McDonnell: I’ll stand aside for Diane if need be

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

In an article for the Guardian website this morning, John McDonnell has conceded that he would stand aside so that Diane Abbott can secure the nominations if both cannot secure the support of the PLP required to be on the leadership ballot in their own right.

McDonnell writes:

“Let me make it clear: I think the party is big enough to let us both on to the ballot paper and that is what I am asking Labour MPs to do; but if at the end of this fortnight my standing down would mean securing any woman on this ballot paper, or any black person, of course I will do so. Throughout my political life, principles have always come before career.”

If that comes to pass, and McDonnell does have to concede space to Diane Abbott, it would be a shame. Yes, John McDonnell is another 40-something white male, but he is different from the others standing, in a number of ways. His politics, his background and his never having been in government stand him apart. But his announcement is also fair, and probably inevitable in the circumstances of scarce nominations.

McDonnell also has a subtle swipe at the current declared candidates, saying:

“I am appealing to Labour MPs to nominate so that all the declared candidates get on to the hustings. This would contrast with the leadership elections of the other parties, which were dominated by Oxbridge, middle-class, white males, with barely a political difference between them.”