Chuka Umunna, one of the favourites in the race for the leadership of Britain’s recently defeated opposition Labour Party, unexpectedly withdrew his candidacy yesterday, citing an unwillingness to be subjected to uncomfortable scrutiny.
Mr Umunna announced his decision to run only three days ago, saying he thought he could put the party back on its feet.
But yesterday, the London MP and shadow business secretary said he was pulling out of a race bookies had tipped him to win, fuelling speculation Britain’s Sunday newspapers may have been planning to run an awkward story about him or someone close to him.
“Since the night of our defeat last week I have been subject to the added level of pressure that comes with being a leadership candidate,” Mr Umunna said in a statement.
“I have not found it to be a comfortable experience. Consequently, after further reflection I am withdrawing my candidacy.”
Too early
Mr Umunna (36) said he feared it had been too early to challenge for the top job and said his biggest concern was about the impact of his bid on those close to him.
Ed Miliband, the previous Labour leader, resigned last Friday, saying he took responsibility for the rout that saw the party virtually wiped out in Scotland and failing to win key swing seats in England. Labour has said it will announce its new leader on September 12th after a process that has already triggered a battle to shift its political stance.
Remaining
Candidates remaining in the leadership contest include Yvette Cooper, the party’s home affairs spokeswoman, Andy Burnham, the party’s health spokesman, Liz Kendall, a health spokeswoman, and Mary Creagh, a spokeswoman for international development. Former culture secretary Ben Bradshaw, who is reportedly considering running for the Labour deputy leadership, said Mr Umunna was a “terrible loss”, because he was the candidate the Conservatives “feared the most”.
He said the shadow business secretary’s decision to pull out of the race was “absolutely tragic” and a “sad indictment” of society.
Lucy Powell, who was vice- chairwoman of Labour’s election campaign and was also in charge of Mr Miliband’s leadership contest in 2010, wrote on Twitter: “Chuka Umunna is a talented and decent politician. Whatever has led him to withdraw, it can’t be right. He’s been driven to it by intrusion.” – (Reuters)