The second stage of the Labour leadership contest kicks off today as nominations open for affiliated groups – including trade unions – and constituency Labour parties pick a leadership candidate to support. There are five hopefuls still in contention to succeed Jeremy Corbyn: Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Jess Phillips, Lisa Nandy and Emily Thornberry. Over the next month, each will need to either win the support of three affiliates or 33 CLPs in order to reach the final stage of the contest – where the membership has the final say.
With the race now out of the control of the Parliamentary Labour Party, the issue of which candidate is most liked by MPs starts to become a side point. Keir Starmer remains the favourite to win and has already won the backing of Unison. Meanwhile, his main rival Rebecca Long-Bailey is expected to win the support of Unite.
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