The two rivals will make televised pitches to supporters on Sunday morning in broadcast interviews after a dramatic series of developments ended the stand-off over the embattled leader’s position.
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Holding a Labour leadership vote without Jeremy Corbyn on the ballot would be “a sordid fix”, the leader of the Unite union has said before the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meets to decide how the contest will take place. These are dark times for Labour. “And they are unsafe times for our country”. “I have got life experience and values”.
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Shadow health secretary Ms Abbott said she did not believe Ms Eagle could win a leadership race, citing her backing for the Iraq War and her failed bid to be deputy leader.
Eagle was one of dozens of shadow ministers who resigned after the European Union referendum, saying they had lost confidence in Corbyn’s leadership. Her leadership bid could generate a significant debate and even a no-confidence vote against her in her home base in the Northern English city. Unlike Eagle, he also voted against airstrikes in Syria.
“I’m calling for people to stop this violence and the bad behaviour and let’s just get behind whatever leader you choose”.
Highlighting her credentials without any baggage of past Labour party leaders, she added: “I’m not a Blairite”.
Part of the conflict stems from Eagle’s policy stances.
In a statement, Unite said: “While we remain of the view that this is an unhelpful process to be embarking upon at this time, we urge all sections of the party to act with dignity and respect for each other as this process unfolds”.
After hearing the news that she would become the next Prime Minister, Mrs May said she was “honoured and humbled” to take up the top job.
“She is a perfectly nice woman but what she is the Empire Strikes Back candidate”, Abbott told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
BBC News reports that there is a dispute within the party over whether Jeremy Corbyn should be automatically allowed on the ballot in the upcoming leadership election.
But he made it clear he would fight on, hinting that he would take up a legal challenge to make sure he is given a chance to defend his post.
Mr Cameron, meanwhile, said he was “delighted” that 59-year-old Ms May would replace him in Downing Street. The party’s National Executive Committee is set to reach a decision on that issue on Tuesday.
Party grandees and MPs however warned against his election.
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Lord Collins, Labour’s general secretary when the rule requiring candidates to obtain the nominations of 20% of MPs and MEPs was introduced, said it applied to all candidates including an incumbent leader.
