The Labour leadership race officially started on Wednesday and five MPs, Andy Burnham, Ed Balls, David Miliband, Ed Miliband and Diane Abbott, will be contesting for the top party post.
They all received the necessary minimum of 33 nominations from Labour MPs by the deadline of 12.30 pm on Wednesday, the Labour party announced. Voting will take place through September and the successful candidate will be announced before the start of the Labour party’s annual conference on September 25.
Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP Diane Abbott is the only woman and only black and ethnic minority candidate in the fray for the election to be held in autumn. She will be contesting against the Miliband brothers, Mr Burnham and Mr Balls, all of whom were senior ministers in the Labour government.
Ms Abbott got 33 nominations after Labour MP John McDonnell withdrew from the race and urged his supporters to back the black MP. Labour party’s acting leader Harriet Harman, who nominated Ms Abbott, said, “Over the next few months over 4 million people will have the chance to help shape Britain’s progressive future by choosing the next leader of the Labour party.”
“This process will involve Labour party members, supporters in our affiliated trade unions and the wider public. This leadership contest is Labour’s opportunity to take forward the rebuilding for our party for the future challenges ahead,” she added.
GMB union general secretary Paul Kenny said he was “pleased” with the nomination of Ms Abbott. “This will ensure there is going to be a much wider debate in the hustings. There are wide-ranging differences between the candidates.”