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Labour’s leadership race took a twist tonight as party chairman Ian Lavery confirmed he is “seriously considering” a bid for the top job.
A spokesman for theJeremy Corbynally told the Mirror he is mulling “all his options” after receiving “tremendous” support.
The move could split left-wing backing between ex-miner Mr Lavery and Shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey – who was previously seen as Corbyn allies’ favored candidate .
In a statement after a weekend of speculation, a spokesman for Mr Lavery said: “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.”
Labor’s ruling body will meet on January 6 to consider the timetable before the race formally kicks off on January 7.
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Rebecca Long-Bailey has widely been seen as Corbyn allies’ favored candidate(Image: WPA Pool)
Ms Long-Bailey was publicly backed by Corbyn ally Richard Burgon and has been promoted by Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell.
But she has kept a comparatively low profile since the election. The Sunday Times reported some Corbyn allies had voiced doubts about whether she was well-known enough.
One senior left-winger voiced doubts over whether Mr Lavery would mount a full candidacy next month.
They claimed: “He is responding to pressure from some quarters because Becky has not yet launched. Once Becky has launched I think that will disappear. ”
A union source suggested Mr Lavery was being urged to run because Ms Long-Bailey’s campaign had not picked up the momentum some hoped for.
But the major unions have yet to back a candidate, and one source voiced doubts over whether either Ms Long-Bailey or Mr Lavery would win over the membership.
Candidates need 21 MPs’ backing to make the ballot paper before they face a vote by Laborer’s (***************************************************************, or so members, with a new leader in place by the end of March.
Many members joined from to back Jeremy Corbyn – but tens of thousands others have been urged to return to the party to vote.
Mr Lavery with shadow ministers John McDonnell, Angela Rayner and Dawn Butler(Image: Christopher Furlong)
Bookies’ Favorite Keir Starmer has said he could run alongside Wigan MP Lisa Nandy, Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry, and former Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Left-wing votes could also be drawn to Clive Lewis, who has suggested the party had not gone far enough to break with the Blair and Brown era.
Jess Phillips, Dan Jarvis andDavid Lammyare also tipped to join the race.
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Blasting “cronyism” at the top of the party and Mr Corbyn’s “anti-western worldview”, the MPs argued poorer voters backed the Tories after they “simply didn ‘t believe “Laborer’s vast spending plans, or did not see the relevance to their lives.
Those signing the letter to the Observer included Emma Reynolds, Mary Creagh , who had chaired the Commons Environment committee, Phil Wilson who sat in Tony Blair’s old seat, and Anna Turley whose Redcar seat was taken by a 26 – year-old Tory.
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