Labour Party branch channels big Eurovision energy to announce who they’re backing in the leadership contest
A Labour CLP added some Eurovision sparkle to its leadership challenge nominations. (Getty(
Cries for the Labour leadership election to be more like the Eurovision Song Contest appear to have finally been heard.
Labour is currently on what feels like week 74 of its leadership contest, with Sir Kier Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Lisa Nandy and Emily Thornberry all vying to succeed Jeremy Corbyn.
With more than two months to go until the new leader and deputy are announced on April 4, a local party branch has decided to inject a little sparkle into proceedings.
The Guildford and Cranleigh Constituency Labour Party (CLP) announced its nominations with the camp air of a Eurovision presenter, awarding its 12 points to Thornberry and 10 points to Dawn Butler, who is running for deputy.
Politcal journalist Marie Le Conte was among those to congratulate “the gay running this account”.
who’s the gay running this account, I like them https://t.co/BsEDh3j5xB
— Marie Le Conte (@youngvulgarian) January 22, 2020
I think it’s a bit of a sign that a Labour CLP who shares my leadership preferences decides to announce them in the style of Eurovision. ? https://t.co/1NubNI8ObU
— Peter Collins ?♂️ (@PTRCLLNS) January 23, 2020
However not everybody was impressed. William Tench, a Lib Dem LGBT+ representative, insisted that Eurovision was “*our* thing”, and gave Labour an unflattering critique.
Labour is the friend who turns up to your Eurovision party, eats all the Swedish canapés and complains loudly throughout the Australian entry
— William Tench ? (@WPTench) January 22, 2020
Despite the Guildford and Cranleigh CLP’s backing, neither Thornberry or Butler are yet to secure a place on the final ballot.
To stand in the all-member election, a candidate must win the support of either three affiliates (including at least two trade unions) that represent at least 5 per cent of affiliated members, or nominations from 33 CLPs.
So far only Starmer and Nandy have won the necessary support. Long-Bailey is also expected to make it onto the final ballot.
The fifth candidate, Jess Phillips, dropped out of the race on January 21, conceding that she was not the person to unite the party.
In the deputy race, Rayner is the clear frontrunner with the backing of four affiliates and 32 CLP nominations. Neither Butler, Rosena Allin-Khan, Ian Murray or Richard Burgon have yet managed to reach double figures.
