Lisa Nandy handed big leadership boost with backing of Jewish Labour Movement
3 min read
Lisa Nandy has been handed a big boost in the party leadership contest as she won the backing of the Jewish Labour Movement.
The Wigan MP gained the support of more than 50% of the group’s members, narrowly defeating Sir Keir Starmer, who got 45.3% of the votes.
But the results were disastrous for Rebecca Long-Bailey, after she picked up just 1.4% of JLM's support - finishing last behind Emily Thornberry, who only got 1.9% herself.
The group also backed Ian Murray for deputy leader, who won out over Rosena Allin-Khan in their ballot.
JLM chair Mike Katz said of Ms Nandy and Mr Murray: “Both demonstrated at our hustings events that they understand the issues facing the party and the need for radical change.
“Lisa Nandy understands that without a change in the culture of our party, our party might have no future.”
In response she said: "I am proud to have received the backing of the Jewish Labour Movement and the thousands of Party members they represent.
“JLM has been affiliated to the Labour Party for a century, and I am honoured that they have put their trust in me to lead our Party back to power."
And Mr Murray said: “JLM has a proud and important place in our party for 100 years, and I want to thank its members for sticking with the Labour Party through the most difficult of circumstances for the Jewish community.”
He added: “As deputy leader I will take personal responsibility for rooting out antisemitism in our party.
“And if it’s not done under my watch then I’ll resign as deputy leader, because I won’t tolerate antisemitism within the Labour Party.”
Elsewhere the TSSA union revealed it was endorsing Keir Starmer for Labour leader, which helps boost his left-wing credentials as the group twice backed Jeremy Corbyn.
It is the fifth trade union to nominate him after UNISON, Usdaw, Community and the Musicians’ Union, and Sir Keir said: “I’m honoured to have been nominated by TSSA to be the next Labour leader and I would like to thank the membership for their support.
“TSSA has been at the forefront of campaigns to invest in our railways and bring them back into public ownership.
“If I’m elected leader, I promise to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our trade unions to unite our movement and take the fight to the Tories.”
The TSSA also nominated Angela Rayner for deputy, and its general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “Our members have chosen two excellent candidates to nominate in the Labour leadership election: Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner.
“We’ll be encouraging our members to vote them through, and give their second preferences to Rebecca and Rosena.
“Onwards for public ownership of our railways under a Keir Starmer-led Labour government.”
Friday is the last day for nominations by unions, affiliates and constituency parties, with only Ms Thornberry not confirmed on the final ballot so far.
The Shadow Foreign Secretary has the backing of 30 local branches, three short of the threshold required to go through to the vote by members.
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