Jess Phillips has withdrawn from the Labour leadership contest to replace Jeremy Corbyn, admitting she is not the person to unite the party. The Birmingham Yardley MP failed to secure any union or affiliate backing, despite obtaining 23 nominations from MPs to advance to the next phase.
In a message to supporters, Phillips stated: 'The Labour party will need to select a candidate who can unite all parts of our movement. At this time, that person is not me.' She urged that the tens of thousands who signed up to vote should still have a say in the race, adding: 'This is not the end. It’s the beginning.'
Her rival Keir Starmer is expected to gain votes that would have gone to Phillips. Another contender, Rebecca Long-Bailey, expressed sadness at Phillips's exit, saying all candidates 'get on all right' despite policy differences. Long-Bailey promised to banish 'machine politics' and stamp out abuse within the party.
Long-Bailey was introduced by Labour chair Ian Lavery, who insisted Labour needed a female leader, telling Starmer to 'stand aside.' Lavery praised 'Baileyism' as the next stage in the 'socialist revolution.' A source at a Phillips campaign event noted she seemed to be delivering 'her own elegy,' suggesting campaign difficulties.
