Left-wing British Labour MP Diane Abbott has received enough nominations to stand for the party leadership, it was announced today.
The Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP will stand against former ministers David Miliband, his brother Ed, Andy Burnham and Ed Balls to take over from Gordon Brown.
She reached the necessary 33 nominations after John McDonnell announced earlier today that he was withdrawing from the race. Ms Abbott will be the first black person to contest the Labour leadership.
Voting will take place through September and the successful candidate will be announced before the start of the Labour Party’s annual conference on September 25th.
Acting leader of the Labour Party Harriet Harman, who nominated Ms Abbott, said: “Over the next few months over four million people will have the chance to help shape Britain’s progressive future by choosing the next leader of the Labour Party.
“This will be the biggest and most widespread election of any political party or any organisation in this country.
“The contest will be open, engaging and energising. It will be a chance to invite supporters to join the party to have a vote.
“This debate will involve Labour Party members, supporters in our affiliated trade unions and the wider public. This leadership contest is Labour’s opportunity to take forward the rebuilding for our party for the future challenges ahead.
“Over the coming months the candidates will meet thousands of people in meetings across the country and take the debate over Britain’s progressive future to as wide an audience as possible.”
The Labour Party website revealed that Ms Abbott, Mr Burnham and Mr Balls each received exactly the 33 nominations needed from Labour MPs, while David Miliband amassed 81 and Ed Miliband 63.
Among Ms Abbott’s nominators were David Miliband and former leadership rival John McDonnell, who withdrew from the race this morning in the hope of ushering his fellow left-winger on to the ballot paper.
Shadow foreign secretary Mr Miliband pledged last week to lend his nomination to any of the candidates who needed it to ensure they stayed in the race.
PA