Labour moderates warn against leadership contest 'stitch-up' ahead of crunch meeting
2 min read
Jeremy Corbyn backers are being warned not to “skew” the rules around the Labour leadership contest that could block supporters of moderate candidates voting in the race.
The party’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee (NEC) will on Monday decide the rules and timetable for the race to succeed Mr Corbyn, who announced he was standing down in the wake of the Tories' election victory.
Clive Lewis, Emily Thornberry, Lisa Nandy, Jess Phillips and Sir Keir Starmer have all confirmed they are running, with Rebecca Long Bailey, Ian Lavery and Dan Jarvis also expected to throw their hats into the ring.
Ms Long Bailey is seen as the so-called "continuity Corbyn candidate", and allies of others in the race fear the NEC could stitch up the rules in her favour.
PoliticsHome revealed on Sunday that Ms Long Bailey was recusing herself from the meeting, but Jon Lansman, the boss of Momentum and one of her key campaing advisers, will be in attendance.
The NEC meeting will decide the length of the contest, as well as how much people will have to pay to become "registered Labour supporters" and get a vote.
One moderate Labour MP told the the Telegraph: “The NEC is weighted towards Jeremy Corbyn. They could change the rules to stop new members joining or having a vote, or they could put up the membership fee to £50."
At the moment, they have two weeks after the leadership race begins to join if they want a vote. But if that period is shortened, it could make it harder for moderate candidates like Ms Nandy and Ms Phillips to sign up supporters.
The NEC meeting will also lay out the rules for the deputy leadership election.
The next Labour leader is expected to be in place by the end of March.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
