2015
Roles in Government: Former Shadow Treasury Minister and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, current Shadow Business Secretary
Ideology: Labour left
Campaign Ideas: Rebecca Long-Bailey wants to abolish the House of Lords. She is clear that she wants a socialist agenda, believing a leader should support those ideals. Long-Bailey also wants to scrub out the scourge of anti-Semitism.
Supporters: She will be the chosen candidate of Corbyn, John McDonnell and the Labour left.
Most Memorable Campaign Moment Thus Far: Calling for the abolition of the House of Lords.
Impediments: It will depend on whether the Labour Party’s members are willing to take a chance on the left again. Labour has also never had a female leader, with women always coming behind men in leadership elections. That’s looking to change though.
Chances: If the Labour left can consolidate its voting and others join in, then Long-Bailey has a strong chance.
Website: N/A
- Lisa Nandy, MP for Wigan
Age: 40
Length of Service as MP: 2010
Roles in Government: Former Shadow Energy Secretary
Ideology: Moderate left
Campaign Ideas: To promote the towns and cities that were previously Labour heartland and not just focusing on London. Nandy wants to allow Brexit to happen as voters wanted, unlike some others. According to her website, she wants to lead a ‘compassionate, radical, dynamic government.’
Supporters: Moderate left, those from the heartlands and who want to accept Brexit
Most Memorable Campaign Moment Thus Far: The ‘Towns’ Meme
Impediments: She’s not seen as a Corbyn ally and hasn’t held a government role since 2016, so she may not be palatable to some. The moderate vote may be split between several candidates, so she’d have to be a unifier. Nandy also doesn’t have the name recognition of others, but that doesn’t matter too much as the election is limited to members.
Chances: She’ll do ok, but it’s unlikely she will win.
Website: https://lisanandy.org/index.html
- Jess Phillips, MP for Birmingham Yardley
Age: 38
Length of Service as MP: 2015
Roles in Government: None
Ideology: Labour moderate
Campaign Ideas: Phillips’ main campaign is against sexism in the party, something she strongly believes is a problem, as someone who has got a lot of abuse and speaks out against it. Phillips believes she can win back voters who fled from Corbyn and has used her working class credentials to back it up. Her other policies include fairly funded schools and the environment.
Supporters: Labour moderates who are worried about abuse in the party.
Most Memorable Campaign Moment Thus Far: Having to suspend campaign aides for anti-Semitic tweets
Impediments: Again, she will face strong opposition from the left. She’s also seen as a ‘TERF,’ which may damage her standing with some members.
Chances: Probably won’t happen, but she might surprise us
Website: https://www.jessphillips.net/
- Keir Starmer, MP for Holborn and St. Pancras
Age: 57
Length of Service as MP: 2015
Roles in Government: Former Shadow Immigration Minister and current Shadow Brexit Secretary
Ideology: Moderate to left
Campaign Ideas: No one really knows at the moment, as Starmer seems to be attempting a fence sitter position in attempt to appeal to all sides. He would like to renationalise the rail industry, though.
Supporters: Starmer is attempting to appeal to moderate and centrist voters, but has done well by gaining the backing of the UK’s biggest union, Unison.
Most Memorable Campaign Moment Thus Far: Getting Unison backing
Impediments: He probably won’t get much support from the left either.
Chances: Probably has the best chance, we’ll see.
Website: https://keirstarmer.com/
- Emily Thornberry, MP for Islington South and Finsbury
Age: 59
Length of Service as MP: 2005
Roles in Government: Former Shadow Attorney General, Employment Minister, Defense Secretary, Brexit Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Current Shadow First Secretary of State
Ideology: Centrist with left wing leanings
Campaign Ideas: Thornberry has not come out with too much at the moment, her main focus is survival. She had previously mentioned support of a second referendum and had opposed calling for a general election in December. She was Boris Johnson’s opposite as Foreign Secretary and believes she fought hard against him.
Supporters: Most likely those with a similar ideology
Most Memorable Campaign Moment Thus Far: Threatening to sue former MP Caroline Flint for ‘making s*** up.’
Impediments: Thornberry does not really belong to a distinct Labour tribe, so it may be hard for her to get large appeal from one set. She also doesn’t have as many nominations as she’d like, though she may get some if others drop out. Thornberry dropped ties with Corbyn and Momentum after giving him a 0/10 on winning elections.
Chances: Not great.
Website: https://emilyforlabour.com/
Deputy Leadership:
- Dr. Rosena Allin-Khan, MP for Tooting
Age: 43
Length of Service as MP: 2016
Roles in Government: Former Shadow Sports Minister
Ideology: Progressive wing
Campaign Ideas: Allin-Khan opposes ideological purity and factionalism in the party, believing it’s divided members. She is pro-second referendum and is pro-NHS as a former A&E doctor.
Supporters: Allin-Khan has a wide range of supporters, and though she may not be the first choice of some of the left, she isn’t unpopular in that circle.
Most Memorable Campaign Moment Thus Far: Wanting to create a ‘Ministry of Fabulosity,’ whatever that means.
Impediments: Maybe that Ministry idea could be one, but that perhaps isn’t serious. Allin-Khan could easy get a diverse range of support, but it’s getting them to all vote for her that may be hard.
Chances: She’s getting a lot of support from MPs so far, so not a bad sign. She could get it.
Website: https://www.drrosena.co.uk/
- Richard Burgon, MP For Leeds East
Age: 39
Length of Service as MP: 2015
Roles in Government: Shadow Justice Secretary
Ideology: Corbyn ally
Campaign Ideas: He would like to see Labour active in every community and wants to win back pro-Brexit areas. Burgon supports previous Corbyn ideas and wants to stick to the left. He’s also anti-austerity and that is something he will focus on.
Supporters: Corbyn left
Most Memorable Campaign Moment Thus Far: Getting John McDonnell’s backing.
Impediments: He may be a little too left for some, judging by the MPs who have backed him thus far.
Chances: It could happen, he’s got ample support.
Website: N/A
- Dawn Butler, MP for Brent Central
Age: 50
Length of Service as MP: 2005, 2015 after boundary changes
Roles in Government: Former Youth Minister, Current Shadow Equalities Secretary
Ideology: Left-wing Corbyn ally
Campaign Ideas: Butler is advocating for diversity in the party, especially when it comes to the leadership. She supports measures against racism and sexism, and hopes to ensure the votes of ethnic minorities to the party. She still does not want to be judged solely on her gender or race.
Supporters: The left
Most Memorable Campaign Moment Thus Far: Speaking out for diversity
Impediments: Again the gender issue has been pointed out, but as said before, it will likely not be an issue as it had been before. Moderates may not vote for her.
Chances: Reasonable if not hugely likely.
Website: https://www.dawn4deputy.com/
- Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South
Age: 34
Length of Service as MP: 2010
Roles in Government: Former Shadow Scotland Secretary
Ideology: New Labour
Campaign Ideas: Murray wants to rid the party of anti-Semitism. He also wants to push the party a bit more to the centre, and he has criticised Long-Bailey for being too left wing. Murray ardently opposes Scottish independence.
Supporters: Moderates
Most Memorable Campaign Moment Thus Far: Calling out the far left
Impediments: He’s not a huge Labour name and hasn’t got the same recognition as others. His opposition to the left may not win him any friends, either.
Chances: Got a good backing from MPs, it might not be the same for the membership.
Website: https://murrayfordeputy.co.uk/
- Angela Rayner, MP for Ashton-Under-Lyne
Age: 39
Length of Service as MP: 2015
Roles in Government: Shadow Education Secretary
Ideology: Left-wing Corbyn ally
Campaign Ideas: She wants to change how elections are done, blaming the targeting of seats that wouldn’t have been won and not securing apparent safe seats. Rayner is also running as the de facto running mate of Long-Bailey, friend, roomate and ally. Her other aims are fighting anti-Semitism and get rid of bigotry.
Supporters: The left, though she did criticise Corbyn’s affect on the campaign
Most Memorable Campaign Moment Thus Far: Stepping aside for Long-Bailey
Impediments: Running as a running mate is pretty risky, so it may be difficult. Rayner may not be able to capture the Momentum vote like others, even if she could be their preferred candidate.
Chances: Not bad, she has a good amount of endorsement, but it again hinges on the membership.
Website: https://angelaraynerfordeputy.com/