THE RACE to replace Jeremy Corbyn is intensifying with two of his closest allies signalling their intention to go for the top job.
Both Rebecca Long-Bailey and Ian Lavery yesterday indicated their interest in becoming the next leader of the Labour party.
Others who’ve said they would run for the position include Emily Thornberry and Clive Lewis.
In an article for the Guardian, Long-Bailey promised to put “progressive patriotism” and uniting communities at the top of the agenda – though failed to mention Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or the Union.
She said Brexit and a lack of trust were to blame for Labour’s performance in the General Election earlier this month where the party suffered their worst result since 1935.
Though the shadow business secretary didn’t formally announce her desire for the top job, she said she was considering standing – and that she would back Angela Rayner, the shadow education secretary, and her flatmate, to be the next deputy leader.
READ MORE: Corbyn – the leader who was not given a chance?
Long-Bailey insisted Labour’s manifesto was popular: “We didn’t lose because of our commitment to scrap universal credit, invest in public services or abolish tuition fees.”
She added: “From ex-miners in Blyth Valley to migrant cleaners in Brixton, from small businesses in Stoke-on-Trent to the self-employed in Salford, we have to unite our communities. Britain has a long history of patriotism rooted in working life, built upon unity and pride in the common interests and shared life of everyone.
“To win we must revive this progressive patriotism and solidarity in a form fit for modern Britain.”
It’s understood Long-Bailey has been supported by some in Corbyn’s team as their continuity candidate.
However, she faces a challenge from Lavery, who is said to be “seriously considering” a bid for the role.
The party chairman, who backs Brexit, was in charge of Labour’s patchy election campaign. He personally saw his majority slashed from 10,435 to just 814.
A spokesperson for Lavery told the Mirror: “Ian is optimistic about the challenges ahead and knows there is a lot of work to be done to unify the party.
“He has had a tremendous amount of support and is seriously considering all of his options at present.”
READ MORE: Ex-Labour MPs call for 'unflinching' review into party's election defeat
According to PoliticsHome, Lavery is being urged to run by Karie Murphy, Corbyn’s chief of staff and a key figure on the left of the party. He was criticised in 2017 over £165,000 worth of payments from the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
A report by official union watchdog revealed that Lavery, who succeeded Arthur Scargill as president of the NUM, received a loan of £72,500, which was later written off, from a union fund to purchase a property.
It also showed that he and his wife kept £18,000 from an endowment policy taken out on the property; and received a series of termination payments from the union worth nearly £90,000 – even though he only left the job when first elected to Parliament in 2010.
Other said to be interested in the contest, which starts next week, include Keir Stamer Lisa Nandy, Jess Phillips and Yvette Cooper.
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