Long Bailey, Nandy and Phillips make it through to next round of Labour leadership race
2 min read
Labour leadership hopefuls Rebecca Long Bailey, Jess Phillips and Lisa Nandy are through to the next round of the contest.
The three Labour MPs have joined Sir Keir Starmer in receiving the support of at least 22 MPs and MEPs.
New figures released by Labour revealed that Sir Keir now has the support of 59 colleagues, with Ms Long Bailey second on 26.
Both Ms Nandy and Ms Phillips have 22, but it now looks increasingly unlikely that they will be joined in the next round by either Clive Lewis or Emily Thornberry, who have four and seven nominations respectively.
Meanwhile, Barry Gardiner - who announced on Thursday that he was thinking of running - has announced that he won't be after failing to drum up enough support.
Candidates who do make it through to the next stage of the race must receive the backing of either 5% of local party branches or three affiliates, including two trade unions.
Ms Nandy said: "I am so proud to have been nominated by a group of MPs representing different parts of the country and different traditions in our movement, which gives us the best possible mandate to go out and make our case to members that the Labour Party can pull together to give our country the radical, dynamic, compassionate Labour government the country deserves."
Ms Phillips tweeted: “Today I passed the threshold to get to the next stage of the process. Thanks to all MPs and MEPs who nominated me.
“We also passed halfway mark on the crowdfunder, it means so much to be powered by people.”
In the deputy leadership race, Angela Rayner is storming ahead with 71 nominations.
She will be joined into the next stage of the contest by Ian Murray, who has received 29 nominations, while Richard Burgon, Rosena Allin Khan and Dawn Butler are still working to meet the threshold in time for Monday's deadline.
Mr Murray said he was "overwhelmed by the positive response", adding: "I’m now relishing the chance to get out there and speak to members in every region and nation of the UK during the campaign."
Meanwhile, Khalid Mahmood announced that he has dropped out of the deputy leadership contest.
The new leader and deputy leader will be unveiled at a special conference on 4 April.
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