John McDonnell has withdrawn from the race to be Labour leader; Left Foot Forward is calling on all 16 MPs who nominated him, to throw their backing behind Diane Abbott.

John McDonnell has withdrawn from the race to be Labour leader. With two hours left till nominations close, Left Foot Forward is calling on all 16 MPs who nominated him to throw their backing behind Diane Abbott, who currently has 11 nominations, to ensure she has the best possible chance of getting on the ballot paper.

If all those who backed McDonnell switch to Abbott, this leaves 36 of Labour’s 258 MPs yet to nominate – if just six of these nominate Abbott, she’ll get on the ballot paper, and if just two back Andy Burnham, he too will get on the ballot paper.

As it stands, official nominations are: Abbott (11), Ed Balls (33), Burnham (31), David Miliband (74), Ed Miliband (57).

There have already been calls for on David and Ed Miliband and Ed Balls to tell MPs that they should nominate other candidates “to see the widest possible field of candidates in the leadership election”, while Compass is urging people to email those MPs yet to submit their nominations “to try and ensure all six declared candidates get on the ballot paper”.

12 Responses to “Nominate Diane now”

1. 

   SadButMadLad

   June 9, 2010

   Diane Abbot’s peers are the ones in a position to know whether or not she is a suitable candidate for leadership. If they think she isn’t then the debate has occured over whether or not she is the right candidate.

   Looking at the support levels for David it would be a very unusual situation to have Diane win the leadership battle. In such a case why have her on the candidate list JUST to have a wide field of candidates.

   Are you saying that MPs are so out of touch with their electorate that the Unions and the membership will vote in totally opposite way. In which case you should be calling for the resignations of all Labour MPs who supported David.

   Why haven’t you pushed for a gay candidate? That would really widen the field of candidates?

2. Nominate Diane now « The best Labour blogs

   June 9, 2010

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