Ian Lavery backs Burnham for leader

Ian Lavery, the MP for Wansbeck, has said that he will be backing Andy Burnham to be Labour’s new leader.

Earlier this week, we reported that some within the party were talking up the possibility of Lavery himself standing for leader. He said that a number of people from across the country had asked him to do so – noting that there is a significant amount of support for the party to elect a working class leader. However, he has now ruled himself out as a possible candidate.

Yesterday, Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced that he would be standing. Joining him so far in this race are Shadow Minister for Care and Older People Liz Kendall, Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna, and Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.