Wednesday 8 January 2020

DEPUTY LEADERSHIP RUNNERS

If you thought some of those running for the party leadership were obscure, take a look at the six MPs bidding to succeed Tom Watson as deputy leader...


Rosena Allin-Khan

Born:  London, 1977
MP for Tooting since 2016 by-election

Current nominations:  3

Verdict:  Unlikely to gather the required 22 nominations to proceed




Richard Burgon

Born:  Leeds, 1980
MP for Leeds East since 2015

Current nominations:  8

Verdict:  Will be the favoured candidate of the hard left and could spring a surprise



Dawn Butler

Born:  London, 1969
MP for Brent Central since 2015, also Brent South (2005-10)

Current nominations:  4

Verdict:  May struggle to gather the required nominations, but won't pose a threat if she does get on the ballot paper



Khalid Mahmood

Born:  Pakistan, 1961
MP for Birmingham Perry Barr since 2001

Current nominations:  1

Verdict:  Won't gather enough nominations to proceed




Ian Murray

Born:  Edinburgh, 1976
MP for Edinburgh South since 2010

Current nominations:  6

Verdict:  Vehement Corbyn critic, but as Labour's only Scotland MP he could gather plenty of PLP nominations north of the border - if he can get past this first stage.  Third place behind Rayner and Burgon.


Angela Rayner

Born:  Stockport, 1980
MP for Ashton-under-Lyne since 2015

Current nominations:  30

Verdict:  Has already surpassed the required nominations to proceed to the next stage and will be the clear favourite.  Unison has already backed her, opting for a Starmer/Rayner leadership.  Rayner herself is backing her pal Long-Bailey for the top job.