The Labour Party leadership election is underway, with four candidates vying to succeed Ed Miliband: Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper, Jeremy Corbyn, and Liz Kendall. Ballot papers will be sent out on 14 August, with voting by post or online closing on 10 September. The result will be announced on 12 September.
All party members, registered supporters, and affiliated supporters—including those joining via a union—are eligible to vote. The election uses the Alternative Vote system, where voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate secures 50% of first-preference votes, the fourth-placed candidate is eliminated, and their second preferences are redistributed. This process continues until one candidate achieves a majority.
Andy Burnham, MP for Leigh since 2001, has held senior government roles including health secretary, culture secretary, and chief secretary to the Treasury under Gordon Brown. He previously stood for the leadership in 2010. Burnham pledges to widen Labour's appeal by moving beyond the 'Westminster bubble' and supporting 'the aspirations of everyone'. He also vows to take a tougher stance against the government's welfare reforms.
Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary for four years, has been a strong Commons performer against Home Secretary Theresa May. She did not stand in 2010, but now says Labour's 'promise of hope wasn't strong enough'. Cooper promises a 'stronger' economy and a 'fairer, less divided society', with plans to combat child poverty and oppose limits on child tax credit.
Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran left-wing MP for Islington North, entered the race to bring an 'anti-austerity' voice to the debate. Initially seen as an outsider, his candidacy has gained significant support, with polls placing him in the lead. Corbyn pledges to protect public services, increase taxes on the wealthy, scrap Britain's nuclear weapons programme, and abolish tuition fees. He has received backing from major trade unions Unite and Unison.
Liz Kendall, shadow health minister and MP for Leicester West since 2010, was the first to declare her candidacy, calling for a 'fundamentally new approach'. She has been on the shadow front bench since her election. The winner will be announced on 12 September.
