Chuka Umunna confirms bid for Labour leadership
Labour politician Chuka Umunna has confirmed his plans to run to become his party’s leader.
The MP for Streatham, who has been Shadow Business Secretary since 2011, confirmed his plans to run to replace Labour leader Ed Miliband, who resigned last week following a crushing election defeat.
He is the second candidate to confirm his plans to stand, following Liz Kendall – with Andy Burnham, Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and out shadow Commons leader Angela Eagle also thought to be exploring running.
A number of other touted candidates, including Dan Jarvis and ex-MP David Miliband, have ruled themselves out of the contest.
Mr Umunna announced his plans in a video on, Facebook saying: “We’ve got to do better if we want to win next time.
“I’m pleased today to be announcing I will be standing for the leadership of the party. I think we can and should be winning in seats like Swindon… north, south, west and east – we can absolutely win as a party.
“Some have actually suggested in recent days it is now a 10-year project to get the party back into office. I don’t think we should have any truck with that.
“I think the Labour party can do it in five years. I want to lead that effort as part of a really big Labour team getting Labour back into office… and building a fairer and more equal society. That is why we all joined the party in the first place.”
North, South, East, West – Labour can and must win in 2020. – C
Posted by Chuka Umunna on Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Labour’s deputy leader Harriet Harman – who is serving as acting leader until a new leader is chosen – has also announced she plans to step down, leading to a second leadership vacancy.
Out MP Chris Bryant was promoted to the Shadow Cabinet this week.
