This week, former shadow cabinet members Angela Eagle and Owen Smith have both announced that they will take on the Islington MP in a bid to become Labour’s new leader.
Advertisement
During her speech, she said: “Jeremy Corbyn is unable to provide the leadership that this party needs – I believe I can”.
“That’s what I will be doing throughout this campaign, setting out the vision and policies that can unite the party and lead us into government”.
She said: “I supported Jeremy Corbyn in the no-confidence motion, but now there is a selection process and I am waiting to see what the other candidates will bring to the table”.
Had the NEC voted against Corbyn, he would have had to secure the support of 20 percent of fellow party MPs and members of the European Parliament to get his name on the leadership contest ballot.
Labour’s ruling body has blocked new union members from voting in its leadership election unless they pay £25.
Promising to campaign “on all the things that matter”, he asked MPs who disagree to “come and talk about it”.
Jeremy Corbyn WILL automatically be included on the ballot in Labour’s leadership contest following a vote by the party’s ruling committee.
His opponents in the party, who want him gone as leader, had argued that under party rules he needed to be nominated by 51 Labour MPs and MEPs to stand again.
He insists his legal challenge was “not about politics” and expects the court to hear the case within days, the BBC reports.
Owen Smith entered the race today with at least one more set to follow suit.
“I respect that mandate, it’s a responsibility I am carrying out”.
The party will announce the election timetable on Thursday, with contest expected to take two months. “There were very well-qualified lawyers on hand to advise, so I think we are fine”.
Labour party members who joined before January 12 will automatically be allowed to vote in the leadership election.
The rules are created to stop “entryism” by short-term Labour supporters whose sole aim is to return Jeremy Corbyn to power.
Advertisement
“I refused to have any part in discussions, which have been destructive, from a small group of people on the right who, just like those on the left, it seems to me, are now prepared to let Labour split”.
