New MP Keir Starmer has poured cold water on suggestions he could run for Labour leader – saying the party needs some “with more political experience”.
The former Director of Public Prosecutions has only been an MP for a week, but that did not stop supporters setting up an online campaign encouraging him to run for the top job. However, this morning he said he was “flattered” by the supporters, but that he would not be running:
V flattered by #keirforleader initiative and thanks for so many supportive messages but Labour needs s/one with more political experience.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 17, 2015
Starmer was selected to take on Frank Dobson’s old inner-London seat Holborn & St Pancras, and was elected with a majority of over 17,000. The ‘Keir for Leader’ campaign may have been a long-shot from the outset, but it has attracted wide interest – former London Mayor Ken Livingstone said it showed why a wider field was needed in the contest:
Not backing any candidate at present but #keirforleader movement shows we need a broad field & MPs must offer members a wider choice
— Ken Livingstone (@ken4london) May 15, 2015
More from LabourList
LabourList-Survation poll: Reeves sees approval plummet among Labour members after Spring Statement
Survation poll: Labour members expect Reform victory in Runcorn by-election
Spring Statement and welfare reforms ‘will lose votes’, Labour members say – as poll shows most back a wealth tax