Jeremy Corbyn ally backs review of Labour leadership ballot rules
2 min read
A key ally of Jeremy Corbyn has backed changes to the Labour rulebook to make it easier for a left-wing candidate to take part in any future leadership contest.
Jon Trickett said it was “important that every tendency within the party is represented on the ballot paper”.
The left of the party is expected to push for a change at the upcoming Labour conference that would lower the barrier for their preferred candidate to getting on a leadership ballot.
Under the so-called ‘McDonnell amendment’ – named after the Shadow Chancellor who failed to get the necessary nominations in 2007 and 2010 – the backing of just 5% of MPs and MEPs would be needed to stand.
As it stands 15% are required to vote for a prospective candidate to secure their place on the ballot – a proportion Mr Corbyn only just managed to secure in 2015.
The proposed change was expected to be a major battle in the party – but since Mr Corbyn performed better than expected at the general election it is unclear how strong the opposition remains.
Mr Trickett, the Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, today refused to back that proposal outright – but he spoke strongly in favour of it when asked on the BBC’s Daily Politics.
“Whenever there’s a leadership election it’s important that every tendency within the party is represented on the ballot paper,” he explained.
“And a rule which prevents a section of the right or the left or the centre from getting on the ballot paper is a bad rule.”
He insisted he was making “an argument for looking carefully about how we conduct leadership elections and I think that debate can be had and ought to be had”.
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