Labour leadership: Contenders set out stalls on leadership and Brexit

labour

Candidates hoping to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader have questioned the party’s manifesto choices while opening up dividing lines on Brexit. Sir Keir Starmer said its election offer was “over-loaded” while both Lisa Nandy and Jess Phillips said voters did not trust its free broadband pledge.

Ms Phillips also said she would not rule out rejoining the EU if Brexit turned out not to be a success. She said she would not change her view that the UK was “better off” in the EU. Sir Keir and shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry – both strong supporters of another referendum before the election – said Labour’s focus as an opposition should now be on ensuring Boris Johnson negotiated the best economic and trade partnership with the EU. Five candidates, also including Clive Lewis, have so far entered the race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn.(BBC)…[+]