Momentum bosses back Rebecca Long Bailey and Angela Rayner Labour leadership ticket
2 min read
Momentum bosses have called on the group's members to back Rebecca Long Bailey and Angela Rayner to take on the Labour leadership after Jeremy Corbyn stands down.
The influential campaigning organisation said Labour must be "led by a new generation of left wing MPs".
Ms Long Bailey is vying to succed Mr Corbyn as leader, and her endorsement by Momentum is unsurprising as the group's founder, Jon Lansman, is on her campaign team.
But the group's decision to back Ms Rayner for deputy leader is likely to prove contentious with many on the left of the Labour Party - including John McDonnell and Diane Abbott - who are backing Richard Burgon's bid for the role.
Momentum's members will now be balloted on whether they back the decision, which was taken by its top decision-making body.
The move came after Ms Long Bailey, the Shadow Business Secretary, urged Momentum chiefs to throw their weight behind her close friend and flatmate, Ms Rayner.
A Momentum spokesperson said: "We need a new generation of left wing MPs to lead our party and build on Labour’s popular policy agenda.
"Our co-ordinating group believe Rebecca Long-Bailey is the only viable candidate who will build on Labour's vision for the future, deepen democracy in the party and unite all of our heartlands at the next election.
"We also need a leadership team who trust each other, work well together and will lead a united front against the Tories, and that's why our co-ordinating group have recommended support for Angela Rayner.
"While it’s important left candidates get the support they need, this is a huge decision and that's why we're balloting our members.
"This leadership election will decide the future of our party, and we are planning a huge, people-powered campaign to make sure Labour is led by a new generation of left wing MPs."
Both Ms Long Bailey and Ms Rayner have each received the support of more than 22 MPs and MEPs, meaning they are through to the next round of the leadership contest.
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