Corbyn secures his place on the Labour leadership contest list
IN A SURPRISE, last-minute addition to the slate of Labour leadership hopefuls, the left-wing MP for Islington, North Jeremy Corbyn, secured the support of 36 fellow MPs yesterday, just two minutes ahead of the deadline.
Corbyn joined Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall on the ballot, who received the backing of 68, 59 and 36 Labour MPs, respectively. Twenty-eight Labour MPs – including former party leader Ed Miliband, who resigned following Labour’s surprise defeat in the General Election – abstained.
Labour’s new leader and deputy leader will be announced on 12 September, ahead of the party’s annual conference. All Labour party members, affiliate supporters and registered supporters will receive a ballot paper.
Bookmakers say Andy Burnham remains the race’s odds-on favourite. According to Ladbrokes, the shadow health secretary’s odds stand at 4/5, with Liz Kendall a narrow 11/4 second favourite, ahead of Yvette Cooper at 3/1.
Ladbrokes says Corbyn – who received multiple nominations from MPs who said they did not support his candidacy, but wanted to ensure a “full debate” – remains the outsider with 25/1 chances.